Our People

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Our team has a wealth of experience in the financial sector, includes luminaries in the world of ethical investing, a brilliant customer services team (available to you) and expert Board of Directors.

John Berry

John Berry

Co-Founder, CEO & Resident Wayfinder

John is committed to making ethical investment accessible to all NZ investors. Before co-founding Pathfinder in 2009 John worked in law firms and investment banks in Auckland, London and Sydney. He has a BCom/LLB(Hons) from Auckland University and is a board member of Men’s Health Trust. In 2023 John was awarded as the Sustainable Business Networks Sustainability Superstar.
Wayne Ross

Wayne Ross

Chief Investment Officer, Member of the Ethics & Investment Committee

Wayne is CIO at Pathfinder. He has over 30 years' experience in financial advice, investment management and finance industries having led high-net worth investment teams at Alvarium, Newton Ross, and Sovereign Group. He has extensive direct portfolio management skills as well as fund manager selection, portfolio construction and asset allocation experience.
Hamesh Sharma

Hamesh Sharma

Portfolio Manager

Hamesh joined Pathfinder in April 2019 and primarily manages Australasian equities. Hamesh has 10 years’ financial markets experience, beginning his career as an analyst in the investment strategy team at Goldman Sachs JBWere, after a summer at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Prior to Pathfinder, he co-founded an independent stock market research firm. Hamesh holds a BCom (Hons)/LLB from Auckland University.
Kate Brownsey

Kate Brownsey

ESG Analyst

Kate is our resident environmental, social and governance (ESG) analyst. She also gives her time to causes she is passionate about, which usually have an environmental focus. Kate has a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science from the Auckland University of Technology.
Michael Kenealy

Michael Kenealy

Portfolio Manager

Prior to Pathfinder, Michael was a Portfolio Manager at Mint Asset Management and before that spent 7.5 years at Salt Asset Management. Michael also spent nearly 3 years as an Investment Analyst in Peru working for a Philanthropic fund, having started his career at Goldman Sachs JBWere in New Zealand after graduating with 1st Class Honours from Auckland University (BCom Hons Finance and Economic).
Michael is a CFA Charterholder
William Little

William Little

Senior Investment Analyst

Will has over 12 years’ experience working in the banking and finance industry in New Zealand and the UK. He joined the team in June 2023 and primarily looks after private asset investments. Prior to joining Alvarium, he was in the Corporate Finance team at BDO. Will has a BCom from Otago University and a MSc Finance from the London School of Economics.
Kent Fraser

Kent Fraser

Chair of the Investment Committee

Kent has over two decades of international experience in financial services and corporate leadership. He has held executives roles in the UK, China, and South Korea and provided consultancy services in specialist treasury, debt capital markets and financial risk management for a broad range of enterprises including banks, investment banks, corporate treasury’s, insurance companies and government entities. Group Treasurer and trading roles include HSBC, Heartland Bank, Fonterra and Transpower.

Kent has worked with the Investment Committee for Pathfinder since 2017 and has a Bachelor of Property Administration from the University of Auckland and is a Certified Treasury Professional (INFINZ).
Simon Leach

Simon Leach

Senior Relationships Manager

Simon is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with independent financial advisers and corporates across New Zealand. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management, an Executive MBA through Massey University, and is a member of the Institute of Directors. He is people-focused and enjoys both the relationship and technical sides of his role, with past experience ranging across both private and public sectors.
Bryony Greenhalgh

Bryony Greenhalgh

Relationships Manager

Bryony is a values-driven relationships enthusiast, with a background in law and philanthropy. She is responsible for building and maintaining Pathfinder’s connections with advisers and corporates across Aotearoa. Bryony is passionate about contributing towards the wellbeing of our planet and future generations, and loves being in a people-focused environment.

She is also Board Member of Headway New Zealand (the Brain Injury Association) and a qualified solicitor.
Jeanette Kassa

Jeanette Kassa

Financial Advisor

Jeanette has 6+ years of experience in financial services, working in both Auckland and Australia. With a Diploma of Financial Planning Personal Advise (RG146) and a New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services, she’s an experienced and passionate financial advisor.
Zinaida Pljakic

Zinaida Pljakic

KiwiSaver Relationship Manager

Zina joined Pathfinder in November 2022 and has over 12 years of experience in customer service within the finance sector. She is responsible for our Pathfinder members, maintaining customer accounts and helping them with questions and queries.

Zina has a Bachelor Degree in Accounting.
Akanksha Chhabra

Akanksha Chhabra

Operations Analyst

Akanksha brings over two decades of expertise in customer service and client-facing positions, collaborating with diverse groups across various industries. Her fervour for sustainability drives her commitment to assisting clients in contributing to the well-being of our planet and future generations.
Lily Richards

Lily Richards

Creative Director

With over 10 years of marketing experience in a variety of industries (such as publishing, creative arts and technology), Lily brings an outsider's eye to the financial industries. Overseeing PR, advertising, communications and brand, Lily is passionate about helping Kiwis harness the power of ethical investing to grow wealth and well-being.
Ana Dermer

Ana Dermer

Marketing and Communications Manager

Ana is a marketing and communications specialist with a strong design and sustainability background that spans over 20 years. She is passionate about helping good companies promote good in the world as a way of staying positive about the future and leaving a legacy for future generations. She has Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma in Multimedia Design from the University of Otago. She has also completed courses in interior design, skiing and photography - her favourite hobbies.
Avinash DeSilva

Avinash DeSilva

Technology Officer

Avi has a passion for using technology to solve complex problems. He has worked in both vendor and in-house tech teams and has led digital transformation programs for some of the biggest names in NZ business. Avi is experienced in guiding organizations through digital innovation and is currently leading the digital transformation journey where he is focused on enabling our teams to do what they do best. He is also studying a Master’s in Information Governance and is building an extensive knowledge base on Privacy Law and modern Cybersecurity practices.
Lizzy Sun

Lizzy Sun

Senior Compliance Officer

Lizzy is responsible for the regulatory and operational compliance for the business. She has over 7 years’ experience in the local finance sector. She is experienced in licensing, AML/CFT, statutory reporting, building and implementing compliance framework into procedures. Lizzy is a member of CPA Australia and ACAMS. Lizzy graduated BBA from Northwood University as Magna Cum Laude and has a Masters Degree in Accounting from AUT.
Pippa Styles

Pippa Styles

Group Financial Controller

Pippa looks after Pathfinder’s financial accounts. She’s had over 20 years’ accounting experience, including in London where Pippa was a member of the Stock Exchange. She has a BCom (Accounting) from Auckland University. Pippa has been generous with her time to family-orientated organisations and charities, including fundraising initiatives.
Sandy Maier

Sandy Maier

Chair of the Board of Directors

Sandy was appointed Chairman of Pathfinder in 2009 and has worked with the Board to maintain high standards of corporate governance over the last decade. He has previously been on the boards of many listed and private NZ companies. Sandy has profound experience as corporate doctor and held senior executive roles in the financial service industry. Sandy has a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Anya Satyanand

Anya Satyanand

Independent Director & Chair of Ethics Committee

Anya is passionate about young people’s role in the future of our economy, communities and democracy. She is currently Chief Executive of Leadership New Zealand and before that Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust NZ. Anya has a B.A. from Canterbury University, a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education and continues her postgraduate study at Victoria University. She brings specialist NGO and ethics skills to Pathfinder.
Brett Gamble

Brett Gamble

Director

Brett has an extensive background in private equity and corporate finance globally working in the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. He is currently CEO of Gough Investments Ltd and Managing Director of Alvarium Investments (NZ) Limited. He holds a number of directorships, including for Mike Greer Homes and Mojo Coffee, and has grown businesses in both ownership and executive roles.
Mei Fong

Mei Fong

Director & Chair of the Compliance Committee

Mei has extensive experience in banking and finance, tax and compliance. She is currently Head of Compliance at Alvarium in New Zealand. She has worked in law firms in Hong Kong, London and Wellington, and has also managed a wine business introducing New Zealand wines to the New York market. Mei has an LLB/BCA from Victoria University in accounting and finance.
Simon Tompkins

Simon Tompkins

Private Wealth, Member of Ethics & Investment Committee

Simon has enjoyed over four decades in financial markets. He joined Alvarium in 2018 when they acquired a controlling interest in NZAM, a company Simon was a principal in since 1997. Prior to NZAM he was an investment banker at Fay Richwhite for twelve years. Simon is a Trustee of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and has a B.Com/LLB from the University of Canterbury