Meet the People Behind the Care

Chief Executive Officer

Lydia Charteris

MBA · CMInstD

Lydia joined Franklin Hospice as Chief Executive Officer in 2026 and is passionate about ensuring everyone in our community has access to compassionate, high-quality palliative care when they need it most.

With an MBA (First Class Honours), Chartered Membership of the Institute of Directors, and senior leadership experience across the health and not-for-profit sectors, Lydia brings a strong focus on strategy, governance, financial sustainability, and building high-performing teams.

She is committed to strengthening Franklin Hospice for the future while ensuring exceptional care remains at the heart of everything the organisation does.

Lydia believes hospices are more than healthcare providers — they are an essential part of the community, supporting patients and whānau through some of life's most important moments.

She is proud to lead an organisation whose staff, volunteers and supporters make such a meaningful difference every day.

Clinical Services Manager

Maria Iacoppi

MNurs Hons · PGCertPro Sup

Kia ora e te Franklin whānau.

I’m passionate about palliative care because it allows me to practise the compassionate, holistic nursing I love.

As Clinical Manager, I believe staff wellbeing is essential to delivering the best possible care for patients and whānau.

I’m privileged to work alongside a dedicated team who make the most of every resource to ensure people can access the support they need.

Support Services Manager

Sharon Amundsen

BASW · PGDip Violence & Trauma · MA Health Science

My role at Franklin Hospice is about creating a safe and understanding space for people and whānau during times that can feel overwhelming.

My background in social work, health science and trauma informs the way I work with people, particularly when illness, uncertainty, loss or previous experiences make an already difficult situation even harder.

I believe strongly in walking alongside people rather than trying to tell them what their journey should look like.

Outside Hospice, I enjoy the beach, spending time with my dog Bess and getting away in the caravan whenever the opportunity arises.

Fundraising Manager

Alison Daldy

Fundraising at Franklin Hospice covers everything from grants and sponsorship to events, social media, community connections and helping tell the Hospice story.

I work closely with Karena and the wider team to build relationships with the people, organisations and businesses whose support enables Franklin Hospice to continue its work.

Being part of our local business community is important to me. I'm involved with BNI Pukekohe, the Pukekohe Business Collective, PBA Business & Beers and the PBA Executive Committee.

I live in Ramarama with my husband Richard and our family, along with a collection of animals including our dog, cats, goats and chickens.

Away from fundraising I love pot plants, sparkly things and, apparently, have never completely grown out of unicorns.

Retail Manager

Effie Webster

Hi, I’m Effie. I’m the Retail Manager at Franklin Hospice Shop Pukekohe.

I’m passionate about creating a welcoming and warm space for our customers, volunteers and community.

I love connecting with people, finding creative ways to support the shop and making every visit a positive and fun one.

I’m excited to be part of the Franklin Hospice team and am looking forward to seeing how my experience can support the incredible work Hospice does in our community.

Executive Assistant

Madeline Hart

As the Hospice Executive Assistant, Madeline is often the first point of contact for patients and their whānau, providing support and guidance with compassion and care.

She brings a strong background in administration within the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, along with a strong commitment to helping others.

Outside of work, she enjoys being involved in the local community and values building meaningful connections with others.

Clinic Data Coordinator

Briony

Hi, I’m Briony, Clinic Data Coordinator at Franklin Hospice, where I work part-time.

Alongside a background in animal care, I have decades of experience in customer service and data management.

Hospice work is a new chapter for me, and I feel privileged to be part of a team that supports people and families with such care, dignity and compassion.

In my spare time my beautiful family keeps me busy. With my husband and two young boys, we are always on the go — whether it’s football, playing games or building with Lego.

Palliative Care Nurse

Jackie Thompson

I have been part of Franklin Hospice for around 15 years and feel very fortunate to work in an area of nursing I am passionate about.

I originally trained and worked as a district and general nurse in the UK before moving to New Zealand with my sons, Luke and Aaron, around 18 years ago.

Palliative care is incredibly rewarding. Being able to make a difference for patients and their whānau at such an important time in their lives is something I value enormously.

Part of my work has also involved education within aged residential care, including supporting staff with syringe driver knowledge and confidence.

Outside work I enjoy exercise, spending time with friends, travelling back to the UK and Europe, visiting Whitianga and spending time with my chocolate Labrador. I also enjoy fashion and I'm rarely afraid of a bright colour.

Palliative Care Nurse

Jo Fitzpatrick

NZRN · DipN

Hi, I'm Jo. I grew up in Pokeno with my parents, older brother Reece and older sister Marlene. We all attended Pokeno School before moving on to Pukekohe High School — just as Mum had done while growing up in Pokeno.

I began my nursing career training at Thames Hospital, where I actually needed written permission from my parents to live in the nurses' home. Before having children, I spent five years working in acute orthopaedics at Middlemore Hospital.

I then spent 20 years at Pukekohe Family Health Care in the fracture clinic, working alongside Orthopaedic Specialist Mr Kevin Karpik. I am still involved with Kevin in private practice today, making that professional relationship around 30 years.

After travelling through Canada and England for 18 months on my OE, I returned home and married my long-time boyfriend Andrew, who is from Mangatawhiri. We now live in Pukekohe East on a small lifestyle block and have two adult children, Gary and Sheree.

I have been a casual nurse at Franklin Hospice for seven years. I am passionate about helping and supporting palliative patients and their families and whānau.

For me, it is a privilege to be welcomed into people's homes throughout the Franklin community — the place I have called home my whole life.

Palliative Care Nurse

Rachael Thomson

Rachael is an experienced nurse with a special interest in palliative care and a genuine commitment to supporting patients and families.

Her years in district nursing have provided her with extensive hands-on clinical experience, enabling her to deliver skilled, compassionate and personalised care in a variety of community settings.

Palliative Care Nurse

Maree Balle

Maree is a dedicated nurse with strong ties to the Franklin region and a genuine commitment to caring for people within her local community.

With experience in both the Emergency Department and district nursing, she brings a broad range of clinical skills, adaptability and a calm, compassionate approach to patient care.

Palliative Care Nurse · MND Lead Nurse

Lynne Lewis

Lynne is Franklin Hospice's longest-serving nurse, having dedicated more than 21 years to providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families. She brings extensive knowledge and palliative-care experience to the team.

As Franklin Hospice's Motor Neurone Disease Lead Nurse, Lynne is passionate about supporting patients, their caregivers and loved ones. She recognises the profound impact a Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis can have not only on patients but also on those who care for them, and understands the vital role caregivers play in providing day-to-day support and maintaining quality of life.

Palliative Care Nurse

Caitlin Davies

Kia ora, my name is Caitlin and I have been working for Franklin Community Hospice for the past two years.

I feel deeply privileged to work as a palliative care nurse, supporting patients and their whānau through some of life's most significant moments.

Caring for people in their own homes is especially meaningful to me, allowing me to provide care that is deeply personal.

This role gives me the opportunity to walk alongside people and their whānau, to honour their mana, ease suffering, and help make an often-frightening time feel more supported, understood and a little less overwhelming.

In my personal life I enjoy being a mother to my four-year-old daughter, reading and spending time anywhere near the ocean.

Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

Kate Dupper

Kia ora! I’m Kate, a recent addition to the Franklin Hospice nursing team.

I have worked in palliative care and oncology for more than 30 years, spending much of that time as part of the Palliative Care team at Middlemore Hospital.

Joining Franklin Hospice as a Nurse Practitioner has been a long-held goal of mine. Through my work at Middlemore, I came to appreciate Franklin Hospice’s proactive, community-focused approach to care and was drawn to its commitment to supporting patients and whānau close to home.

I qualified as a Nurse Practitioner in 2025 and am delighted to now be part of the team.

I live in Auckland with my husband and our two young adult children. Once they have completed their university studies, we hope to relocate to this beautiful part of Aotearoa and enjoy a more rural lifestyle.

Palliative Care Nurse

Jude Balle

Hi, I’m Jude, one of the palliative care nurses at Franklin Community Hospice.

I’ve been working here for 12 years, and it is the most rewarding role. We have the unique privilege of being involved with patients and their families in their own homes during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.

I work part time and have four grandchildren living locally who fill my life with so much joy.

Outside work, I love to exercise, whether that’s walking, going to the gym or Pilates.

I’m also very keen on tramping and have completed all of New Zealand’s Great Walks, along with many others.

I also love the beach and relaxing with a good book.

Bereavement & Whānau Support Worker

Kay

Registered Social Worker

Kia ora, I’m Kay, a Registered Social Worker with more than 30 years of experience across the social sector.

For the past 15 years, I have been privileged to work alongside the community here in the Franklin district. A year ago, I joined the Franklin Hospice team as a Bereavement and Whānau Support Worker.

My background includes extensive work in care and protection, disability, sexual abuse support and suicide support.

I am incredibly grateful to be getting to know our Hospice whānau and feel honoured to walk alongside and support families through their bereavement journey.

Fundraising Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

Karena Brady-Leathem

I work across both fundraising and volunteer coordination at Franklin Hospice, usually Monday to Wednesday.

On the fundraising side, that can mean helping organise events, venues, raffles and auctions, coordinating stalls and volunteers, and making sure the many people who support Hospice are properly thanked.

As Volunteer Coordinator, I help welcome and support our volunteers, organise workshops, manage required checks and records, help match volunteers with suitable opportunities and make sure they remain connected and appreciated.

I live in Patumahoe with my husband and have adult children. My extended family has strong connections with the Franklin area going back generations, so working for our local Hospice has special meaning for me.