Professor Hannah Buckley
Chief Executive Officer
Hannah joined the HRC in July 2026 from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). She has a PhD in Ecology from the University of Alberta and an MBA from AUT, with her research focusing on regenerative environments and how science can support healthy people and a healthy planet. She has held significant leadership positions at the university, including Head of School - Science and Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Associate Dean (Transformation).
In this role, Hannah is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the HRC, working with the Council and Executive Leadership Team to maintain effective investment in health research, support the research community, and lead the organisation through its transition to Research Funding New Zealand.
Lynne Bjarnesen
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Corporate Services
Lynne joined the HRC in December 2020 and heads up the Finance team as well as Corporate Services.
These functions are the enabling functions that provide the necessary infrastructure and support to the other areas of the organisation. A large proportion of Lynne and her team's time is dedicated to ensuring accuracy and reliability in all of the HRC's recording and reporting activities.
Stacey Pene
Director, Investments
Stacey provides executive leadership to the HRC across research investment, contract managment, and integrity.
In this role he contributes to the development and implementation of investment strategies, has oversight of investment processes, and maintains relationships with key stakeholders in the research and funding sectors, to support the HRC’s goals to invest in high-quality, high-impact research that saves lives.
Dr Tania Pocock
Director, Policy and Strategy
Tania is responsible for policy, strategy, evaluation, strategic relationships and communications at the HRC.
In her role she contributes to the development of policies, strategies, and priorities to maximise the impact of the public funds invested in health research and demonstrate the value of that impact to all stakeholders.