Our leadership team

Clive Nelson has held chief executive roles in the health sector for 14 years and has led the Heart Foundation since August 2019. Clive began his career in the media, travelling worldwide as a journalist before moving into management and senior executive roles. His leadership and governance experience spans commercial, government and not-for-profit organisations. Clive is a trustee of two heart health trusts that support research at the University of Auckland and University of Otago and is a New Zealand representative on the board of the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders' Forum (GCRFF). MBA-qualified, Clive is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors. Married with grown-up children, he lives in Auckland.

Kelly Douglas is an experienced fundraising leader with a strong track record in strategic and collaborative leadership, alongside hands-on delivery.

Kelly has led national teams at Whānau Āwhina Plunket and previously held fundraising roles at Cure Kids and Auckland City Mission. Originally from the North of Ireland, she began her career in the army before moving to New Zealand, where she has lived for 14 years. 

Outside of work, Kelly is a proud mother of a nine-year-old and a keen HYROX enthusiast. 

Debbie joined the Heart Foundation as the Head of Care and Support in February 2023. As an experienced leader with a strong background in the health sector, Debbie brings a high level of operational management skills to the organisation.

Most recently, holding the position of Head of Practice Operations – Health Services at ProCare, Debbie built strong relationships, trust and engagement with local providers and communities. She has also held positions at the Waitematā District Health Board, including General Manager, Surgical Services and General Manager, Medicine & Health of Older People.

Debbie will continue to deliver our strategic plan through motivational leadership while building effective relationships with key partners, public and private.

Outside of work, Debbie enjoys working with her partner to develop their lifestyle block, planting native trees and plants and spending time riding her horses.

Phillipa has held senior marketing, brand and communications leadership positions across a range of service industries in the UK and New Zealand.

Phillipa brings a proven track record of developing impactful campaigns and content that effectively reach and resonate with diverse audiences. Phillipa is dedicated to supporting the Heart Foundation’s purpose through effective marketing and communication strategies, with a strong focus on aligning initiatives to meet consumer needs and expectations.

When she has time, you’ll find Phillipa and her partner playing golf, fishing, or swimming at the beach with their young son.

Justine has more than two decades of experience in nutrition and public health, leading evidence-based initiatives that help New Zealanders reduce their risk of heart disease through creating healthier environments, knowledge and skill building, and community-focused prevention programmes. With a focus on supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to build lifelong food skills and confidence, Justine is also a board member for the Food for Thought Educational Trust. She is deeply passionate about practical, achievable actions that make it easier for people to live well and for longer. 

Mark Simpson began his role as Head of Shared Services in 2020, after serving as Chief Financial Officer since 2016. With a commercial finance background spanning more than 30 years – including KPMG, Banking and Finance, Human Resources and IT company EROAD – Mark enjoys new challenges and has found the move to a social profit organisation exciting. He particularly enjoys making a difference and adding value.

He and his wife have two daughters, both now in their 20s. Travel and sport are his passion.

Professor Gerry Devlin (MB BCh BAO BA MD FRACP FCSANZ FESC) is an Honorary Professor with the University of Waikato and an Honorary Associate Professor with the University of Auckland. He has dedicated his career to advancing cardiovascular health through clinical care and national leadership. 

Gerry is an experienced general cardiologist, with a special interest in the prevention and management of coronary artery disease, hypertension and heart failure. He is also a clinical researcher with over 120 peer-reviewed publications.  

After more than two decades at Waikato DHB, Gerry spent eight years as a cardiologist with Health New Zealand in Tairāwhiti working to improve regional access and outcomes. He continues to practise with the Heart Group in Auckland. 

Gerry is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and moved to New Zealand in 1988. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, and the European Society of Cardiology.

Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga is a public health medicine specialist with extensive experience in public policy, research and public health in New Zealand, the Pacific region and internationally. He was the Director General of the Pacific Community based in New Caledonia for seven years until December 2019.

Alongside his role at the Heart Foundation, Sir Collin is the government appointee to the NZ Health Quality & Safety Commission board and a member of the NZ College of Public Health Medicine Council.

He’s a Niuean New Zealander and a strong advocate for improving health and wellbeing of Pacific people.

Kataraina is of Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu and Ngāti Hine descent and is extremely passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of whānau, hapū and iwi in Aotearoa.

Kataraina brings a wealth of knowledge to the Heart Foundation with over 20 years' experience in the health sector. She aims for good service design creating positive outcomes for Māori.

She also has a strong passion for ensuring a culturally responsive way of being and working, particularly for Ngāi Māori. She combines design thinking methodologies with Māori knowledge to provide leadership, direction to issues facing Māori.

Dave has a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics. He is responsible for overseeing the Foundation's food and nutrition work, including position statements and a range of partnership-related projects that support New Zealanders to have a healthier lifestyle.

A father of three, he enjoys being active, especially running, and is regularly involved in his children’s sports.

Dave has a passion for keeping things real when it comes to food and nutrition and is keen on developing practical initiatives that support families to improve their heart health.