Leadership team

  • Dr Marcos Pelenur, Chief Executive

    Dr Marcos Pelenur became Chief Executive of EECA in September 2023. Previously he worked for the Behaviour Insights Team in Ottawa, Canada and several policy leadership positions at MBIE. Marcos has a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cambridge, is a Chartered Professional Member of Engineering New Zealand and is registered as a Chartered Engineer with the UK Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

  • Kaetrin Stephenson, Group Manager – Corporate Services

    Kaetrin joined EECA in July 2026, having held CFO and Executive Leadership roles in Earth Sciences New Zealand/GNS Science and BRANZ and prior to that in the IT, health and motor sectors. Kaetrin is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales and has a First Class Joint Honours degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Edinburgh.

  • Kate Gunthorp, Director Commercial - Commercial Partnerships

    Kate joined EECA in August 2025, having held a wide variety of roles in the banking sector across 18 years. Kate spent a decade as a banking and finance lawyer, before moving into deal structuring and execution, sustainable finance, and climate and sustainability roles at ANZ, Westpac and Kiwibank.

  • Megan Hurnard, Group Manager – Insights, Data and Communications

    Megan joined EECA in July 2024, bringing a strong background leading cross-functional teams, leveraging data and evidence to drive strategic decision-making, and championing customer-centric solutions. Previously, Megan was General Manager, Data, Evidence and Insights at Ministry for the Environment, and held various leadership roles at New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

  • Murray Bell, Group Manager - Policy and Regulation

    Murray joined EECA in 2004, working in and managing a number of teams until 2012. He returned to EECA in March 2019 as Manager, Standards & Regulations, and became Group Manager in 2021. He has had multiple roles including RMA Hearing Commissioner, Chair of the Porirua District Licensing Committee, and Ward Councillor for his local electorate, Kapiti Coast District Council. Murray holds an Honorary Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

  • Richard Briggs, Group Manager - Delivery and Partnerships

    Richard joined EECA in 2014 and has held a number of management positions – including in Business and Transport. He was appointed Group Manager in September 2022. Prior to EECA Richard had an extensive career in IT & telecommunications and has over 30 years’ experience building partnerships and managing third party relationships in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Board members

EECA is governed by a board of 6 to 8 members who are appointed by and report to the Minister for Energy.

  • Wayne Eagleson (Chair)

    Wayne was appointed Chair in July 2026. He is a Wellington based Director of public affairs consultancy Thompson Lewis and sits on the Board of Wellington International Airport Limited. Prior to joining Thompson Lewis, Wayne was Chief of Staff to Prime Ministers John Key and Bill English from 2008 to 2017.

    Outside of his roles at Parliament, Wayne worked in senior management roles at Transpower from 1999 to 2005 and previously held senior corporate affairs roles at Westpac and DB Breweries.

    Wayne graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with Master of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees.

  • Jacqueline Cheyne

    Jacqueline (Jackie) Cheyne is professional director and chartered accountant with a wide range of governance experience and is an experienced Audit and Risk Committee Chair. She has considerable financial, carbon/GHG and ESG reporting experience, including leading the steering group that developed the NZ Climate Reporting Standards. Jackie was previously an audit partner at Deloitte and led the Deloitte NZ sustainability practice. Jackie was previously Chair of Snow Sports NZ and is currently on the boards of Pioneer Energy, Queenstown Airport, EcoCentral, the External Reporting Board and the Sustainability Reporting Board.

  • John Carnegie

    John Carnegie currently leads Energy Resources Aotearoa. With a career commencing at the NZ Treasury, he has extensive expertise in energy economics, climate change policy, government relations and systems thinking, with experience working in a variety of public and private sector roles on natural resources policy, and electricity market and emissions trading scheme design. He was the inaugural Executive Director of the BusinessNZ Energy Council and is currently Chair of the World Energy Council’s Finance and Audit Committee and Board member.

  • Jonathan Kay

    Jonathan Kay is an experienced Director focused on the New Zealand energy and infrastructure sectors.  Jonathan has over 30 years’ experience in energy and related technology sectors, including senior roles at Vector, Landis+Gyr and Unison Networks.  He is currently Chair of Waipa Networks and a Director at Network Waitaki, Horizon Energy Group, Whitestone Contracting and Inframax Construction.

  • Nicholas Albrecht

    Nicholas Albrecht has a strong energy background, including 14 years as head of Vector’s government relations. He is the current owner and director of a consulting company Massey Coates Ltd.

    He is a director of the Auckland Cricket Association, a Trustee of the Eden Park Trust, Victoria Park Sports and Cultural Trust and Foundation North (ASB Community Trust).

  • Vijay Goel

    Vijay Goel is an experienced Chartered Accountant with extensive expertise in financial management, international trade, and corporate governance. He currently serves as a Director at The North and South Trust Limited, focusing on strategic oversight and community engagement. As Managing Director of Nine Consulting Limited, he leads business advisory services. Additionally, he manages strategic investments through Globestride Ventures Limited. Previously, Vijay was the Chairman of Bank of Baroda (New Zealand) Limited.