Welcome to Pet Refuge

A former sportswoman, Glenda is a National Championship shot put record holder, a Commonwealth Games Representative and holder of four New Zealand powerlifting records.

She’s worked with the NZ Olympic Games Committee and is still involved in sport today as an advisor to many of our top athletes, in media relations and other management support programmes. Glenda’s spent 18 years in the New Zealand Police in a variety of roles.

Glenda has an incredible ability to deal with people at all levels. She is a guest lecturer in marketing, communications and managing change at several universities.

Julie is the Founder of the Pet Refuge Trust and well-known children’s charity, KidsCan, of which she is CEO.

Julie has more than fifteen years experience in not-for-profit management. She regularly speaks about leadership and innovation in the not-for-profit sector at business and community forums.

She has a passion for helping animals, especially those who are abused or neglected. She started Pet Refuge using money left to her by her late parents, aiming to remove one of the barriers people face when deciding to leave abusive homes.

In 2008 Julie was recognised with a Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, and in 2013 was named Next magazine’s Woman of the Year.

Blair Edwards is the founder of Edwards Law – Employment Law Specialists, which has offices in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga.

Blair has several governance and committee roles across the not-for-profit, corporate and education sectors. 

He lives in the Waikato with his wife, Angela, twin boys, Ben and Sam and their well-loved Spoodle, Skipper. 

Dean is the CEO and Co Founder of the Trillian Trust, which provides funding support to charitable and sporting organisations throughout New Zealand. Since starting in 1999 the trust has provided over $105 million in grants.

Dean has extensive experience in governance and financial management in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Dean is a member of the Institute of Directors and has sat on a number of Boards and Companies.

Dean lives in Auckland with his wife Sarah and son Jack.

John is a Director and owner of SVS Veterinary Supplies - a veterinary wholesaler in the veterinary animal health industry. John is also involved in supporting other businesses, mostly with in the animal health sector.

John hopes to bring his governance and business operation skills to the table to help Pet Refuge support those that really do need this support .

Andrew is the CEO of the Lindsay Foundation, a philanthropic family foundation supporting Kiwis and organisations who aspire to make a positive difference in the areas of animal welfare, health and disability, and for children.

The Lindsay Foundation has been on board with Pet Refuge from the start and continues to be a proud supporter of the valuable work it does.

Andrew has an extensive background in banking having spent 27 years across retail banking and financial markets. He uses this expertise, as well as a passion for community fundraising and charitable initiatives, to lead the Lindsay Foundation’s work supporting organisations across New Zealand.   

Andrew and his wife Tracy have three children, Jamie, Adam and Sophie. They share their home with Patch, a beloved canine member of the family who insists on going everywhere they go – and they wouldn’t have it any other way.