Our trustees
Board Chair
Josephine Gagan
Josephine is the Chair of New Zealand Health Group, with over 30 years’ experience in the home and community sector, and six years as CEO / Managing Director of New Zealand Health Group. Josephine co-founded Geneva Healthcare in 1996, prior to which she spent fifteen years in clinical nursing and health management in New Zealand and the UK.
Josephine has played an integral part in implementing nationwide service delivery models that prioritise the Kaiāwhina workforce and focus on developing specialist skills and expertise to support the future needs of the home and community sector.
Her visionary leadership and contribution to the industry have been recognised by the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, and in 2019 she joined a select list of women inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs.
Deputy Chair
Dr Richard Frith
Richard has been a neurologist and clinical neurophysiologist at Auckland City Hospital since 1985 and in part-time clinical neurophysiology practice since 1989.
At Auckland City Hospital, Richard works with other neurologists, providing general neurology and neurophysiology services to the region. He is Chairman of the Julius Brendal Trust and President of the Australian & New Zealand Association of Neurologists.
Richard was Chairman of the Auckland Hospitals Research & Endowment Fund (previously A+ Trust) before the Auckland Hospital Foundation was established as the official fundraising charity for Auckland City Hospital’s adult health services. He was instrumental in the formation of the Auckland Hospital Foundation, and is now Deputy Chairman.
Andrew Barclay
Andrew has a professional career spanning over 25 years in global investment banking. Previously CEO of Goldman Sachs NZ, where he provided investment banking and strategic advice to governments and a wide range of multinationals and corporates around the world.
Andrew has a genuine commitment to promoting philanthropy in society. He is Chairman of The Lighthouse Foundation a private charitable foundation that supports various initiatives including prisoner literacy and rehabilitation, family restoration, youth resilience and medical research.
Andrew believes in the potential for philanthropic fundraising to make a significant impact on adult health services in Auckland, which led him to his role as Founder Chairman of the Auckland Hospital Foundation in 2018.
Dr Mike Shepherd
Mike is Group Director of Operations at Te Toka Tumai Auckland (Auckland City Hospital and its associated sites). He is a Paediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist who is passionate about delivering high quality healthcare services, which deliver equitable outcomes.
Mike, in partnership with Māori, is working to develop services at Te Toka Tumai and regionally that prioritise Māori and comply with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. In Mike’s 20 years in the health system, he has held various non-clinical roles, including developing quality and safety systems and research governance. He continues to work shifts in the Children’s Emergency Department.
“There is such an opportunity ahead of us to deliver a health system that truly benefits everyone in Aotearoa. I am proud of the way we’re working together and supporting each other through what must be the toughest challenge our health system has ever faced. This stands us in good stead for the next phase of our health care system development.”
Simran Kaur
Simran Kaur is a financial columnist, turned entrepreneur, and investor, best known as the founder and director of Friends That Invest (formerly Girls That Invest), the multi-million-dollar financial media company behind the world’s #1 investing newsletter and podcast for women.
She is author of the bestselling Friends That Invest, which has sold 100,000+ copies, and serves as a trusted advisor to organisations on financial literacy, women’s economic empowerment, and media strategy. Simran represented New Zealand on the Prime Minister’s trade delegation in 2025, offering insight on global investment trends and women's economic advancement, and her financial commentary features in titles such as Forbes, Vogue, and Business Insider.
In 2024, Simran was awarded Young New Zealander of the Year in the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards, and she was University of Auckland's Young Alumna of the Year after receiving the prestigious 40 under 40 accolade the year prior.
Rachael McDonald
Rachael is an accomplished business leader, trusted advisor and serious fan of innovation, technology and purpose with social impact.
A qualified lawyer, Rachael has over 25 years' experience in legal and professional services, working with top-tier clients, including financial institutions, charities, trusts, private equity houses and asset managers. As a law firm partner, Rachael has been responsible for opening, growing, and leading a foreign office and legal practices; and now, as CEO of Trust Investments Management Limited, she is a specialist asset manager for churches, charities and for-purpose organisations.
Rachael loves making complex issues simple, active listening, problem solving, delivering results and always learning. She enjoys teamwork and empowering people to thrive, and she is the proud mum of three children born at Auckland City Hospital. Rachael's combination of global and local experience brings fresh thinking to the Auckland Hospital Foundation, along with an astute eye to see the big picture and connect the dots.
Sameer Handa
A mechanical engineer by trade, with a Master of Business Administration from Sydney University, Sameer has extensive experience in management and leadership roles in various countries and industries. Sameer has good knowledge and understanding of international trade through his work in the Middle East, Fiji, India, Australia and New Zealand, and has strong networks across the globe.
Sameer is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors NZ and is on the board of Bank of India (NZ) Ltd, Refrigerant Recovery NZ Ltd, Chairman of India NZ Business Council and Deputy Chair at New Zealand Asian leaders (NZAL).
Sameer joined the Auckland Hospital Foundation to utilise his networks to raise awareness and ultimately funds for the charity. He wants to help the foundation achieve its purpose of investing in cutting-edge technologies and innovations, and education and training in the medical field.
Ken Whitney
Ken is a born and bred Aucklander, with a background in law and trust management. He was a partner in a legal practice for over 25 years and is currently Executive Director of Antipodes Trust Group Limited.
Ken has a strong interest in innovative philanthropy, and he is the current Chair of Philanthropy New Zealand, as well as a trustee of various charitable trusts.
Ken believes that ensuring Auckland has a world-class hospital supported by a strong research capability and excellent treatment facilities is a worthy and exciting goal, which he is keen to play a role in securing for our city.
Carl Eagleton
Carl was appointed Chief Medical Officer at Te Toka Tumai Auckland (Auckland City Hospital) in 2024. A medical graduate of the University of Auckland, Carl trained as an endocrinologist, general and obstetric medicine specialist in the Auckland region. He has held clinical and leadership positions in Wellington and Middlemore Hospitals and most recently at Te Toka Tumai as Clinical Director of General Medicine & Endocrinology.
Carl continues in clinical practice as well as the CMO role; he is an Honorary Academic at the Liggin’s Institute and is co-supervisor for several fellows completing their PHDs, as well as being an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medicine.
Carl is involved in a variety of roles outside Te Toka Tumai, including the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, Pharmac Endocrine Advisory Committee and the New Zealand Endocrinology Advanced Training Committee.
