Our Team
Giselle McLachlan
Grounded founder Giselle McLachlan is a governance and leadership specialist. Giselle is all about down to earth governance and business advice, and thrives on building sustainable businesses alongside healthy leaders and lives.
She helps organisations’ to make time to work on their strategy, rather than being immersed in the day-to-day. She brings advice, courage, and support to her coaching and facilitation work. Giselle has built a life out of doing things differently, constantly learning, and challenging herself. Grounded is close to her heart.
Giselle loves to take the “bored” out of board meetings and the “work” out of paperwork. She can help your business flourish, with compassion, balance, and resilience while acting as a safe person to talk to about your business challenges. Her background includes being a lawyer for decades, an insurance executive, a CEO, and General Manager. Giselle is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and she has facilitated hundreds of days of workshops and training sessions.
Tracey Cross
Tracey brings over 25 years of experience in financial services regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and strategy.
She is an Independent Director of AIA New Zealand, Mint Asset Management and Tony Mounce Mortgages and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Previously a partner of global business law firm DLA Piper New Zealand, Tracey now practices on her own account.
Tracey is passionate about governance with purpose and good conduct and culture as key to competitive and sustainable businesses.
Her passion for purpose drives her interest in empowering women. She was the founding Chair of DLA Piper’s Leadership Alliance for Women and is the current chair of Women in Super and co-chair of the Financial Services Council’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee – a founding member of both initiatives. Tracey mentors and regularly presents at financial services industry conferences, providing tailored training to clients and Boards.
Gordon Shaw
Gordon brings to our team over two decades of diverse experience in New Zealand and abroad. His skills in facilitation are deeply rooted in the principles of Grounded Governance, making the complex realms of leadership and governance Easy, Expert, and Enjoyable.
Gordons expertise spans various Boards and roles, and he chairs Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees for Boards he serves on. Throughout his career, Gordon has excelled in executive, management, and governance roles across multiple sectors. Gordon is a Chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and is on the committee of the Nelson Marlborough Branch of IoD.
Beyond his formal duties, Gordon extends his governance expertise to facilitate and assist companies and startups, making governance more accessible and engaging for all. An enthusiastic home chef, Gordon also seamlessly blends his culinary insights with governance in a relatable manner.
Cassie Kennedy
Cassie, our versatile Marketing and Projects Lead, brings extensive experience and passion for marketing alongside strong project leadership skills.
Starting as a self-taught photographer, she transitioned smoothly into marketing. Her holistic approach extends to her communication style, fostering inclusivity and instruction.
With a diverse background spanning various sectors, including community-based organisations, Cassie has enriched strategic marketing techniques. Cassie’s dynamic background and lifestyle align with Grounded Governance’s ethos, enhancing our team’s dedication to innovative leadership training.
Outside work, Cassie hosts events to build community in Wanaka, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity. She is also an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying everything from biking and climbing, to snowboarding.
Bex Turnbull
Bex is our Systems Lead and trainer. She holds a Masters in Psychology and is a 2-time Winter Olympian, having competed in snowboard halfpipe at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
Bex combines her in-depth understanding of both people and processes to ensure the smooth running of our services and systems, as well as training new staff and facilitators. She brings her continuous improvement attitude, gained through being a high-performance athlete, to ensure everything is completed to a high standard. Bex has extensive experience in support, training and service roles in both New Zealand and Australia, and looks forward to helping you on your governance journey.