Following a national search, Sepsis Trust NZ announces three new Trustees to its Board.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new trustees - Verena Cunningham, Jenni Falconer, and Anthony Hurst.
This trio bring a powerful combination of governance expertise, health system leadership, digital strategy, and lived experience to our Board.
Verena joins the Board with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience, including as a Big Four partner. A seasoned Strategy and M&A Advisor, certified Executive Coach (ICF), and qualified Board Director (CMInstD), Verena offers deep strategic and governance capability.
Verena also brings a deeply personal connection to the cause, having lost her mother suddenly and unexpectedly following undiagnosed urosepsis and resulting septic shock. She says this experience has given her first-hand insight into the trauma sepsis can cause and fuels her strong commitment to improving awareness and outcomes.
“Stronger education and increased awareness of sepsis will save lives."
“I feel privileged to be able to contribute to such an important cause and to support others impacted by this devastating condition," she says.
Jenni is a highly respected healthcare leader and board director with more than 30 years’ experience across the New Zealand health system. As co-founder and former CEO of Emergency Consult, she has been instrumental in transforming the delivery of virtual urgent care nationwide.
With a background in emergency medicine and clinical governance, Jenni brings extensive expertise in health system innovation, strategic partnerships, and equity-driven service design. She is deeply committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing innovative models of care.
"I believe my experience in clinical transformation and digital health will be invaluable to the Trust as we continue to push for system-wide improvements in sepsis recognition and treatment."
"I am committed and honoured to be appointed as a Trustee," she says.
Anthony, an Auckland-based digital strategy and communications consultant, brings over 20 years of experience across marketing technology, customer engagement, and data-driven communications. He has worked with organisations across government, commercial, and charitable sectors to strengthen engagement, drive growth, and build sustainability.
Anthony is also a sepsis survivor, giving him a powerful personal connection to the Trust’s mission. He says his combined professional expertise and lived experience position him strongly to support awareness-raising and advocacy efforts.
“I’m honoured to join the Board and contribute both my professional skills and personal experience to help improve outcomes for people affected by sepsis across Aotearoa,” he says.
Sepsis Trust New Zealand founding Trustee, Dr. Paul Huggan, says the appointments come at a critical time.
“These three trustees bring an exceptional mix of skills and lived experience that will strengthen our governance and accelerate our impact."
"Sepsis remains a significant and under-recognised health challenge in New Zealand, and we are committed to driving the awareness, education, and system change needed to save lives."
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank co-founders Dan Dobbins & Robert Martynoga for their many years of service as Trustees, and am delighted to announce they will form an integral part of our newly created Clinical Advisory Committee."
"Organisations such as ours simply would not exist without the commitment and passion of all our Trustees, and I thank them sincerely for their mahi," he says.
