IPANZ Board Appoints New Executive Director

IPANZ President Dr Jo Cribb today announced that Shenagh Gleisner will become IPANZ’s new Executive Director, effective from 4 June 2019.

Shenagh will lead the IPANZ office and will be responsible for rolling out the Board’s future strategic direction for IPANZ. Greater focus will be placed on initiating and innovating membership services and enhancing our thought leadership and influence through stronger advocacy and more effective sector engagement – ensuring the voices and issues of the sector are brought to the fore.

Speaking about Ms Gleisner’s appointment, Dr Jo Cribb said, “Shenagh brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of public, private and community sector work. She has a deep passion for excellence in public services and public policy. I am very much looking forward to working with her, in particular, to bring new voices and issues to the attention of the public and policy makers.”

Shenagh has had a varied career as a front-line health manager, a public sector Chief Executive and a Director in a large private consulting firm. She was Chief Executive of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Acting Chief Executive of Child, Youth and Families and held senior roles in a range of other departments. She has worked in senior positions in the State Services Commission and in the health sector. Currently an independent consultant specialising in strategy and governance, she also sits on The Skills Organisation and Emerge Aotearoa Boards of Directors and is Chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

Shenagh holds Master of Science and Master of Public Policy degrees, among other qualifications. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, a member of the Institute of Directors and an Honorary Fellow in the School of Government at Victoria University in Wellington.

Shenagh is based in Wellington, has four grown children and enjoys being a hands-on grandmother. When she isn’t working she engages with the social enterprise sector and is a volunteer guide at Zealandia.