Ms Janet Copeland, LLB, BCOM, Chair

Janet is the Managing Partner of Workplace Law firm Copeland McAllister Law. Janet has held many governance roles in her career and to date has a passion for the Clutha District having started her law career in Balclutha and with many family members in the District.

Mr Jim Johnstone

Jim joined our Board of Directors in February 2026. Further information to follow. 

Mr Peter Gootjes

Peter joined our Board of Directors in February 2026. Further information to follow.

Mrs Kathy Grant, BA, LLB, PGDip Arts, DFIoD

Kathy has had wide legal experience having taught at the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago and is a former consultant in the Dunedin legal practice of Gallaway Cook Allan. She has had extensive experience in the governance of educational institutions both locally and nationally, has significant governance experience in the commercial sector and was appointed as Commissioner of Southern DHB from 2015 to 2019. Kathy continues to hold appointments in the heath sector and is focused on enhancing rural health delivery. 

Mr Alastair McKenzie 

Alastair has held a diverse range of management roles in a variety of industries with his most recent in HR. Alastair is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors having been a Director of various nationwide companies taking roles of Chairman, Audit & Risk committee, CEO review and appraisal committee and Appointments panel.

Mrs Leanne Samuel, RN, BM, MHSM, FCNA

Leanne is a Registered Nurse and midwife, with a Masters degree in Heath Service Management. She has worked in a variety of health services leadership roles in NZ and Australia, and more recently in governance roles in the community, rural health and with Maori and Pacific Island organisations. Leanne lives and works in Southland.

Ms Alex Tickle, PhD MChem BCH MInstD

Alex is an accomplished Commercialisation Manager for the University of Otago’s technology transfer company Otago Innovation Limited. Alex has held many governance roles in her career, has a passion for innovation in healthcare and animal welfare, and lives on a lifestyle farm in Taieri Beach in the Clutha District.

Mr Peter Williamson, BA

Peter holds Māori ancestry into the Kākā Point district and currently works as a cultural advisor to The School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Otago.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and had previously worked for 14 years as a counsellor for Māori at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin. 

In attendance at monthly meetings is also our Chief Executive Officer, Gary Reed.