Our team
Interest in environmental certification is growing rapidly and we are fortunate to have an experienced, innovative and passionate team dedicated to using credible methods that are effective for both business and the environment.
Senior Leadership Team
Dr Ann Smith, Chief Executive Officer
PhD Marine Biology (University of London), Personal Chair in Environmental Management for Business (University of Hertfordshire), BSc Hons Botany and Psychology (University of Adelaide)
Ann leads Enviro-Mark Solutions with passion, dedication, and vision. Under her guidance, our strategic direction blends scientific credibility with business know-how. She has a varied history, including academic research, sustainable development strategies, and programme development and has been with the CEMARS and carboNZero programmes from the early days. She divides her time between Christchurch and Auckland and whenever she has a spare moment, Ann can be found in her garden, knitting, or admiring her grandchildren.
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Dr Belinda Mathers, General Manager Technical
PhD Chemical Engineering (Monash University), BEng Hons Chemical and Process Engineering (Canterbury University)
Belinda manages our technical team and oversees our technical delivery to ensure we keep on top of scientific research, changes in best practice, and business needs. She has extensive experience in developing and maintaining technical competency and systems. As an engineer she has a focus on efficiency, and works closely with the team to best use our range of expertise. Belinda is a keen mountain biker and sea kayaker and loves to explore new places whenever possible. In an emergency she might be found supporting our community as part of a Civil Defence team.
Dr Brent Martin, IT Solution Architect
PhD Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence (Canterbury University), MSc Computer Science - Machine Learning (Waikato University), BSc Computer Science and Physics (Waikato University)
Brent designs and builds IT solutions for our clients and internal systems. His software engineering expertise comes from decades of experience with top software and internet companies as well as teaching computer science and software engineering at the university level. Brent has a strong interest in climate change and environmental action, and is part of various environmental and heritage groups. When not working, he can be found tending his orchard and vegetable gardens, walking in the hills, or playing music and singing in various local groups.
Josephine Rudkin-Binks, General Manager Sales & Marketing
BTEC Higher National Diploma Business and Finance (London Metropolitan University)
Josephine leads our Sales and Marketing team. She loves finding the right solution for a business, no matter the industry, size or sustainability experience. Josephine knows that environmental performance is linked to business success, so she uses her determination and energy to help organisations find their path to sustainability. Her other passion is helping organisations tell their story of achievement with all their stakeholders. Josephine keeps the fun moving outside of work through gardening, swimming and dance – she says that a day not danced is a day not lived.
Karen Tipper, FCA, Certification & Operations Manager
FCA (The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), BA German and Business Studies (Warwick University)
Karen manages our certification and verification offerings, as well as conducting client audits and technical reviews for our carbon members. She has many years of audit and accounting experience and is always patient and cheerful as she guides staff and clients through carbon accounting requirements. Between certifications, Karen loves spending time with her family at the beach.
Nadine France, Marketing & Communications Manager
BA English and History (University of Auckland), MA Hons English (University of Auckland)
Nadine manages the marketing and communications function of Enviro-Mark Solutions. She is passionate about reaching the right audience with the right message, and spreading the word about the importance of sustainability to both business and consumer audiences. Nadine has a diverse marketing background spanning both the public and private sectors. She also brings international experience having worked in New Zealand, London and the Middle East. In her spare time, she enjoys long distance running, reading and hot yoga, and is trying to improve her cooking skills.
Steve Dixon, General Manager Partnerships & Strategy
Master of Environmental Assessment and Evaluation (London School of Economics), BCA - Business Administration, Politics (Victoria University, Wellington)
Steve develops new partnership opportunities for Enviro-Mark Solutions while managing key relationships and developing new products to meet our customers evolving needs. With over 20 years’ experience in sustainability, and several governance roles under his belt, he brings a wealth of knowledge, capability and experience to the team. When not holding down our proverbial fort in Wellington, Steve lives above the sea in Wellington’s Eastern suburbs, has two daughters, two beehives and is foolish enough to still play competitive football.
Expert Staff
Andrea Topp, Sales & Marketing Administrator
BSc Environmental Science & Statistics (University of Auckland)
Andrea assists our sales team in their everyday operations, taking on any task thrown at her. As she is finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Statistics, she has knowledge across current sustainability issues such as climate change and risks to biodiversity and will be delving into postgraduate study in the coming year. Andrea has a love for the environment like no other, spending most weekends picking up litter on beaches or planting trees in the community. Andrea is excited to be starting her future in the sustainability sector.
Ashish Kundalkar, Marketing & Communications Executive
Bachelor of Business Management (Pune University, India), Graduate Diploma in Applied Management (Ara Institute of Canterbury)
Ashish is a communication specialist, spreading the word about Enviro-Mark Solutions and our offerings to business and consumer audiences. A self-proclaimed corporate storyteller and Netflix binge specialist, Ashish is passionate about marketing and also helps our clients realise the full potential of their sustainability initiatives through their communications. When not at work, you will usually find him thinking about going to the gym, curled up over a book or out-and-about, well equipped with a refreshing beer and kicking back with his ‘fam’.
Austin Hansell, Communications & Certification Advisor
MA English (University of Oregon), BA Hons English (University of New Mexico)
Austin helps the company and our clients tell sustainability stories. With a background in writing, editing and education, she specialises in clearly, concisely and usefully translating technical information for our range of users. This includes looking after the carbon certification schemes, overseeing the use of certification marks, and work on company communications, but her favourite part is telling client stories. Austin is always keen to get away to the mountains and bush, but can also be found curled up with a book or trying a new recipe.
Bronwyn Cook, Marketing Executive
MSc Genetic Counselling (Griffith University), BSc Hons Biology (University of Queensland)
Bronwyn helps our clients with marketing support and communicating their credentials. She has a unique variety of experience across environmental science, genetic counselling and sustainability which helps her find creative solutions. Bronwyn has travelled extensively and brings international experience having previously lived in Australia and the UK. She moved to Christchurch with her family to explore the incredible kiwi landscape. When she isn’t supporting our members, Bronwyn can usually be found exploring, skiing, hiking or walking her dog.
Chris Bailey, Senior Environmental Advisor
MSc Cellular and Molecular Biology (Auckland University)
Chris is a born teacher, his goal is to make the most confusing ideas in sustainability easy to understand. Most of his time he guides members through the Enviro-Mark programme, but this work overlaps into all kinds of management systems; from Health and Safety to Quality and Energy Management. Chris takes members through a range of complex issues until they can see the way forward – his favourite moment is when members realise they’ve become experts. He has particular expertise in compliance, preventing pollution, and developing self-sustaining systems.
Heather Locke, Sales Executive
Master of Visual Anthropology (University of Kent) & Bachelor of Journalism, Honours (University of Montana)
Heather helps businesses realise the financial and strategic benefits of implementing a low carbon agenda. She has extensive experience in sales and green solutions, so she is well placed to match your business with the best environmental solution. Heather soapboxes about environmental issues to anyone who will listen, and spends her weekends dragging her family to volunteer plantings and urban garden projects. She’s excited about New Zealand’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Helen Parker, PA to the CEO & Office Manager
Helen looks after our busy CEO to make sure she is where she needs to be and has everything she needs on a daily basis. She also manages the E-MS Parnell Office to keep things running smoothly for their busy team. Helen also looks after the Carbon Programme invoicing and assists the Parent Company HR Department with the Enviro-Mark Solutions payroll and all things HR. Helen’s background is in administration and database management across a range of industries from Airlines to Education. Helen is a keen Rotarian and in her spare time enjoys walking and reading.
Helene Pacalin, Technical Account Manager
Master of Environmental Management at the University of Queensland & Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management)
Helene supports Enviro-Mark and CEMARS programme members—from managing targets to helping them gain maximum benefit from their credentials, she walks alongside them on their journey to certification. With background in environmental management and auditing processes, Helene brings a wealth of insight, especially from the tourism industry. Outside of the office, you will find Helene out and about exploring new restaurants and the beautiful New Zealand outdoors. Be sure to greet her with a little ‘bonjour’ to win brownie points – Parlez vous Français?
Kate Ellingham, Sales Coordinator
BSc Pharmacology (Auckland University)
Kate assists our Business Development and helps organisations get started on their sustainability journey. Her passion for environmental sustainability is fuelled by her experience sailing around the Pacific Islands, where she saw first-hand, some of the islands most vulnerable to climate change and the impact of environmental mismanagement. She is now excited to help organisations reduce their environmental impact and realise the accompanying commercial benefits. Kate loves the outdoors and is happiest out sailing, windsurfing or kite-surfing on a sunny windy day!
Louise Li, Lead Auditor & Quality Assurance Coordinator
BEMP Environmental Management and Planning (Lincoln University), Diploma Business and English (Xi’an Aero-technical College, China)
Louise is a lead auditor (GHG) who verifies our carbon members. Her precise attention to detail and cheerful dedication allows her to help our members better measure their emissions sources to make meaningful changes to their environmental impacts. Louise’s background is in environmental and resource management and she has a strong passion for sustainability. She also works on our internal quality management systems and helps measure our company footprint. Louise is just as busy outside of work, she enjoys reading a good book, dancing or running on the beach.
Dr Noim Uddin, MIEAust, Lead GHG Verifier
PhD in Environmental Studies (Macquarie University, Australia), MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering (Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden), BSc in Mechanical Engineering (RUET, Bangladesh)
Noim is a sustainable energy and climate change professional and audits our carbon members. He has over ten years of working experience in the areas of sustainable/low carbon energy systems, climate change policy and greenhouse gas risk management. Noim’s work has ranged across the governments, private sectors, academia and UN agencies across three continents and his roles have included policy advice, research and analytical assessment and project management. Outside of work, Noim enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.
Pieter Fransen, Lead Environmental Auditor
MSc Earth Science (University of Waikato)
Pieter has been with Enviro-Mark over three years and audits our greenhouse gas and environmental management system members over a wide range of industry sectors. He has extensive experience in environmental, health and safety, and social responsibility management systems with the mining and forestry sectors to maintain a social licence to operate. Recently he has been involved in sustainability standards particularly for the agricultural sector. Out of work, Pieter is occupied with work on his lifestyle block at Athenree, Western Bay of Plenty.
Ronja Lidenhammar, Technical Account Manager
MSc Environmental Management & Policy (Lund University, Sweden), BSc Business Administration and Economics (Malardalen University, Sweden)
Ronja provides certification preparation and management support to our members, focusing on strengthening business processes and adding value. Her experience ranges from ensuring environmental compliance to sustainable business management consulting for a range of industries. When she’s out of the office, you are likely to find her out hiking, horse riding, digging in her veggie garden or travelling.
Shannon Ball, Technical Account Manager
MSc Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering (Lincoln University & University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna), BEMP Environmental Management and Planning (Lincoln University)
Shannon assists our members in their environmental certification journeys, from supporting them through using our software tools through to setting and achieving targets they can be proud to share as part of their sustainability story. With a strong background in environmental management, including a thesis on environmental programmes, she brings a wealth of practical experience to the team. Her passion for the environment extends beyond work as she adopts a zero-waste lifestyle and enjoys driving her electric car around Christchurch.
Shaun Bowler, Principal Sustainability Advisor
MSc Hons Psychology (University of Auckland), BSc Physiology (University of Otago), DipSocSci Psychology (Massey University)
Shaun believes the changes we all face in the 21st century demand nothing less than our fullest presence as human beings and that to successfully navigate these changes we must bring mindfulness, heartfelt intent and energy to our work. His calling is to provide tools to be more sustainable and fully alive. Shaun is a sustainability professional with extras, as he is also a registered psychologist and yoga teacher. Outside Enviro-Mark Solutions he teaches fitness, mindfulness and meditation, skiing, diving and how to make great compost!
Stu McKenzie, Senior Technical Advisor & Auditor
BSc Geography and Earth Science (Massey University), Diploma Natural Resource management (Massey University)
Stu spends most of his time supporting our members as they prepare to get certified under our carbon programmes. Stu also sources and manages carbon credits, works on programme improvements, bespoke client projects, and conducts audits. Stu has a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Earth Sciences and a Postgraduate Diploma in Natural Resource Management from Massey University. Stu is also a certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnVP). Stu enjoys getting outdoors gardening, walking, and appreciating local activities with his daughter.
Sue Taylor, Programme Administrator
Sue is the mainstay of our Christchurch office and keeps it under control. She has many roles including administering the Enviro-Mark programme, overseeing auditor bookings and helping with accounts. Sue has been a part of the Enviro-Mark programme for over 11 years and her expertise ensures that everyone - clients, auditors and staff - find the process easy and pleasant. Sue keeps her carbon footprint in check by walking to work most days. In her spare time, she can often be found in her garden or playing with her grandson.