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Our leadership

Claire Beard - CEO

Claire brings impressive credentials to the role, with 20 years in CEO and senior leadership roles in the Not-For-Profit sector, most recently as Head of Women’s Rugby at NZ Rugby, and prior to this as CEO of Triathlon New Zealand, where she led major strategy and commercial transformational change. Claire has a wealth of experience, in the health, sport and wellbeing sectors, with a reputation for developing clear strategies, a positive team culture and achieving social impact outcomes. Claire has a huge passion for ensuring all New Zealanders live happy, healthy lives, and we know she will continue to drive outcomes, and advocate for those living with Asthma and COPD in New Zealand.

Scott Green - Chairman

Scott brings over 40 years’ experience working in the highly disruptive IT industry. He has an excellent understanding of building and managing successful businesses in the IT Managed service provider market, combined with a strong background of vendor engagement and partnering. Scott joined the Asthma New Zealand Board to support the organisation through its digital transformation journey; and was elected as Chair in 2023. He holds an MBA from Auckland University and certifications from INSEAD and Harvard Business School. 

Emma-Kate Greer - Board Member

Emma-Kate is a commercially minded professional, experienced in leading corporate affairs teams and strategic projects in the telecommunications, media and energy sectors. She has broad experience across sustainability, media and public relations, government relations and regulatory affairs in New Zealand and Australia. An adaptable leader, Emma-Kate has also led experienced teams in people and culture at New Zealand energy company, Genesis. She is currently Chief Customer Office at 2Degrees. Emma-Kate holds a senior executive MBA from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Digital Business from the University of Waikato. 

Greg Lay - Board Member

Greg built up a very successful Business Advisory & Accounting practice in South Auckland over a 30-year period; this was sold in 2019. Greg now spends his time with a small number of directorships. He is also working with a group of private investors to develop a medical centre and he still maintains a few Accounting & Advisory clients. Greg enjoys giving something back to the community via his involvement with Asthma New Zealand and also with Blind Low Vision NZ. He is an avid sports fan & loves the outdoors and travel.

Yong Shan Zhao - Board Member

Yong Shan is highly passionate about public health, in particular bringing people together to mobilise creative and innovative solutions that allow communities across New Zealand to truly flourish. She has broad experience in healthcare strategy and operations, including large-scale technology implementations, across the public and private realm, which has built robust understandings of the health and social landscape. She operates with an equity-based lens, which drives her commitment to advocate for community-led health and awareness for chronic, long-term conditions. 

Dr. Julie Blamires - Board Member

Dr Julie Blamires is a senior nurse lecturer and child and youth health researcher at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand. With expertise in respiratory (bronchiectasis, asthma) and rheumatology, she bridges clinical practice and academia. Leadership experience includes her role as Associate Head of Postgraduate Research for the School of Clinical Sciences, Associate Head of Research Nursing, and Programme Leader for Postgraduate Child Health.

Julie’s research focuses on the experiences of children, young people, and their families living with long-term illness. She is passionate about ensuring their participation, engagement, and voices in healthcare.