Our organisational efforts rely on the collaboration of many outdoor representatives and supporters. This includes our board, member organisations and funders who all strive for improved outdoor safety in New Zealand. You can also contact our MSC team on the Contact Us section.
Our Board
Richard Davies | Chair
Tourism Policy Manager | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
He joined MBIE in early 2018 after 5 years as Recreation Manager at the Department of Conservation. Before joining MBIE, Richard held various roles in the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Economic Development.
Richard holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce and Administration; and a Masters of Public Management from Victoria University of Wellington.
Richard also served as President of the Federated Mountain Clubs from 2010-2012, and has served on numerous club committees for the Victoria University Tramping Club and Wellington Section of NZAC. He very occasionally gets out in boots, running shoes, bike shoes or skis to explore the outdoors.
Karen Leacock | Deputy Chair
General Manager | NZ Alpine Club
Murray Douglas | Board Member
Dairy Farmer | Wildlife Guide
I am an owner and director of a family Dairy farming business with operations in Northland and South West Bahia in Brazil. Our business in both environments has been about making best use of available resources and building a “brand” to create opportunities. We employ nearly 50 people between the two countries with a strong emphasis on growing people. My governance experience has been with a range of organisations, the largest being with Fonterra as a Shareholders Councillor for 12 years including serving on sub committees of the Board. I enjoy the outdoors and along with time in NZ have been self-guided wilderness expedition canoeing on multiple trips of about 3 weeks in length in Arctic Canada. This has led me to the opportunity of Wildlife guiding on Tundra Wolves, Caribou, Polar Bear and Musk Ox! MSC laid the groundwork of knowledge that has allowed me to achieve this.
Sarah Haddon | Board Member
Safety Management Systems Lead | MetService
Sarah has been an operational meteorologist at MetService since 2013, which is soon to be part of the Earth Sciences NZ group. During this time, Sarah has held various roles covering safety and risk management as well as technical testing and media engagement.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Business Studies in Financial Economics from MasseyUniversity;and a Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology from Victoria University of Wellington.
Ina previous (pre-children) life, Sarah enjoyed snowboarding, most frequently on Mt Ruapehu, however with a young family of 5 most of this has been temporarily put on hold.
Professor Jordy Hendrikx | Board Member
Chief Executive, Antarctica New Zealand
Jordy is internationally recognised as a leading interdisciplinary cryosphere/snow scientist, with publications spanning from climate change impacts on snow, to avalanche forecasting, hazard mapping, hydrology and decision-making science. He has worked in both the Arctic and Antarctic, with extensive experience leading and supporting research.
Before joining Antarctica New Zealand, he was the Director of the Snow & Avalanche Laboratory and a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Montana State University for over 12 years. He served as Department Head for Earth Sciences, and as the Director of Liberal Studies. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences for the Arctic University of Norway.He has also worked as a Snow and Ice Scientist at NIWA and as a researcher and avalanche technician on the MilfordRoad.
He has had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and sharing this with others, in particular for snow, avalanches and the mountains.
Stephen Day | Board Member
Communications Manager, Outdoor Access Commission
Stephen joins the Mountain Safety Council board with a background in communications and storytelling and a connection to the outdoors. Based in Wellington, Stephen is the communications manager at Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, where he helps promote free, enduring, practical access to the outdoors and awareness of the commission’s world-class digital mapping system of public outdoor access. His professional experience is complemented by a passion for trail and mountain running.
Catherine Wilson | Board Member
Director Heritage & Visitors, Department of Conservation
Catherine is the Director, Heritage and Visitors at the Department of Conservation. She is responsible for oversight of DOC’s visitor network, including its visitor safety system. Over the past decade, she has worked across the natural resources sector of government, including at Biosecurity New Zealand and the Ministry for the Environment.
Previously, Catherine worked as a consultant to a range of businesses, NGOs and government departments supporting strategy and communication, and spent18 months in the UK Prime Minister’s Office, based at 10 Downing Street. She has also worked as a journalist at Radio New Zealand, the UK Press Association and had a brief stint at the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia.