Thrive Aotearoa Charitable Trust

Bryan Gilchrist is the Chair person of the Trust. Originally from the United States, he has held several governance and advisoryroles internationally before relocating to New Zealand. He currently serves on the boards of the Phillipstown Community Centre Charitable Trust and Thrive Aotearoa Charitable Trust, bringing a strong mix of leadership, governance, and community-sector experience. In his spare time Bryan enjoys tramping and the great outdoors.

Chris Davis was born in Christchurch and has worked in leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector for many years across a range of health, disability, social services, education and development organisations. Chris joined Aspire in 2024 as Chief Executive and has previously been with Stroke Foundation, Ngai Tahu, Graeme Dingle Foundation and World Vision. Chris is a keen trail runner and loves getting out onto trails across the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula.

'Ted' Theo Feldbrugge has worked in his own business for over 30 years in the field of people development and performance psychology. He has pro bono governance roles with a number of organisations including serving on the board of the NZ Spinal Trust since 2013. He has a spinal cord injury from a cycling accident in 2009 and can walk with assistance. As well as his professional skills, he brings his lived experience to the Thrive board.

Gina Smith is the Treasurer of the Trust and brings both professional oversight and personal insight to the role, having a close family connection to neurological illness.

Since 2001, Joanna Giles helps women look great and feel confident, working as a stylist, makeup artist & teacher at her business, Love Your Look.
In 2024 Aspire and Thrive Aotearoa Charitable Trust changed her life for the better, after a heart breaking brain injury, following a vascular brain tumour and brain surgery.