our team

Jo Kelly

BCom, CS, MInstD

Director

Jo Kelly is a highly experienced Company Secretary who has worked across a range of industries including private companies, publicly listed companies, public-sector, not-for-profits, and several of New Zealand’s largest major sporting events. Jo is also a Director of University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ).

Jo leads the IGS team of governance support specialists and provides advisory services, with a focus on helping organisations use governance to advance their organisation’s mission and purpose in a meaningful way.

Jo is also the Trust Manager of the Kelliher Charitable Trust. In this role she is responsible for supporting New Zealand communities through charitable grants and furthering economics through research and scholarships.

Jo has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland, and a background in both sports administration and accountancy, with a strong focus on strategy and stakeholder relations and a modern, pragmatic approach to governance.

Jo is based in Auckland.

Lenna Taylor

BA, PGDipComms

Governance Support Specialist

Lenna holds a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from University of Auckland and a Postgraduate Diploma in Communications (PR) from AUT University. She is currently in her final stages of completing her MA (Psychology) from Massey University.

Lenna has a background in communications, research, and executive and governance administration. Her governance experience includes coordinating the Australian Institute of Company Director’s magazine and online publications as a communications executive, a board secretary and executive assistant to the Chair of publicly-listed, private and NFP entities, as well as a researcher specialising in executive search and director recruitment.

Lenna is based in Auckland.

Kylie Mooney

BA, Grad DipBus

Governance Support Specialist

Kylie is a skilled senior executive with experience on both corporate and not-for-profit boards.

Kylie’s previous roles were CEO and COO for the law firm Meredith Connell where she was responsible for IT, risk management, finance, HR, marketing and all operational functions. She has also worked as an independent contractor providing change management and project management support.

With a keen interest in governance, Kylie is currently on the Board for The Turner Centre, the Far North’s largest theatre and conference venue.

Kylie is based in Northland.

Jessica Blackie

DipMktg / DipBus (Leadership and Management)

Governance Support Specialist

Jessica has over 15 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant and Board Secretary, working across a number of industries including accounting, professional services, advertising, tourism, education, iwi and most recently in kiwifruit. Jessica demonstrates loyalty, and possesses a conscientious attitude, combined with a forward-thinking approach to service delivery, supporting businesses to succeed. Relationships are at the heart of everything Jessica does, so rest assured that she will become a part of your team.

Jessica’s experience has enabled her to support multiple Boards and Committees at any one time, as well as supporting with establishing new Boards as part of joint venture partnerships.

Having graduated with a Diploma of Marketing and a Diploma in Business, she has a keen eye for detail and a strong focus on leadership and culture within an organisation.

Jessica is based in Tauranga.

Lauren Bruce

BCom, MBus, CA, CMInstD

Governance Support Specialist

Lauren is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) and Master of Business (Finance, Distinction) from the University of Otago.

Lauren has been the Executive Director of Heartland Investments Limited (an investment syndicate business) for over 15 years, the Executive Officer of the Health Consumer Service Trust for six years, and has recently been appointed as a Trustee of the Midlands Sexual Assault Support Services Trust.

Lauren has experience in both board secretarial services and as a Director, so understands the importance of ensuring that a board functions efficiently and performs effectively.

Outside of work commitments, Lauren has three school age children, enjoys an active lifestyle, and has a love of musical theatre.

Lauren is based in Hamilton.

Melissa Perkin

LLB

Governance Support Specialist

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland. She was admitted to the Bar as a barrister and solicitor, with a varied career in the legal sector, having worked in the courts, legal professional services organisations and in decision writing.

Melissa has particularly strong skills in risk management, stakeholder relationship management and policy generation; her varied governance background includes being committee secretary for a number of representative committees for the Auckland District Law Society Inc and as Executive Director of the New Zealand Bar Association.

Melissa is based in Auckland.