Macular Degeneration New Zealand (MDNZ) has appointed Anna Crane as its new general manager, replacing long-serving, well-known MDNZ stalwart Phillippa Pitcher who’s retiring.
Crane has a diverse background in local government and the community and commercial sectors, including being a qualified legal secretary and police constable. She shares MDNZ’s enthusiasm for making a difference for people with macular degeneration, she said. "I am keen to use the skills I have gained from working in various roles to achieve MDNZ's goals."
Retina specialist Dr Dianne Sharp, former chair and founder of MDNZ, welcomed Crane to the organisation and extended a heartfelt thanks to Pitcher for all her incredible work at MDNZ. “Phillippa has been a huge part of the growth of MDNZ. She came from a background of general manager of the Parnell Trust and brought those management skills to MDNZ in 2012. She grasped the vision of MDNZ to increase awareness of MD and the key message that early intervention can save vision.
“She worked tirelessly to develop MDNZ as a charitable trust and to ensure the founding vision was upheld. She managed a number of key events such as the national MD Help Line, regular educational seminars held throughout the country, the hugely successful Treatment Revolution Symposium with Professor Bird from the UK, fundraisers such as the spectacular Race Day event, meetings with members of parliament for advocacy, and MDNZ’s presence at a multitude of conferences.
