SenateSHJ
Managing Partner
SenateSHJ was founded in 2002, and since that time we have grown to become one of Australasia's most successful independent consultancies. We have won multiple awards, including being recognised in the 2021 Holmes Report, which ranked us in the top 250 for public relations agencies in the world.
Our diverse backgrounds include government, healthcare, journalism, media, marketing and business consulting, digital and social strategy management, as well as communication consulting. We pride ourselves on our work, our people and our industry.
At SenateSHJ, we exist to help people communicate. Communication is the force that drives progress. And it’s never been more important.
Maree Wilson, SenateSHJ's Managing Partner, is an internationally-recognised communicator with extensive corporate, issues management and leadership experience gained at home and abroad. She is a trusted advisor to her clients and leads our Corporate Practice.
Maree has deep experience in the primary sector, food, manufacturing, aged care, aviation, finance and insurance industries. Her consulting experience includes a long-term secondment to Fonterra, where she worked for the dairy co-operative’s China office from 2013 to 2017.
Kate Walsh is a Partner at SenateSHJ. Kate has 16 years’ strategic communications experience working within the New Zealand, Australian, American and Middle Eastern markets, with a focus on the financial sector.
She provides strategic counsel to a wide range of organisations, from large NZX and ASX listed firms, through to fund managers, private equity firms, and public sector entities.
Kate has advised a number of both public and private clients, including AustralianSuper, Ampol, Centuria, Infatil, PwC, Mondiale VGL, ASB, Contact Energy, HSBC, Salt Fund Management, Vodafone, SKY and Oyster Property Group.
Jen Nolan is a Partner at SenateSHJ. Jen has more than 25 years’ experience in communications and corporate affairs, with people leadership and mentoring skills. She has deep credentials in crisis and issues management, drawing on her corporate, public affairs and media background.
Jen has held several roles for large government agencies and is a former broadcast journalist and producer.
Jen was more recently the External Relations Director for Rio Tinto in New Zealand, and since leaving that role worked with the Ministry for the Environment where her stakeholder engagement and consultation advice has been held up as an exemplar by the Climate Change Commission.
Andy Cameron is a Partner at SenateSHJ. Andy has 20 years’ experience in communications, with a focus on issues and crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning.
He has strong relationship management skills and is experienced in advising senior leaders across the public and private sector, including spending nine months as the Strategic Adviser to a public sector Chief Executive.
Prior to re-joining SenateSHJ, Andy was New Zealand’s Advisor to the International Energy Agency in Paris. He has also worked for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade where he led the international and trade strands of a number of All-of-Government responses.
Esther Guy Meakin is an Associate Partner at SenateSHJ. Esther joined SenateSHJ after a career focused on international business, government relations and diplomacy.
Esther started her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade where she was a diplomat and trade negotiator. More recently, Esther has held senior positions working for the New Zealand sheep and beef sector. In those roles she developed strategies and initiatives that aimed to better place the sector to respond to challenges, capitalise on opportunities and improve reputational standing.
Brendon O'Connor is the Group Managing Director. As a management consultant he provides advice to a range of high-profile clients on organisational strategy and transformation.
Brendon has been an advisor for over ten years, has previously run his own consulting firm and held senior leadership roles including Director of Strategy for New Zealand Rugby and Head of Sponsorship for Vodafone New Zealand.
BusinessDesk Consultancy of the Year - 2022
PRovoke Asia-Pacific Corporate Consultancy of the Year - Shortlisted 2021
The Sabre Awards - 2019, 2017, 2013, 2012, 2011
PRIA Golden Target Awards - 2019, 2015, 2014, 2013
The Holmes Report - 2019, 2017, 2013
Mumbrella CommsCon Awards - 2020