Chief Executive

Evan Williams

Evan joined the RNZRSA National Office in November 2024. He is an experienced strategic leader, with strengths in planning, decision making, resource management, relationship building and the development and maintenance of team cohesion.

Evan served for over 39 years in the New Zealand Army and is a veteran of Bosnia, the Sinai (three tours), Timor Leste, Banda Aceh and Afghanistan.

Evan is passionate about ensuring New Zealand's veterans of military service have ready access to the support they need, and ensuring the RNZRSA is ready to meet the challenges of the future.

General Manager Support Services

Andrew Brown

Andrew joined the RNZRSA National Office in September 2023 after a career in the NZDF.  He deployed operationally a number of times and worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels within the NZDF in a range of roles. 

Andrew is married to Paula and they have two teenage daughters.  As a long-standing member of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Andrew enjoys spending time in the outdoors with family and friends.  He is on the board of Wellington Girls’ College and chairs the Hohepa Wellington Regional Board.

Communications and Marketing Manager

Rachel Riley

Rachel has been with the RNZRSA since February 2022. Rachel has worked in both large scale and niche communications teams across a wide range of Public Sector agencies. 

Rachel served for 15 years in the New Zealand Army and is a veteran of two deployments to Timor Leste.  

Support Services Manager

Danny Nelson

Danny has been with the RNZRSA since 2016, and has been the Support Services Manager since 2020. Danny comes from a service background having worked with both the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police.  

Danny served in the New Zealand Army for 12 years and is a veteran of Bosnia, Timor Leste and Afghanistan. 

Services and Sponsorship Manager

Laura Berry

Laura has been with the RNZRSA since January 2022. Laura has a broad skill set from her time working in events and administration in the tertiary sector. 

Senior Support Advisor

Rob Todman

Rob has been the Support Services Operations Manager at the RNZRSA since 2019. Rob is a former Veterans’ Affairs case manager and has a wealth of knowledge of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014. 

 Rob served almost 17 years in the Royal Air Force.  

Finance Manager

Celyn Bird

Celyn has been with the RNZRSA since February 2019. Celyn brings a wealth of experience in finance from roles across the private and public sector. 

Support Information Executive 

Larissa Copat

Larissa has been with the RNZRSA as the Support Information Executive since 2021. Larissa brings with her a wealth of experience from her roles in journalism and internal communication in her native Brazil.