The BrainTree Team
The Canterbury Brain Collective - a partnership between Multiple Sclerosis & Parkinson's Canterbury, and Dementia Canterbury - was established in 2017, with the goal of developing a wellness centre for local people living with neurological conditions. This wellness centre is called BrainTree.
The new BrainTree facility is the base for our two founding partner organisations, as well as other like-minded non-profit organisations in Ōtautahi-Christchurch. It provides a space for people and their whānau to connect with others who understand the condition, as well as encourage engagement with the support services, information and activities available in our community.
To read more about the BrainTree Wellness Centre project, head over to the project page.
Our Staff
Centre Manager
Phil wants to help other people living with these neurological conditions to live a better life. He also sees BrainTree as a great opportunity to put his broad commercial, management and property experience to good use to develop a first of its kind holistic wellness centre for brain health in New Zealand.
Project & Events Coordinator
Ange joined the Braintree team as Project & Events Coordinator and adds extensive expertise in supporting business executives, business units, office administration and customer service, having worked in both private and public sector organisations in a variety of roles.
Front of House Manager
Having a family member with very high physical and cognitive needs, the transition to working in special education was an easy one, enabling children from a variety of ages and backgrounds the opportunity to become the best they can be, and the skills to lead full-filling lives.
Our Board of Directors
Director
Maria O’Halloran has been the CEO of Ballantynes since 2013. With a proven history of broad commercial acumen, and expertise in strategy, transformation, and execution. A passionate brand guardian, focussed on positive outcomes through collaborative strategy in line with company values.
Director
Michael Aitken brings with him significant experience in the delivery and management of health care, as well as experience in multiple governance roles.
Chairman of Directors
As Chairman of Directors, Graeme Marriott brings with him considerable governance and organisational management experience.
Director
Simon Challies knows first-hand what it’s like living with Parkinson’s. Before joining the Canterbury Brain Collective, Simon was Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive of Ryman Healthcare.
Director
Anne-Marie is the President of MS & Parkinson’s Society Canterbury and is dedicated to improving and increasing services to the society’s members enabling them to live well with their conditions.
Director
Brendan Prendergast brings with him a strong commercial background, with significant experience and expertise in relationship building, property development, logistics and supply chain management.
Assistant
Judith had been considering volunteer work for some time, and when the call went out for volunteers for BrainTree, she jumped at it. BrainTree resonated with Judith as her husband had previously had a stroke, and two members of her family had Alzheimer’s, so this was a cause very close to her heart.