Our executive team

Lisa Martin - President

Lisa is the Director of Complex Care Group, a national organisation.  Complex Care Group provides information and support for family's and carers who are provideing an intensive level of care for a disabled child/young adult.  Lisa is the proud mother of a 24yr old man with autism and intellectual disability. She has a particular interest in the support needs of those with high and complex needs.

Brian Eriksen - Treasurer

Brian is the General Manager of the Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre Trust. He has over 25 years of experience in the disability sector and he sits on many Boards and Committees in his community. A former Federation President, Brian continues to serve as our Treasurer. A great rugby fan and former coach, he has also been described as a golf nut who can count to 80!

Noel Matthews - Committee

Noel has worked in the disability sector for 14 years as CEO of NorthAble. He was initially introduced to this sector when he first left school as a Psychiatric Assistant to work in Tokanui Hospital during the 80s. Noel is really proud to be a former President, and as an Executive member of the Federation he understands the defining opportunity we all have in the development of a new and better way of working.

Debbie Roe - Committee

Debbie has been part of the disability sector since 2005. Beginning in Invercargill with the Disability Resource Centre Southland and from 2015 as General Manager of the Disability Information Service Otago. She has spent time over these years in project management roles for the Federation, administering consumer consultation projects for the Ministry of Health. She values and enjoys people, sharing in their stories and journey and helping people source what they need to be informed and make choices that are right for them. Her philosophy is simple, best reflected in these words, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. It is people, it is people, it is people.

Julie Paalvast - Committee

Previously working in accountancy and passionate about people Julie was able to transfer her skills to charity when she started with The Disabled Persons Centre Trust T/A Aspire Canterbury in 2019. Julie says "The New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres is extremely important to me.  There is strength in having a national footprint, allowing a greater reach for the people we serve to experience information, products and services.  An ability to assist all the people that contact us regardless of age, gender, race or disability." 

Bronwen Foxx - Committee

Bron has been the Chief Executive Officer for the Disabilities Resource Centre Trust for the past twenty four years. She has served on the Chamber of Commerce for sixteen years with two tenures as President. A former Federation President and a Life Member, Bron has over 24 years of governance and senior management experience. As a recognised leader she is regularly asked to be an advisor to government on health and disbility matters. Bron is dedicated to supporting and enhancing our Members ability to continue to deliver exceptional services.

Michelle Riwai - Committee

Currently General Manager of Enable New Zealand, Michelle brings knowledge and experience with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Strategic Planning, Business Process Improvement, Social Housing, Change Management, and Facilitation. Michelle is a strong community and social services professional.

Carol Wood - Executive Officer