OUR BOARD
Chair
Lisa Clough
Coordinator for the Wairarapa Crohn's and Colitis Support Group
Lisa Clough lives in Masterton, Wairarapa, with her partner Jamie and their very spoilt dog, Max. She works for ANZ as a Branch Area Manager, leading teams across the lower North Island and bringing nearly 20 years of leadership experience in banking.
Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2013, Lisa became involved with Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand shortly afterwards and went on to run the Wairarapa Support Group for 10 years, helping connect and support people living with IBD across the region.
Passionate about advocacy, awareness, and equitable access to healthcare, Lisa has worked alongside patients, clinicians, hospitals, and community groups to improve services for people living with IBD. She played a key role in advocating for the return of specialist gastroenterology support and IBD nursing services to the Wairarapa.
As Chair of Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand, Lisa is committed to ensuring people affected by IBD feel connected, supported, and heard, while helping drive positive change for the IBD community across Aotearoa.
Trustees
Dr Malcolm Arnold
Doctor, Christchurch
Malcolm Arnold is a Scotsman, born in Falkirk in 1961, who graduated MB ChB from Glasgow University in 1984, trained in General Medicine and Gastroenterology in Portsmouth, Southampton and Manchester, then saw the light and moved to Hawera NZ in 1994, then to Hawkes Bay in 2000. He moved to Christchurch in March 2020. He is passionate about gastroenterology, particularly endoscopy, and quality in that field. He is a gastroenterologist and endoscopist in Christchurch Hospital, is Clinical Lead for the National Endoscopy Quality Improvement Programme (NEQIP) and a member of the board of Crohn's & Colitis New Zealand. He is President of the NZ Society of Gastroenterology and proud father of Kristina and Scott and has become a grandfather to the beautiful Luca Kotare Harris in November 2017. He rides (and occasionally spectacularly crashes) motorcycles, and relishes Hawkes Bay reds. He has volunteered as a medic and photographer at five previous Camp Purples, and will be there again at the next camp in January 2021.
Professor Andrew Day
Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Christchurch
Professor Andrew Day is an academic Paediatric Gastroenterologist based in Christchurch. After a period of training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, Dr Day took up a position at Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. He returned to NZ in 2009 to take up an academic appointment with the University of Otago, Christchurch. Andrew has a busy clinical role in Christchurch, and also provides outreach Paediatric Gastroenterology services around the rest of the South Island. He has strong clinical and research interests focussing upon IBD in children and adolescents, with numerous publications and many ongoing research endeavours. Andrew's ongoing research activities are strongly supported by Cure Kids. In addition, Andrew chairs the committee tasked with organisation of Camp Purple Live, New Zealand's annual camp for children and adolescents with IBD.
Mrs Charmaine Rees
Clinical Psychologist, Treasurer, Wellington
Charmaine is a Clinical Psychologist, specialising in rehabilitation, mental health, neurodiversity, and psychological assessments. With a unique background spanning clinical psychology, governance, and senior leadership roles in the public sector, she brings a practical and strategic perspective to board decision-making. She is passionate about improving wellbeing outcomes through evidence-based practice, collaboration, and community engagement. Outside of work, Charmaine enjoys life on her small farm outside of Wellington, where she lives with her family. She loves skiing, hiking, and making the most of New Zealand's outdoors.
Dr Richard Stein
Gastroenterologist, Hutt Valley
Richard is a gastroenterologist from the States, who moved to NZ in 2007. He is a graduate of Columbia University and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He did his GI training at Emory University in Atlanta. In the States he was in private practice, but also on the faculty of the University of Washington School of Medicine. Richard worked for many years at Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Kaitaia Hospitals and is currently a visiting gastroenterologist in Rotorua, Invercargill, and Hawkes Bay. He has always had a strong interest in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. When he lived in the States, he was a trustee and President of the NW Chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. Richard helped organise one of the first camps for children with IBD in the States and his dream was to be involved in creating a camp here in NZ. He moved to NZ in 2007 and became a citizen in 2012. He has a wife, two daughters, and two grandsons who also live in NZ.
Nicole Thornton
RN & CCNZ Ambassador
Nicole Thornton is a passionate advocate for people living with Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has been involved in the IBD community from a young age.
In 2017, at 12 years old, Nicole petitioned the New Zealand Government to improve access to workplace toilets for people with medical conditions when a public toilet is unavailable. Her advocacy led her to testify before the Health Select Committee and, in 2021, she was named a finalist for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year – Local Hero Award. She was also recognised by Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry with a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution to the community.
In December 2020, Nicole launched her “I Can’t Wait” campaign, encouraging businesses to display a sticker in their windows showing that they recognise Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand’s I Can’t Wait cards. The cards provide people with medical conditions who may urgently need a toilet with a way to request access when no public toilet is available. Nicole’s vision is to see I Can’t Wait stickers displayed in businesses across towns and cities throughout New Zealand.
Nicole is also involved with the International Federation of Crohn’s and Colitis Associations (IFCCA) Youth Group, a youth-led organisation that creates relatable, humorous and educational content for young people living with IBD on social media, helping to raise awareness, share experiences and reduce the isolation that can come with living with a chronic illness.
Now 21, Nicole has attended eight Camp Purple camps, most recently as a group leader and continues to be actively involved in the IBD community. Outside of advocacy, she is passionate about fitness and bodybuilding, is studying personal training in Dunedin, and enjoys riding her motorbike.
Nicole is excited to take the knowledge, advocacy experience and passion for patient care she has gained through her journey with Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand into her career as a new graduate registered nurse at Dunedin Hospital.
Employees
Belinda Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Belinda Brown's journey with Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand began in 2014 when she raised funds for the first Camp Purple Live, held in January 2015. She then volunteered as a leader at the first camp and subsequently joined the CCNZ Board as a Trustee. Affectionately known as "Camp Mum" to many campers and volunteers, Belinda continues to play a significant role in the Camp Purple community and remains an active member of the Camp Purple committee.
Although she is the only paid employee of Crohn’s & Colitis New Zealand, Belinda also volunteers her time with Camp Purple Live and several other charities, including the North Shore Hospital Auxiliary. She lives on a lifestyle block in North-West Auckland with her husband and an ever-growing assortment of animals. Her daughter is now out making her own way in the world, and with her first grandchild due soon, family remains at the centre of her life.
Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 26, Belinda knows first-hand the realities of living with IBD. That experience has shaped her passion for helping others and her dedication to supporting the IBD community through her work with CCNZ, Camp Purple Live, and beyond.
