Board Nominations 2026

Arun Chaudhari
CEO
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

I have the honour and privilege of being the CEO of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce since June 2017. I am passionate about Taranaki, my home for the last 26 years. I get the greatest joy when I see our local businesses thriving along with businesses all over New Zealand. I have been associated with the Taranaki Chamber for over 23 years, including six years as a Board Member and nine years as a Business Excellence Awards Judge.
My professional background includes working on merchant ships, which were engaged in trade and commerce across the world. I have worked in executive leadership positions in ports in New Zealand. I hold bachelor’s degrees in commerce and Nautical Science and a master’s degree in business administration.
I have served on several Boards and Trusts in NZ, including the NZCCI Board. I would like to see further collaboration and sharing of resources amongst Chambers of Commerce, nationally and internationally. I would like us all to support smaller Chambers in Aotearoa and to equip them to be more effective.

Don Good
CEO
Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Don is an experienced business leader in CEO/GM, Company Director, Growth Capital and Turnaround roles, with excellent management, and implementation skills.
He has been responsible for leading companies as CEO/GM since his late twenties. Several of those companies have been underperforming prior to his arrival and in need of Revitalisation.
Currently the CEO of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce, he has served as a Director on the Waikato Chamber Board for over 6 years. Prior to this role he worked in Singapore and Malaysia running a multi-national company with 300+ employees from over 10 nationalities.
His consulting company M3 Group works in the areas of turnaround and the invigorating of companies with serious growth potential. He has been a mentor since the inception of SODA’s 48 hour start up bootcamp challenge. He currently mentors the owner of the fastest growing Sydney based social media agency and three Waikato based start-ups.
Don’s success in growing companies stems from his ability to see the strategic landscape, define a vision, create and implement a profitable strategy for the company to build its culture, inspire staff, shareholders, the Board of Directors, their suppliers, their wider community and most importantly their customers.

Leeann Watson
CEO
Business Canterbury

Leeann is the Chief Executive of Business Canterbury, the largest membership business support organisation in the South Island with approximately 2,800 members, representing over tens of thousands of employees. Leeann is a strong voice for Canterbury business and over the past three years had implemented a major transformation across the organisation including redefining the membership model and value proposition, implemented new technology and repositioned the organisation for the future.
Leeann has been involved in various governance roles in education, sports and government working groups including as a current business advisor to the Minister for Small Business.
Leeann interfaces with the business community at all levels and across all sectors and has many years’ experience in the Chamber network and in partnership with both Local and Central Government.

Sharon Fifeld
CEO
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce

Sharon Fifield is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience spanning travel, government, transport, tech, financial services and economic development in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia. A proud Southland native, Sharon holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University and has held roles across both the private and public sectors.
After returning to New Zealand and establishing herself in Queenstown, Sharon played a pivotal role in the region’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. She led initiatives to support affected businesses, retain leadership talent, and develop the district’s diversification strategy, positioning Queenstown for sustainable growth.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive of the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, Sharon leverages her strong skills in communication and partnership development to drive economic growth and attract new businesses.
A passionate advocate for collective impact, Sharon embodies the belief that "to go far, you must go together." Sharon joined the NZ Chamber of Commerce board in 2024 and is keen to continue contributing. There has been great momentum across the network in shared advocacy and the flow on benefits for our members is building.

Ella Zhang
Auckland Business Chamber

Ella Zhang leads the investor relations in the Private Capital team at Invest New Zealand, where she works with high-value global investors through the Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme. She helps investors navigate New Zealand’s investment landscape by connecting them with venture capital and private equity firms, innovative companies, and other key stakeholders.
Her career spans senior roles across both public and private sectors. She led destination promotion across Asia Pacific at Destination Queenstown before moving into regional economic development at Great South in Southland. Most recently, she led external engagement team at the University of Auckland Business School, building partnerships with the business community and philanthropic partners to support teaching, research, and innovation.
Ella holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management with Honours from Victoria University of Wellington and an MBA from the University of Auckland.
Passionate about governance, Ella serves as Deputy Chair of Destination Coromandel, a Director of Auckland Golf Incorporated, and a board member of Auckland Business Chamber . She brings a particular focus on diversity, sustainability, and creating long-term value for communities and stakeholders.

Jessica Parker
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce

Jessica brings over a decade of experience within New Zealand’s Chamber network, alongside a strong background in events, marketing, governance, and business engagement. Her career spans both New Zealand and international markets, including roles with Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, before returning home after 11 years in the UK and Europe.
She spent nearly seven years as Event Manager at the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, strengthening business connections and delivering initiatives that supported regional growth. She is currently Festival Manager for the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, continuing her focus on economic development and community engagement.
Jessica’s governance experience includes serving as a Trustee of the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust, membership of the Institute of Directors, and Co-Chair of the Taranaki Culinary Advisory Trust. She is passionate about the future of New Zealand businesses, and the role Chambers play in fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth.
Based in New Plymouth with her family, she combines strong local connections with a national perspective on business opportunities and challenges.