Our people

Wayne Naylor

Chief Executive Officer

Wayne joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2021 following on from 9 years with Hospice Waikato in Hamilton as Director of Nursing. Over his nursing career he has worked primarily in oncology, haematology and palliative care. He has been a Research Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Lecturer. Wayne also spent almost four years as a Senior Analyst for the Palliative Care Council of New Zealand before moving to his current role.

Devon Diggle

Senior Advisor

Devon joined Hospice New Zealand from Mary Potter Hospice where he was Director of Strategy and Finance. He brings experience as a leader of major system change within complex and challenging environments. He has experience in health funding, data analysis, health service design, capital infrastructure and property.

Devon has had previous roles at Hospice New Zealand advising on national funding and strategy and with Capital and Coast DHB developing and implementing a regional palliative care strategy. Devon has a BA in Politics and Economics, and an MA in Economics. Prior to joining Hospice, Devon worked for the Ministry of Health and Sapere Research Group.

Gretchen Leuthart

Communications Manager

Gretchen joined the Hospice New Zealand team in October 2021. She brings diverse experience to her role following many years working in communications and stakeholder engagement across the government, consultancy and NGO space. Most recently her focus has been in the community development space where she has worked with Volunteer Service Abroad, ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum, the Common Unity Project Aotearoa and Caritas Aotearoa. Gretchen has a Masters in International Development and her research – in the sphere of cross-cultural competency – explores how trust can be better understood as a way to evaluate and improve Māori and Pākehā relationships.

Rebecca Gibson

Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Rebecca joined the Hospice New Zealand team in May 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in executive administration and office management. Prior to this, she took time out of her career to focus on being a full-time mum to her two young children.

With a strong background supporting senior leadership in global technology companies, including her most recent role at Microsoft UK, Rebecca is known for her professionalism, efficiency, and ability to bring calm to fast-paced environments. Rebecca is deeply passionate about helping people and is committed to making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of others. Rebecca’s approach is grounded in empathy, service, and a genuine desire to support both individuals and teams to thrive.

Jacqui Swain

Education Programmes Manager

Jacqui joined the Hospice New Zealand team in June 2021, moving from the role of Nurse Educator at Hospice Waikato. She is a Registered Nurse and Educator with over 30 years’ experience across palliative care, aged residential care and workforce development. She is passionate about strengthening capability across the health and care sector. Jacqui leads the development and review of national hospice education programmes, supporting accessible, practical and culturally safe learning for clinicians, health care assistants and volunteers throughout Aotearoa. Her work focuses on translating complex clinical concepts into clear, meaningful education that reflects best practice and honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

She brings a collaborative, relational approach to her work and is committed to ensuring high-quality palliative care education is available wherever it is needed.

Gillian Ransom

Fundraising and Partnerships Manager

Gillian joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience in fundraising and philanthropy. She has held key roles at organisations including Plunket, Samaritans, and most recently served as Philanthropy Team Leader at the New Zealand Red Cross. With expertise across individual giving, bequests, corporate partnerships, major gifts, and community fundraising (including street appeals), Gillian is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections between donors and causes.

Heather Kimber

Programme Manager

Heather joined Hospice New Zealand in January 2023, bringing vast experience in project management. Her work has included delivering health and safety workforce initiatives, healthy policy development, public health advocacy, and performance reporting and planning. Heather’s career spans a number of sectors including NGOs, local and regional government and District Health Boards. Heather is passionate about health and wellness, and the impact that wrap around health care services has on people’s lives.

Leah Tonks

Data Analyst and Administrator

Leah joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2019 after 7 years in various roles with Tōtara Hospice. Leah has a strong background in most administrative areas within a hospice including education, volunteering, clinical administration and reporting. Leah's strong interest in Data Analytics have been instrumental in the development of the national Data Commons Infrastructure.

Min Su

Accountant

Min joined the Hospice New Zealand team in 2013 and oversees all aspects of our accounting systems and processes. Min has been working with small to medium not-for-profit organisations for many years and has experience in all areas of financial reporting including monthly management reporting and our year-end audit process. Min is the point of contact for members on all matters relating to accounts.