Gabrielle O’Connor
My husband Richard and I have been part of the St Mark’s community since returning to New Zealand in 2015. Richard is currently the President of the SMILE / Parents Association, and both our children have loved their time at the school — Ryan, who graduated from Year 8 in 2022, and Anna, who is still enjoying the wonderful friendships and learning opportunities St Mark’s offers.
Professionally, I am an independent contractor working on large, complex projects across the public sector. My background includes leading frontline teams and major change programmes at ACC, where I left as Chief Operating Officer, as well as a number of global and regional operational roles with Citibank overseas. My experience is in leading organisational change and transformation, always with a focus on putting people at the centre. I have a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Canterbury.
I’m passionate about contributing to the future of St Mark’s and look forward to using my professional skills and love for the school to make a positive difference.
Desinee Tsinas
Our family re-joined the St Mark’s community in 2024, with our children, Emelia and Aris. My husband Paul, is especially proud to see them attending the same school he once did. Emelia and Aris are enthusiastic members of Julius House, proudly continuing a cherished family tradition.
Choosing St Mark’s has been one of the best decisions we’ve made — not only for the quality of education but also for the opportunity to be part of such a welcoming, supportive community.
I have worked in the public service for 20 years, including over 16 years at the Ministry of Social Development, where I’ve held a range of roles from Private Secretary to advisor to senior leader. I’ve also been part of the public sector’s property function for nearly a decade. After contract roles in property project management, I returned to MSD in late 2023 as General Manager of Workplace Services, overseeing the management of one of the public sector’s largest commercial property portfolios.
I have a BA and LLB from Otago University and I’m proud to be part of the St Mark’s Board and look forward to supporting the school and its community in any way I can.
Victoria Luxton
I joined the St Mark’s School Board as a non-parent representative and was excited by the opportunity to contribute in this capacity, bringing a different perspective when required.
My background is in delivering large-scale change and transformation, with a focus on helping organisations set and align to a clear strategic direction. I have worked primarily in large consulting firms across New Zealand and the UK.
My husband Shirzad and I are proud Wellingtonians and returned home from our OE in 2021. We have a three-year-old Golden Retriever, Felix, who we plan our lives around — so you’ll often find us exploring Wellington’s beaches, hills, or dog-friendly cafés.
I’m really looking forward to contributing to St Mark’s and engaging with this welcoming school community.
Iain Rennie
My family has greatly appreciated St Mark’s inclusive approach to teaching and engaging children, so I was keen to contribute to the Board.
I am an economist by training and have had a long career in public service and economic policy. I currently serve as Secretary and Chief Executive of the Treasury, having been appointed to the role in November 2024.
Prior to this, I led the public service as State Services Commissioner from 2008 to 2016, following an earlier term as Deputy State Services Commissioner. Between 2016 and 2024, I worked internationally advising national and state governments on public sector and economic reform. I also spent time as an economic advisor at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and served as Independent Chair of the Treasury’s Financial Statements of Government Audit Committee from 2021 to 2024.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from Victoria University of Wellington and was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2017 for services to the state.
I’m excited to support St Mark’s as a member of the Board and help the school continue to grow and flourish.
Andy Suhan
My wife Ting and I have a deep connection to St Mark’s - our eldest son, Aiwyn, has been at the School since Preschool, and our younger son, Zane, started Year 1 in 2025. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed supporting school life by coaching basketball and other sport teams, while balancing full-time work and part-time legal study.
I bring nearly 20 years of experience across audit assurance, digital innovation, education, and immigration. I was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in March 2025. I also hold a degree in accountancy.
I currently serve as an Assurance and Risk Lead at Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry for Children. Previously, I worked in senior assurance roles at the Ministry of Education, Department of Internal Affairs, and Immigration New Zealand. My work has focused on enabling effective governance through evidence-based inquiries and strategic advice.
I’m passionate about continuous improvement, community service, and helping organisations thrive. It’s a real privilege to support the mission and values of St Mark’s through the Board and to give back to a community that means so much to our family.
Sam Turner
Our son, Oscar, attends St Mark’s Preschool. We have been impressed by the school’s community and opportunities for enrichment. It will be a privilege to contribute to St Mark’s through my role on the Board of Trustees. My wife, Elizabeth, is an Accountant in the arts and culture sector. We are Wellingtonians at heart and tolerate the weather as we all do.
I am the Market and Portfolio Analytics Manager at Contact Energy, bringing ten years’ experience in New Zealand’s energy markets across trading, strategy, finance, and development. I lead complex projects and work on strategically important initiatives at Contact. With support from my team, I provide recommendations on strategy and prospective investments to senior leaders and the Board of Contact. Recent achievements include reaching financial close on a grid-scale battery south of Auckland and the successful completion of the Manawa acquisition by Contact.
I hold a Master of Philosophy in Physics from The Australian National University, which preceded an early career at PwC in consulting during which I earned the CFA designation. I am driven, hardworking, and passionate about delivering high-quality results.
Shelley Tyson
My husband Cam and I have our youngest son at St Mark’s, and our older son is at Wellington High School. We moved Josh to St Mark’s in Term 2 2024, and we believe it’s been the best decision we could have made for his education and development.
I am the General Manager at Aroturuki Tamariki, the Independent Children’s Monitor—a small government entity that checks whether organisations supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. I’ve been with Aroturuki since 2019, playing a key role in its establishment and leading the recruitment of our first team. My role covers a broad range of functions including strategy, performance, data and insights, reporting, learning and development, human resources, and other corporate services.
I come from a family of educators and originally trained as a secondary teacher. I firmly believe that an education which encourages curiosity and critical thinking is essential for a healthy society.
It’s been a pleasure being part of the St Mark’s community, and I look forward to contributing positively to the school’s ongoing success as a member of the Board.
Charlotte von Dadelszen
My partner Elaine and I have three children, all educated at St Mark’s. Our two older boys are now at Wellington College and Greta, still at the school. We’ve greatly appreciated the warmth and friendship the school community has extended to our family, and I enjoy being part of the school, getting to know the teachers, parents, and students.
I am a partner at Buddle Findlay, specialising in construction and property law. Prior to that, I spent six years in London working for the Disability Law Service, a national charity providing legal advice and advocacy for people and families of children with disabilities.
I’ve always enjoyed being involved in the community and have previously been a trustee for the Laura Fergusson Trust (Wellington). I am currently a trustee for the Buddle Findlay Child Health Foundation.
It’s a privilege to contribute to the St Mark’s School Trust Board and support the school in its ongoing success.
Roger Wigglesworth
Judith and I have been part of the St Mark’s community since 1994, with all three of our sons educated at the school.
My professional background is in human resources, organisational development, and public policy. I held roles with the State Services Commission, The Treasury, and Tower Insurance, followed by senior policy positions at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. I retired from full-time work in 2017 and now live in the Wairarapa.
I remain actively involved in serving the Wellington Anglican Diocese and am proud to be the Bishop’s Nominee on the St Mark’s School Board. It is a privilege to contribute to a school and community that has been such a significant part of our family’s life.
Betty Brown
I am a member of the St Mark’s Board in my role as Principal of the school. I have extensive experience in International Baccalaureate education having held roles including IB Academic Director, PYP Coordinator, IBO Accreditation Team Member, and workshop presenter. These experiences have shaped my ability to integrate educational excellence with culturally responsive practice and future-focused learning, tailored to the unique needs of each school community.
My leadership is grounded in nurturing strong relationships, upholding Christian values, and fostering learning environments where every ākonga/learner feels seen, heard, and inspired to thrive.
I am the proud wife to Stephen, and mum to three wonderful children—S.A.M, Aterea-James, and Karena. All three are graduates of the IB Diploma Programme, and I feel truly blessed that they experienced a rich international upbringing before returning home to Aotearoa to give back.
I look forward to supporting the St Mark’s Board with my educational expertise and IB experience.
Shelley Catlin
I joined St Mark’s in early 2025 and bring extensive experience in business operations. I hold a Master of Management, an MBA, and qualifications in public policy, project, and change management, which enable me to drive both strategic and operational success. I particularly enjoy leveraging new technologies to optimise efficiencies and have a proven ability to drive positive business change.
I am passionate about fostering inclusive, culturally responsive environments that celebrate diversity and enable student and staff success.
