Our People

In an industry full of such passionate, creative people, we wouldn’t get very far if we didn’t have some of our own.

Here is a taste of the people who make the Restaurant Association what it is today.

Marisa Bidois

Marisa Bidois

Chief Executive Officer

Nicola Waldren

Nicola Waldren

General Manager

Tracey Lines

Tracey Lines

Hospo Support Manager

(Wellington)
Mike Todd

Mike Todd

Marketing Manager

Karen Smith

Karen Smith

Membership Team Leader

(Mid-Upper North Island)
Alastair Morris

Alastair Morris

Membership Coordinator

(Wellington & Lower North Island)
Riki Paewai

Riki Paewai

Membership Coordinator

(Auckland Central - Northland)
Vanessa Wallace

Vanessa Wallace

Events & Sponsorship Advisor

Emma Henderson

Emma Henderson

National Events & Sponsorship Manager

Eva Thomson

Eva Thomson

Events & Sponsorship Specialist

Lisa Sadaraka

Lisa Sadaraka

Training & Development Manager

Kelly Truus Ah Kiau

Kelly Truus Ah Kiau

Training & Development Co-ordinator

Andrea Pijacun

Andrea Pijacun

Hospo Start Facilitator/Coordinator

Gilda Proietti

Gilda Proietti

Hospo Start Facilitator/Coordinator

Martin Elliman

Martin Elliman

Hospo Start Facilitator/Coordinator

Milika Gasparetti

Milika Gasparetti

Hospo Start Facilitator/Coordinator

Vijay Bhatia

Vijay Bhatia

Hospo Start Facilitator/Coordinator

Kimberley Alford

Kimberley Alford

Helpline Advisor & Team Leader

Marie McClintock

Marie McClintock

Senior Legal Advisor and Assistant Team Leader

Aynaz Nowparvar

Aynaz Nowparvar

Employment Relations Advisor

Rosemary Hunt

Rosemary Hunt

Helpline Advisor

Sanam Salmani

Sanam Salmani

Legal Advisor

Tanya van der Vyver

Tanya van der Vyver

Finance Manager

Samantha Feary

Samantha Feary

Receptionist