Our Trustees
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, Patron
Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999 - 2008) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator (2009 - 2017)
Helen Clark is a respected global leader in sustainable development, gender equality and international co-operation. She served three successive terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand between 1999 and 2008. Following her tenure in government, she assumed the role of Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for two terms from 2009 to 2017. During this tenure, Helen Clark oversaw programmes addressing maternal and newborn health, communicable diseases, and health system resilience in low- and middle-income countries, all areas in which sepsis is a major but often under-recognised contributor to mortality. Her leadership on pandemic preparedness has also highlighted the critical importance of early detection, coordinated response, and public awareness, principles central to effective sepsis prevention and treatment. In 2026 she became Patron of the NZ Sepsis Trust.
Dr Paul Huggan, Founding Trustee
Honorary Associate Professor in the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine.
Paul is a highly respected infectious disease specialist, with extensive experience in clinical leadership, medical education, and research. As Head of Infectious Diseases at Health New Zealand | Waikato (2018–2025), he has been at the forefront of improving patient outcomes and advancing clinical practice. He has also served as National Clinical Lead for Sepsis Quality Improvement with the Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora.
Alongside his leadership, Paul is an accomplished researcher, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications spanning sepsis, infectious disease, and health equity. Following his medical education at The University of Edinburgh, Paul further strengthened his expertise with a PGCert in Statistics and Epidemiology (University of London), a PGCert in Health Management and Leadership (The University of Waikato), and Te Pokaitahi Reo (Te Kaupae 3) from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, reflecting both his technical depth and cultural responsiveness. His doctorate from the University of Auckland (2023) focused on the epidemiology and impact of sepsis in Aotearoa, further cementing his academic contribution.
As a Fellow of the The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Paul’s scholarship and service carry international standing. Paul also brings rich international experience from his time in Singapore as Assistant Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine , where he held significant educational leadership roles.
Verena Cunningham, Trustee
Verena is an experienced strategy and transaction advisor, qualified Board Director and certified Executive Coach. She brings more than 25 years of senior leadership, Big 4 partnership and governance experience to the Trust. Verena has worked with a wide range of private and public sector organisations and Boards on strategy development and reset, and on the successful implementation of their strategic projects, such as acquisitions, post merger integration, divestments and complex transformations. She has a strong passion for supporting organisations and their leaders through complex transitions and change.
In 2025, Verena lost her own mum suddenly and unexpectedly following an undiagnosed urosepsis and resulting septic shock. As a result, she has first-hand lived experience of the trauma this condition causes and has a huge amount of empathy for everyone whose life has been touched by sepsis. Verena believes that stronger education and increased awareness of sepsis would greatly assist in saving lives, and feels privileged to be in service of this important cause.
Jenni Falconer, Trustee
Jenni is a dynamic healthcare leader and board director with over 30 years of experience across the New Zealand health system. As a co-founder and former CEO of Emergency Consult, Jenni has been at the forefront of transforming virtual urgent care delivery nationwide.
With a deep background in emergency medicine and clinical governance, Jenni brings a wealth of expertise in health system innovation, strategic partnerships, and equity driven service design. Jenni is deeply passionate about health, Innovation and making a tangible difference in patient outcomes. She is committed to leveraging her experience in clinical transformation and digital health to support us in our mission to reduce the burden of sepsis across the country.
Anthony Hurst, Trustee
Anthony is an Auckland-based digital strategy and communications consultant with over twenty years of experience in marketing technology, customer engagement platforms, and data-driven communications. He has collaborated with a wide range of organisations across the government, commercial, and charitable sectors, providing advice on technology and data to strengthen supporter relationships, drive growth, and enhance organisational sustainability.
Anthony is also a sepsis survivor https://www.sepsis.org.nz/anthonys-sepsis-story/ which provides him with a personal connection to our mission. As a trustee, he contributes both professional expertise and lived experience to help raise awareness of sepsis for prevention, and to improve outcomes for those affected by sepsis across Aotearoa.
Chris Green, Trustee
Chris joins the Trust having had over 15 years experience in the non-profit sector in a variety of senior marketing, communications and fundraising roles. He has worked with small and large organsations, from the Cancer Society and Stroke Foundation through to the Hutt Valley based Te Omanga Hospice.
Ashvindev Singh, Trustee
A Project, Programme & Portfolio Management professional with over 7 years of experience in healthcare, including Auckland DHB & the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Managed and delivered projects ranging from large scale change pieces, process improvement projects at a whole of DHB and individual business unit level & NZ wide project delivery implementations across all 20 DHBs and for higher
Ashvindev’s particular focus is in systems engineering whereby using the principles of project management, service design, and customer experience to leverage against technology as an enabler to deliver on better patient outcomes. Ashvindev is also experienced in the ‘whole of organisation’ governance & strategy space.
Founders of Sepsis Trust NZ
The Trust simply would not exist without the extraordinary passion, vision and belief from three New Zealand doctors, two of whom have retired as Trustees after eight years of service, but continue as Clinical Advisors to the Trust. We thank them for their mana and their mahi, and remain grateful for their continued interest in the Trust and its mission.
Dr Dan Dobbins, Past (and Founding) Trustee
Trustee from May 2018 to March 2026
Dan is an emergency medicine physician with an interest in the acute management of patients with infection and sepsis. Dan is at the heart of efforts to improve sepsis recognition and resuscitation in his emergency department.
Dr. Robert Martynoga, Past (and Founding) Trustee
Trustee from May 2018 to March 2026
Robert is an anaesthetist and intensive care physician with an interest in maternal and perinatal sepsis.
Contact Info
Sepsis Trust NZ
PO Box No 565
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton 3240
info@sepsis.org.nz
Charity No. CC56078
Helpful Links
With thanks to funders
ACC
Potter Trust
Nelson Pine Industries Limited
Southern Cross Healthcare
Te Niwha
