Joel Majer
Chair
Joel is a Chartered Organisational Psychologist and experienced HR leader dedicated to building better workplaces through psychology and leadership. He has led organisational development, leadership, DEI, and talent strategies across the public sector, not-for-profits, and defence, applying psychological insights and leadership skills to create lasting change.
As Chair of the Institute of Organisational Psychology, Joel is committed to strengthening the profession and fostering a connected, thriving community of practitioners. He actively supports the next generation of organisational psychologists through coaching, professional supervision, and his involvement in the NZDF and University of Canterbury registration programmes, ensuring the field continues to grow in New Zealand.
All of Joel’s work is underpinned by the belief that through good science, good practice, and good work, organisational psychologists can help people and organisations to thrive, and that this makes a real difference for Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Crispin Garden-Webster
Professional Development
Crispin is an Organisational Psychologist and have extensive experience in selecting and developing leaders. He loves helping leaders grow and seeing them deepen their influence. Crispin coaches managers to develop and strengthen their leadership confidence and influence.
Ketki Acharya
Secretary
Ketki holds a Master of Science in Industrial-Organisational Psychology from the University of Canterbury, which she completed in February 2025. With four years of recruitment experience, she has developed a strong understanding of talent acquisition, market insights, and strategic consulting. Having lived in Dubai, the US, Singapore, and now New Zealand, she thrives in diverse environments and loves connecting with people from all walks of life. Networking and building meaningful relationships energizes her, and she is passionate about supporting others—especially students—however they need, whether through mentorship, career guidance, or simply being a sounding board.
Katharina Naswall
University Liaison
Professor at the University of Canterbury, Katharina's research focuses on employee well-being and factors which lead to psychologically healthy workplaces, using psychology. She often collaborates with organisations in the diagnostic of stress and wellbeing, along with the implementation of initiatives aimed at increasing health and wellbeing at work, applying psychological principles and knowledge about human behaviour and emotions. She has worked on several projects on psychosocial recovery after disasters, as well as project on how organisations and managers can make a positive difference and contribute to employee wellbeing. Katharina supports her own wellbeing by gardening and walking in the Port Hills.
Karen Tonkin
Membership
Karen is a Chartered Organisational Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in psychometric assessment and coaching. She supports leaders to enhance their skills in active listening, identifying the motives and drivers of themselves and others, building employee resilience, managing team conflict, and positioning themselves for their next career challenge. Karen is a seasoned facilitator of psychometric interpretation training of HR, People & Capability Leaders, and Recruiters for use in employee selection and development. Alongside this, her research in building employee resilience has been published and received a national award.
Jonathan Black
Services to Members
Jonathan is based in Napier/Hastings but works around New Zealand as an Organisational Psychologist with a particular focus on occupational health, leadership, and performance culture, thinking and behaviour. Research-wise he has a particular interest in critical event stress and recovery. He began his career in Wellington as a Police Psychologist and departed the role of Manager Police Psychological Services in 2002. Subsequent to that he moved to Christchurch and established his private practice. He undertakes a variety of services for clients in both the public and private sectors including leadership development, independent assessment and advice, risk management, employee assistance, coaching executive, facilitation and specialist training. Jonathan remains involved with the Police Negotiation teams in a training capacity, and more recently has had significant involvement in high performance athlete support across a wide range of individual and team sport athletes.
Renske Grant
Marketing
Renske graduated with a Master in Science in Industrial-Organisational Psychology in 2024. She is currently working as a People and Culture Coordinator in Auckland, New Zealand, applying her valuable knowledge from her recent degree. Renske is passionate about employee wellbeing and supporting organisations to consider how workplace design is impacting employee wellbeing. Renske aspires to complete a post-graduate diploma and become a registered Organisational Psychologist in the future. In her spare time, Renske enjoys scoping out cafes and taking her Golden Retriever for walks.
Lydia Edwards
Treasurer
As a Chartered Organisational Psychologist, Lydia is passionate about working at all levels from individuals, teams, leaders and organisations to enhance wellbeing and performance. Lydia draws from her experience in HR consulting, organisational development, and organisational psychology roles across public and private sector, including leadership roles. She endeavours to support the ongoing development and impact of organisational psychology practice in Aotearoa, as a practitioner, in her role on the IOP Committee, and as a professional supervisor.
For general enquiries, please email services@organisationalpsychology.nz