MSASS Board of Trustees
Lauren Bruce CA MInstD - Chairperson
Lauren has been a Trustee of the Midlands Sexual Assault Support Services Charitable Trust (MSASS) since 2023, and was appointed Chair in 2026.
Lauren is a Chartered Accountant with a background in accounting, finance and investment management. In recent years her professional focus has been on best-practice board governance. She provides independent governance and secretariat services to a range of organisations across the healthcare, education, hospitality, iwi, and Māori health provider sectors.
Lauren is the Executive Director of Heartland Investments Limited, an investment syndicate business she has led for 20 years. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and brings a disciplined, practical approach to governance, with particular strength in financial oversight, risk management and robust board processes.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Accounting and Finance, and a Master of Business (Finance), both from the University of Otago.
Lauren is committed to governance that reflects the kaupapa of MSASS, placing people at the centre and recognising the importance of trust, connection and integrity. She is honoured to work alongside fellow Trustees and kaimahi who are committed to supporting and advocating for those impacted by sexual harm.
Outside of her professional roles, Lauren is a solo parent of three children, enjoys an active lifestyle, and has a longstanding love of musical theatre.
Dr Kate Taylor: MBCHB, PG Dip Sports Medicine (Otago)
Kate has been a trustee of Midlands Sexual Assault Service from its inception in 2019, stepping down as Chair in January 2026. As a rostered on-call doctor for the Waikato Sexual Assault Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATs) for over 17 years and the Lead Clinician for the service since 2015, Kate is passionate about providing optimum therapeutic and medical care for all victims of sexual assault. In 2022 the service expanded to include non-fatal strangulation/suffocation assessments with Kate in the role of Lead Clinician.
In 2024, Kate become chair of MEDSAC (Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa), the national organisation training and educating clinicians in forensic medical care for those who have experienced sexual assault and/or non-fatal strangulation/suffocation. Kate has a longstanding affiliation with MEDSAC, having been a board member and leading their Education and Training group since 2018.
Kate is a member of the Institute of Directors and completed Stanford Law School – Directors’ College (2024) and the Institute of Directors NZ – Directors’ Course (2023)
She is a passionate advocate for victims of sexual assault and non-fatal strangulation/suffocation and has a vision to improve access to quality, timely care and support for all those affected, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, age or sexuality.
Ken Williamson: KStJ QSM CFInstD JP
With his partners, Ken built Law Mooney Williamson Insurance Brokers (est. 1974) into one of NZ's largest commercial insurance brokerages. After selling 'LMW' to Crombie Lockwood (now Gallagher Insurance), he remains a salaried employee.
Ken’s given much of his life to community service, including almost 50 years with St John, with Queen Elizabeth II making him a Knight of St John. He’s served, and serves, as a governor on a diverse range of Not-for-Profit boards, including within the tertiary & secondary education, and in the health, philanthropy, special needs, broadcasting, women's refuge, science, and local body sectors. Ken’s been a director of several successful businesses, including within the distribution, transport, manufacturing, property, and engineering industries.
He is a Member of the Waitangi Tribunal; a Council Member of WINTEC Polytechnic; and a Trustee of Trust Waikato. He is the foundation Chair of the Momentum Waikato Community Foundation, and a founding trustee of the Waikato Regional Property Trust, with their first project the construction of the new Regional Theatre. In recognition of his contribution to the Institute of Directors, Ken was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship in 2022. Ken and Julie consider Hamilton their Turangawaewae.
Scott Neilson
Scott is a Detective Senior Sergeant in the New Zealand Police based in Hamilton. Scott was involved in setting up the first Waikato Adult Sexual Assault Team.
Scott is passionate about ensuring Police take a victim focused approach when dealing with survivors of sexual violence. He has chaired a number of multi-agency SAATS meetings to create a one Waikato approach to dealing with sexual violence.
Scott believes in a future focus on the education of young people to prevent sexual offending. A member of the MSASS board since its inception in 2019, Scott is driven to see MSASS offer exceptional service to our survivors.
David Oldershaw
David has held senior executive and governance roles in a range of industries including health, manufacturing and services. He gained a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree from Victoria University of Wellington and Master of Commerce (hons) from the University of Auckland.
Since 2023 David has worked as Chief Executive of Community Living, which provides support and housing to disabled people in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Fiona Dalziel
Fiona has strong connections to the Waikato region. She was born in Te Awamutu, raised in Cambridge, attended the University of Waikato and is now raising her own children in the local community.
Fiona has practiced as a solicitor for 10 years and is Partner in a specialist boutique employment law firm, having previously spent a number of years with a local leading law firm. Her community involvement has included the provision of legal education and advice through the Community Law Centre as well as several years as an ambulance and events volunteer with St John.
