North Canterbury Radio Trust Board
Karen Dugdale | Chair
Karen is a skilled relationship builder with a natural ability to establish trust, genuine connection, and shared purpose across diverse groups. As a mindset coach, she understands the impact that strong relationships and positive organisational culture can have on engagement and contribution, and she enjoys bringing that perspective to board service through collaborative governance and constructive communication.
With previous experience on a local not-for-profit board and hands-on contracted work within the sector, she brings a practical understanding of governance and the challenges facing community organisations. Driven by a keen interest in local engagement, strategic growth, and stakeholder relationships, Karen looks forward to contributing her skills and experience to support the organisation's ongoing success and positive impact within the community.
Aaron Clark | Vice Chair
Aaron is a well-connected community figure with an extensive network across North Canterbury. His background combines hands-on business ownership experience, navigating the challenges of both the GFC and the Canterbury Quakes, with a long and genuine history of involvement in local sport, community clubs, and volunteer-led organisations.
With practical governance experience through his work with Trust Deeds and Charity status, Aaron has advised and supported a range of clubs including Waimakariri Passchendaele Advisory Board, Swannanoa Cricket, Rangiora Lions, Rangiora BMX, and North Canterbury Rams Indoor Cricket. He brings a calm, measured approach to every challenge, offering the kind of steady, considered thinking that supports sound governance, clear decision-making, and a deep respect for the communities these organisations serve.
Belinda Canton | Treasurer
Belinda is an experienced Chartered Accountant and Director at Oxford Edge Limited, with over 30 years in accounting, advisory, and forensic financial analysis. Her career has focused on delivering independent, evidence-based financial insight across complex commercial, legal, and community environments, bringing strong analytical capability, governance awareness, and practical business experience directly transferable to board-level decision-making.
Particularly known for building strong, trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including business owners, legal professionals, trustees, and community organisations, she supports effective governance, collaboration, and long-term organisational success.
Melanie James | HR Consultant
Melanie is a seasoned HR professional based in rural North Canterbury. Her
experience spans corporate and medium-sized private-sector organisations,
including senior HR and consulting roles advising on people management,
employment relations, performance, culture and organisational change. She has
partnered with senior leadership teams to strengthen employee engagement,
develop people practices and build capability for success.
Known for her collaborative, pragmatic and people-focused approach, Melanie builds
trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels. She is a certified Coach and
trained Mediator, a Chartered Member of the CIPD UK and a member of Human
Resources New Zealand (HRNZ). Her experience includes voluntary committee
roles for not-for-profit associations, including past Branch Secretary for HRNZ
Canterbury. Melanie now contracts as an independent HR Consultant, providing
advice and interim HR support.
Sharon Miller | Acting Secretary
Sharon is a proud North Cantabrian, born and raised in Hawarden before moving to Christchurch for work. She has since lived across Christchurch, Wellington, and Rangiora with her husband Glenn, and now calls Woodend home. A singer and songwriter since the age of six, she has built a well-known presence in North Canterbury's music scene, writing "The Wall" - a tribute to the Avon River memorial, and hosting Compass Country on Compass FM for six years. She is currently recording her second album, Frock Rock.
Sharon also brings hands-on governance experience to the board, having previously served as Secretary for Compass FM and now returning to the role. She works full-time as a Personal Assistant at Christchurch Women's Hospital, supporting 40 consultants, and runs her own small business, Art of Aroma. This mix of broadcasting, healthcare administration, and business ownership gives her a practical, people-focused approach to organisational support.