Our People

The CDF is overseen by Trustees and Staff guided by an investment policy based on Catholic teaching and expert investment advice purchased from the financial sector. At all times, investors’ rights and interests are of paramount concern.

The Bishop of Christchurch appoints Trustees for five-year terms. To ensure high governance standards and effective stewardship, their skills include a mix of investment, financial, legal, and marketing expertise.

CDF Staff, based at the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Offices, work with the CDF Board to deliver:

CDF Vision – Provide financial support for the continued expansion, advancement, and improvement of the Bishop’s vision in our Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

CDF Mission – Through careful stewardship and sustainable growth enable the increase in the provision and financial support to the Bishop of Christchurch to empower him to fulfil the vision and objectives for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

The Catholic Development Fund remains a practical way of loving the Church and supporting the good works of this diocese.

Funding and lending are essential when supporting and developing the pastoral care of our community and for the formation of diocesan priests.

I remain grateful to members for their continued support. I appreciate CDF trustees and staff, who, guided by an investment policy based on Catholic teaching and expert investment advice, enable the CDF to make a tangible impact within our community.

As Bishop of Christchurch, I believe investing with the CDF is an excellent way of helping the Church, and I look forward to sharing many good news stories achieved via the Fund.

Bishop Michael Gielen

Bishop of Christchurch, Catholic Diocese of Christchurch

Staff

Simon Thompson

Simon is the General Manager of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch and has a background in economics and finance. Most recently, Simon lead teams in a number of infrastructure organisations and has used his ability to foster and develop relationships to manage complex projects. Simon’s proven leadership experience and ability to influence provides strength and resilience to the sustainability of the CDF.

Janice Rennell

Janice has held the position of Manager – Finance and Support Services for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch since 2002 and is responsible for the financial management and reporting for both the Diocese and the CDF. Prior to this, Janice was an auditor - predominantly in the public sector. Janice is a Chartered Accountant and has a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Accounting from the University of Waikato.

Liza Sparrow

Liza has been the CDF Marketing and Business Development Manager since 2019 and is responsible for the promotion and development of the CDF and growing its membership. A Chartered Marketer with a Bachelor of Arts and Post-Grad in Tourism from Otago University, Liza has a solid background in communications, marketing and event management with specific experience in earthquake recovery, community engagement and advocacy.

Melanie Perry

Melanie has been the CDF Administrator since 2007 and is responsible for CDF operations and member communications. Melanie brings extensive experience in front-line customer service roles to the CDF and is well-placed to build relationships and respond to member requests. Prior to joining the CDF, she held key customer engagement roles at The National Bank, Ansett New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

Board of Trustees

 

 

Graeme Wilson

Graeme is a chartered accountant with over thirty years of commercial experience in large corporates. He was appointed as a trustee of the CDF in 2019, and elected Chair of the Catholic Development Fund in 2022. Graeme is also a member of the Diocesan and CDF Audit Sub-Committee, trustee of the Clergy Trust Fund, and chair of the Catholic Parish of Christchurch North Finance Committee. Married to Louise they have two adult children.

Kintilla du Boucher-Ryan

Kintilla is an experienced digital marketer and works at the University of Canterbury. She previously worked at Skellerup Industries Ltd and Ngāi Tahu Property, as well as a decade in advertising agencies. Kintilla has facilitated training sessions and events on digital marketing, including the Marketing Association’s annual Marketing South conference. Appointed a Trustee of the CDF in 2020, she and her husband Conor have a daughter, Naomi.

Terry Foote

Terry is a chartered accountant with over 30 years of experience in the property and public transport sectors. A member of the CDF Board since 2020 and CDF Investment Sub-Committee since 2022. Terry brings a wealth of practical and professional experience to his role as a Trustee. In 2022 Terry joined the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch to assist the Property Team. He and his wife Joanne have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Simon Roughan

Simon is a registered chiropractor with a post-graduate in Functional Neurology and Clinical Nutrition. Director of Roughan Chiropractic Centres in Christchurch and Hokitika. Simon was appointed a Trustee of the Catholic Development Fund in October 2003. He and his wife Therese have seven adult children and ten grandchildren. They have now retired from their active role in the diocesan marriage education scene.

Dina Kubala

Dina is a dedicated Finance Business Partner with over 8 years of experience encompassing financial accounting, business advisory, and audit. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant holding a Master of Commerce degree. Dina currently works for Skellerup Industries and has previously worked at Ravensdown and several accounting firms. Her Finance expertise lies in fostering interdepartmental collaboration, financial alignment, and innovative solutions.

Michael Toomey

Michael, a retired solicitor, continues to consult to his former firm. With 40 years of experience in Christchurch and Dunedin, practicing property, estate planning, and commercial law. Appointed a Trustee of the CDF in 2023, Michael is also the bishop’s representative and Chair at Our Lady, Star of the Sea School, Sumner. Prior to this, he held positions in sporting organisations, and enterprises involving clients and on school boards at St Patrick's, Bryndwr, and St Bede’s College. Married to Elizabeth, they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Investment Sub-Committee

Michael Wilkes

Michael has been Chair of the Christchurch Diocese Management and Finance Board since October 2021 and its Audit Sub-Committee. In 2021 Michael joined the Investment Sub-Committee. Michael is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and member of the Institute of Directors. A former managing partner of the Christchurch Office of Deloitte, Michael has extensive business, corporate governance, and executive management experience.

Terry Foote

Terry is a chartered accountant with over thirty years of experience in the property and public transport sectors. A member of the CDF Board since 2020 and Investment Sub-Committee since 2022. Terry brings a wealth of practical and professional experience to his role as a Trustee. In 2022 Terry joined the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch to assist the Property Team.

Rob Farrell

Rob holds a Master's Degree in Finance and a Commerce Degree in Property, reflecting his broad commercial knowledge across the property, construction, and finance industries. Additionally, Rob is a Trustee of the St Bede's College Foundation and has served as a CDF Trustee from 2015 and Chair in 2016-2017. Furthermore, Rob joined the Diocesan Finance Council and the Diocesan Investment Sub-committee in October 2023.

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Good News Stories

Sharing good news and testimonials from around the Diocese