Our People – Board of Trustees

Dr Julia Peters

Reconnect Family Services Board Chair

Dr Julia Peters

Reconnect Family Services Te Ope Pirita Board Chair

Julia is a public health physician and former GP with a distinguished career, including 15 years as Northern Regional Clinical Director for the National Public Health Service - Northern. She has held leadership roles in the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards and served as president of the New Zealand College of Public Medicine. Julia is deeply committed to Reconnect’s values and kaupapa.

Lewis Holden

Reconnect Trust Board Chair

Lewis Holden

Reconnect Trust Board Chair

Lewis is a retired public servant and director with extensive experience in government and international affairs. He served as Chief Executive of Manatū Taonga (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and held senior roles across key departments. Lewis represented New Zealand on the World Bank Board and has postgraduate qualifications from Victoria University, Canterbury, and Yale.

Julie Karam

Finance Chair

Julie Karam

Finance Chair

Julie is a Chief Executive with 20+ years across health, community, and corporate sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Studies and is a Chartered Accountant. Julie created the Partnership Practice Model, innovating urgent care and after-hours health services. Of Waikato Tainui descent, she leads with integrity and a strong community focus.

Bobby Bryan

Bobby Bryan

Bobby, of Ngāti Porou, is the founder of a consultancy offering strategic advisory services based on over 20 years of senior leadership and kaupapa Māori expertise. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and an MBA (Distinction). Bobby supports organisations delivering Māori health, whānau, and violence prevention services, plus social worker education and training.

Joseph Tyro

Joseph Tyro

Of Ngāi Tahu, Te Atihaunui-A-Pāpārangi and Ngāti Rangi, Joseph is a registered social worker with a Master’s in Social Work, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Mental Health) and has completed Company Directors Course through New Zealand Institute of Directors. With extensive Youth Justice and Care & Protection experience, he is Principal Portfolio Lead Service Improvement at Health New Zealand and holds governance roles nationally, bringing strong knowledge of Māori health and wellbeing.

Sarah Prentice

Sarah Prentice

Sarah is Executive Director of Pathology Queensland with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) and Certificate in Company Direction. An experienced CEO, she has broad health sector expertise, including public sector governance, reporting, and compliance. Sarah has a proven track record of leading organisations through successful establishment and transitions.

Sean Stowers

Sean Stowers

As a New Zealand-born Samoan, Sean has been CEO of Spectrum Group since 2016, with over 30 years experience in the disability sector. He holds an MBA, and previously chaired the New Zealand Disability Support Network peak body. As a MInstD, Sean has experience in governance, strategic and operational matters, including community housing and shared services.