First Steps in Governance awards for Canterbury directors

Cantabrians Becs Dondertman, Andrew Gray and Penny Kibblewhite MInstD have received First Steps in Governance awards from the Institute of Directors (IoD).

The awards are made to candidates who are interested in expanding their governance experience and knowledge, and who demonstrate a commitment supporting Canterbury businesses and organisations. 

Dondertman has been dairying with her husband for 20 years. She previously chaired her local community-owned preschool and currently sits on the Dunsandel School Board and the Surfing for Farmers Board. Chair of the selection panel Rex Williams DistFInstD said this opportunity for Dondertman to increase her governance experience and knowledge can only strengthen the pool of potential directors available to businesses and organisations in the region.

Gray has a background spanning fast-moving consumer goods, corporate, SME, non-profit, and social enterprise environments. He is head of sales at Baker Boys and working towards an MBA from the University of Canterbury. As part of his award, he will serve a governance internship on the Brackenridge Services Ltd. Jane Cartwright CFInstD, chair Brackenridge Services Ltd, said the board looks forward to his contributions in working to support people with an intellectual disability to live meaningful lives. 

Kibblewhite is the chair of Aviva, a Canterbury-based specialist family and sexual violence agency, and a general manager at MainPower New Zealand. She receives a governance internship with the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust. Mandy Kennedy, CEO, of the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust, said Kibblewhite’s exceptional skills and fresh perspective were an ideal fit with organisation’s mission to support patients and families facing challenging health journeys.

They will also each receive $955 towards professional development, complimentary IoD membership for one year and mentoring from an experienced director.