Chief Executive, Deon York

Deon brings extensive governance and leadership experience from the health and community sector to this role and is a strong champion for improving the lives of people affected by haemophilia and all inherited bleeding disorders.

He has been a passionate advocate for the New Zealand bleeding disorders community for more than 25 years, holding many roles at board level. He also served as a director of the board of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) for ten years (2010 - 2020), and chaired or served on a range of WFH committees. He currently remains engaged with the WFH in a range of areas.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington, and postgraduate studies at the University of Auckland. Deon has been involved with research exploring the experiences of the bleeding disorders community, culminating in the publication of More than a bleeding nuisance: Haemophilia in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2019, co-authored with Julie Park, Kathryn Scott, and Mike Carnahan.  He is a member of the national haemophilia management group, and an ex officio member of HNZ’s board.

Deon is driven by contributing to a health care system that is determined and shaped by what matters to the people it serves. This theme has been constant in his career. In 2024 he was awarded the International Frank Schnabel Volunteer Award in recognition of his global contributions to training and advocacy.

Email Deon at ceo@haemophilia.org.nz

Communications Manager, Phil Constable

Joining in 2015, Phil arrived by way of marketing and copywriting.

With a background in social work and information design, along with a degree in English Literature, Phil has a range of skills that help to enhance the work done by the team at HNZ.

Outside of work, Phil enjoys building bicycles in the shed, renovating, reading, and his kids; not to mention the grandkids, Cairo & Tommy, and the dog, Pedro. 

Email Phil at comms@haemophilia.org.nz

Administrator, Leanne Pearce

Leanne has been with us since 2004. She had a short break in 2017/18, before being welcomed back in 2019 on a part-time basis. Leanne also works at Ko Taku Reo and is enjoying learning sign language. Outside of work, Leanne enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Email Leanne at admin@haemophilia.org.nz

Northern Outreach, Darian Smith

Darian has a background in counselling and family therapy and joined in 2021 after 11 years as a fieldworker for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand.  He has a passion for supporting people living with genetic conditions, in part because his wife has myotonic dystrophy.

Outside of work, Darian writes fantasy novels, for which he has received the Sir Julius Vogel Award and Koru Awards.

Email Darian at northern.outreach@haemophilia.org.nz

Midland Outreach, Loren Silva

Loren is based in Cambridge in the Waikato. She has a degree in psychology and experience working in mental health and addictions.

When I am not at work, Loren is likely to be spending time with her partner and our dog, attending live music events, spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading, arts and crafts, and participating in all types of sport.

Email Loren at midland.outreach@haemophilia.org.nz 

Central Outreach, Lynne Campbell

Since April 2009, Lynne has worked with families providing education, support and advocacy. Her regional home base is in Wellington (Levin).

Lynne is a registered teacher with a background in biology and science teaching, as well as transition/careers education at secondary level. Lynne has also held educational guidance and advocacy roles managing both the quality of pastoral support, and appropriateness of curriculum level and delivery, to a diverse range of student groups and enrolment categories, including adult students.

Lynne has redirected her passion from working with students to helping people of all ages with rare inherited bleeding disorders.

Her interests outside of work include family, art, fashion, music plus regular voluntary work to raise funds for animal welfare.

Email Lynne at central.outreach@haemophilia.org.nz

Southern Outreach, Vic Turner

Vic originally trained as a nurse at Burwood Hospital, then transferred to Templeton hospital until its closure. She also worked at a treatment facility for young men before formalising her training as a counsellor. She has since specialised in equine assisted psychotherapy.

Vic is a proud 50-something wife and mother. Her and her husband manage a blended family with six combined offspring ranging from 35 years down to 12 years, with two moko. Vic is based at a 52-hectare horse/gorse block in Okaruru Bay, Banks Peninsula.

Email Vic at southern.outreach@haemophilia.org.nz