Meet the Aotearoa Diabetes Collective
Trust Board
The board members of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective Trust act as the governing body of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective Ltd. Their role is to the strategic direction and oversight of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective Ltd.
Claire Lever (Chair)
She/Her/ia Ngāi Tahu
RN, BMedSc, BN, MN (dist.), PhD Student
Claire is one of the directors and founders of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective. She is an accredited diabetes nurse specialist and has worked as a nurse specialist in the community, in diabetes pumps, and more recently in research. She has a special interest in diabetes technology and equity for Māori.
As a director of ADC Ltd, Claire will remain on the board for a two-year term, to then be replaced by another director.
Dr Jade Tamatea
She/Her/ia Ngāti Maniapōto, Ngāti Kahungunu
PhD, FRACP, MB ChB
Specialist Diabetologist/Endocrinologist at Te Whatu Ora Waikato and Senior Lecturer at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori and Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland.
Jade’s passion is Māori health and sees critique of the health system’s processes as important. Her research interests include investigating ethnic inequalities in health using a Kaupapa Māori Research framework in order to eliminate existing disparities. She has a particular focus on reviewing inequities through a lens of assessing the role a healthcare system plays in perpetuating inequities.
Wrenn Loths
She/They Pākehā
BCGD
Wrenn is a community advocate with 17 of years lived experience with type one diabetes. She is excited to utilise her extensive experience in administration and volunteering in not-for-profit spaces to support the kaupapa of the ADC Trust as a Board Member. Wrenn is particularly interested in ensuring minority groups within the Diabetes community have equitable access to the latest research, resources and support.
Rachael Sampson
She/Her Pākehā
RN, BN, First Class Hons.
Rachael is an accredited diabetes nurse specialist and a founding member of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective. She also lives with Type 1 diabetes. She has a keen interest in quality improvement and contributing to her community.
As an interim board member, Rachael will step off the board as ADC Trust gains a diverse skill mix, however, may return in the future for a two-year term in her role as one of the ADC Ltd directors.
Rachael Hewton
She/Her/Ia Pākehā
BPharm, MPS
Rachael is a community pharmacist, and pharmacy owner based in Murihiku (Southland). She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010. Supporting others with diabetes to understand and benefit from their medicines is a key focus in her pharmacy practice.
Rachael has a range of experience in governance in not-for-profit and community organisations and is excited to be able to bring this to the ADC Trust Board. Rachael is also mum to two young children, Bryce (8) and Edward (6).
Amy Whetu
She/Her Pākehā
LLM (First Class Honours), LLB, BSocSci
Amy is passionate about supporting communities to care for our people and our environment. As a Type 1 Diabetic of over 24 years, the diabetes community is one that she understands intimately. She loves working with people to bring together the most up to date and relevant research, data, policy and advice to create action within businesses, local and central government and our communities within Aotearoa and globally. Amy has over 20 years’ experience in business development, strategy and leadership along with extensive experience in iwi and environmental research & policy development. In addition to her role with ADC, Amy is currently CEO and Director for The Stream, with other appointments including Director for Whetū Group, Functional Director of Durham Precinct and her most important role alongside her husband James, caring for her four children, Millie (16), Rodie (14), Jonas (7) and Alba (4).
Solita Donnelly
She/Her Pākehā
RN, BN, PGDip (dist.)
Solita is an interim member of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective Board. She is an accredited diabetes nurse specialist and one of the founders of Aotearoa Diabetes Collective. Based in Te Kauaeranga, Thames Hauraki region, Solita is passionate about equity for rural populations and has special interests in diabetes technology and digital health being used to improve outcomes for people living with diabetes. Professionally Solita is an active member of multiple RN Prescriber peer groups and a past committee member for the Aotearoa College of Diabetes Nurses.
As an interim board member, Solita will step off the board as ADC Trust gains a diverse skill mix, however, may return in the future for a two-year term in her role as one of the ADC Ltd directors.
Positions vacant
As a new organisation there are some placeholder positions as we recruit trust board members with experience in governance. Our goal is to have a trust board made up of people with a mixture of expertise in governance and diabetes, which includes people who live with diabetes. If you believe you have skills to offer and are interested in becoming a trust board member please contact us at admin@aotearoadiabetescollective.org.nz
