Meet the Team
Our Staff
The Board is supported by five staff members including the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Education Officer, Professional Standards Officer and an Office Administrator.
The Board staff are responsible for ODOB operations, and they ensure ODOB meets its obligations under the HPCA Act.
Suzanne Halpin - Chief Executive and Registrar
Suzanne moved from Ireland to Aotearoa New Zealand at the end of 2013. She has spent just over 10 years working for responsible authorities, primarily focusing on the area of professional standards. Immediately prior to joining the ODOB, Suzanne’s most recent role was with Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa | Medical Council of New Zealand where she was a Team Leader of the Professional Standards team. Suzanne holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology. In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys running, particularly on the beautiful trails around Wellington.
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Sherin de Souza - Deputy Registrar
Sherin is originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has lived in Wellington since 2010.
She holds a BEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and has experience working in IT and Online Learning Management System. She has worked at the NZ Health Group and recently in the regulatory space at the Dietitians Board and the NZ Registered Architects Board as the Operations Manager. Her technical knowledge has been a great asset especially in developing the Dietitians Board new online registration and database system.
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Penny Davenport - Education Officer
Penny Davenport joined ODOB in October 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, Master of Public Policy, and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary).
She brings with her a vast knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas qualifications and education systems having worked at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) in qualification recognition for 20 years. Prior to this, she worked in Aotearoa New Zealand’s professional theatre, having originally trained as a Stage Manager at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.
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Claire Fitzgerald – Professional Standards Officer
Claire joined the ODOB in December 2022. She qualified as an orthoptist from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and worked in public and private sector ophthalmology clinics in the United Kingdom (UK) and Aotearoa New Zealand (Taranaki and Hamilton).
She spent 19 years working for the Blind Foundation, as part of the Access and Engagement and Professional Practice Teams, advising on registrations and supporting newly enrolled clients and vision rehabilitation practitioners.
Claire’s most recent role was at the Ministry of Justice, as Coronial Case Manager. She brings broad case management experience and a wide knowledge of the vision health sector in NZ.
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Alison Watt – Registrations Officer & Office Administrator
Ali Watt joined the ODOB in 2022. She has over 20 years of extensive senior administration and office management experiences in the health, tourism, sport and marine industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia.
Some of her recent roles include working at the Royal New Zealand College for General Practitioners (RNZCGPs), the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Council of Medical Colleges (CMC). She has a keen interest in public health and safety, and supporting health practitioners in the sector.
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