Management and Key People

Louise Schofield, PhD
Managing Director

Dr Louise Schofield is qualified and experienced in the areas of physical activity and public health promotion. Louise has a master's degree in Education and a PhD in physical activity and health. She specialises in developing interventions that achieve sustainable behavioral change. Louise is the author of several international research papers, and a regular speaker at national and international conferences.

Clara Soper, PhD
Operations Director

Dr Clara Soper is qualified and experienced in Sport and Exercise Science. Clara has extensive knowledge in the areas of body measurements being a level III accredited Anthropometrist (ISAK). In 2002 Clara won the International New Investigator Award from the ISBS. Her theoretical and applied research background has been used to implement and evaluate projects within several National Sports Organisations. Clara is currently on the Executive Board of Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand. Clara has successfully implemented a wide range of physical activity interventions in a variety of workplace settings.

Sophie Percy
Client Relationships Manager

Sophie comes to us with 18 years of business experience in a variety of roles in the health, well-being and pharmaceutical arenas. At Vitality Works, Sophie combines her personal passion for health and fitness with her highly customer focused business experience.

Dee Hunter
Key Account Manager

Dee has 14 years experience in the Corporate Telecommunications industry and held senior roles in category and product management and in the retail channel management sector.  Dee is passionate about behavioral change, running workshops and one on one coaching so much so that she trained in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Time Line Therapy to help clients with work life balance, stress management and life skills. Dee joined Vitality Works as Key Account Manager in 2008. She is actively involved in sporting events for cycling and triathlons.

Janine Shepherd
Key Account Manager

Janine brings 8 years of event management to the team. Her communication and relationship management skills ensures Janine brings our clients excellent results in workplace health and wellness initiatives. Janine is currently completing a degree in Sport and Recreation, majoring in physical activity, nutrition and management.

Claire Duncumb
Key Account Manager

Claire has a background in physical activity and health promotion and is highly experienced in research project management.  Claire’s qualifications include a degree in sport and exercise science and a masters degree in nutritional science.  Claire joined Vitality Works in 2008 as a Key Account Manager. Her  strong relationship management skills and attention to detail to enable clients to achieve their workplace wellness objectives.

Katie Robinson, PhD
Key Account Manager

Katie has a background in Science, and gained a PhD from Imperial College in London. She has experience as an intellectual property advisor and more recently in research commercialisation. In her role with Vitality Works, Katie is thrilled to be able to combine her interest in health and exercise with her expertise in client relationships and account management.

Jan O'Connor-Brown
Projects Consultant

Jan has over ten years experience in marketing, communication and branding for both national and international clients. She has always had a strong interest in using her skills in the health promotion industry and joined Vitality Works in 2007 as a Key Account Manager. Jan has since expanded her role into a wider support position of developing the Vitality Works brand, programmes and products.

Maia Cooper
Office Administrator

Maia began her career in the fashion industry, working in design and production for some of New Zealand’s top designers.  She joined Vitality Works in 2008 as Office Administrator after deciding to pursue her lifelong passion  for health and fitness . Maia is also currently working towards a degree in nutrition. She is a key contact point within the company and well known on the telephone to all our existing clients.

Sally Dodds
Office Accounts

Sally has 17 years experience as a financial controller for small New Zealand business'. Sally's expertise is in financial Planning and Budgeting.

Grant Schofield Ph.D.
Director

Grant Schofield joined the team at Vitality Works in 2006.  He takes a leadership role in developing innovative programs and services. As well, Dr Schofield is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research at The Auckland University of Technology. Dr Schofield has extensive experience in physical activity health promotion, the psychology of physical activity, and overweight/obesity research. He is the author of many international research papers, and a regular speaker at national and international conference in his area of expertise.

Ms Nikki Hart
Nutritionist

Nikki is a registered New Zealand Dietician, she is a consultant for the New Zealand Academy of Sport, and works with many of New Zealand's leading elite athletes as well as everyday people at her Ponsonby Clinic, Nikki Hart Dieticians. You may know Nikki as the Evil Diet Witch!

Karen Dickinson
Nutritionist

Nutrition seemed like a natural career for Karen with the ever-increasing awareness of eating well and how nutrition can enhance your health and wellbeing. Karen is a specialist consultant for Vitality Works, Shiftwork Services specialist nutrition provider, also working with the Peter Snell Institute of Sport helping many of New Zealand's up and coming young athletes as well as everyday people. Karen said ‘people tend to start off with great intentions when they set nutrition goals, but the challenge is continuing them and creating healthy habits that stick’. Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree specialising in nutrition from Massey University.

Bevan McKinnon
Personal Trainer / Health and Wellness

Bevan is a qualified strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer and holds a SFRITO certificate in sport (level II). Along with representing New Zealand at an elite sports level he has extensive experience working in the health and fitness industry with both children and adults. As a health and wellness consultant, Bevan´s strong relationship skills, humour and enthusiasm ensure that he is a natural motivator in your workplace initiatives.