Council Members

Hon CAPT (Navy) Bevan Killick (Chair)

Chairperson of the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) and Honorary Captain in the Royal New Zealand Navy 

Based near Ōtautahi Christchurch with a background as a chartered accountant, Bevan has several roles as a professional director, sitting on commercial and Crown boards. With military involvement in New Zealand and internationally, Bevan has a reputation for sound governance and getting things done.

Through his professional work and governance roles, Bevan became involved with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Ministry of Defence, Gurkhas Australia, Canterbury Officers’ Club, the Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign and Taskforce Kiwi.  

Bevan’s insight gained while working in civilian and defence capacities assists in developing key relationships between employers and defence personnel. Overseeing the DESC, Bevan is proud to chair an impressive team that works exceptionally well together.

CAPT Corina Bruce RNZNR (Deputy Chair)

Deputy Chairperson of the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) and Captain in the Royal New Zealand Navy

Based in Whāingaroa Raglan, Deputy Chair of the DESC, Captain Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge from the military and business sectors. She has served in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Regular and Reserve Forces in Command roles.

Captain Bruce is a partner and director in a range of business ventures. She has been a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards in the Board and Management category. After having children, Captain Bruce became the first NZDF Regular Force to work on a % basis, starting at 60%, so she could balance her parenting, business and military commitments. Her work with young staff and having children created insights into different approaches to developing teams and managing staff. 

Responsible for tech training of Navy Reservists, Captain Bruce saw first-hand the energy, loyalty and transferable skills of Reservists from other civilian sectors. Motivated by a desire to support reservists and their employers from medium and small businesses, Captain Bruce represents their interests from her position on the DESC.

Brenda Steele

Based in South Kaipara, Brenda holds several governance roles on boards and focuses on creating opportunities to provide space for innovation, sustainability, and enhancement for future generations.

Brenda is passionate about serving people and communities. Motivated by her observation of how the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) continues to be a big part of the community in South Kaipara and with several whanau serving in the NZDF, Brenda connected with the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) board role. 

Brenda’s contribution to the DESC includes helping make cultural changes reflecting New Zealand’s diversity. 

Felicity Evans

Based in Wellington, Felicity is a Human Resources Executive and independent director serving on several public and charitable Boards. 

Felicity has served as a Royal New Zealand Navy Reserve and Limited Service Volunteer’s (LSV) Course Patron.  She is an independent director on the Boards of GNS Science Limited and Global Women and, previously, the General Manager of Human Resources for ANZ New Zealand and Pacific. She is also chair of the board for Endometriosis NZ.

Motivated by a strong admiration for all New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel and their individual and collective contributions to New Zealand society, Felicity contributes to the Human Resources strategic ambitions of NZDF to support Reservists, Cadets and the transition of veterans. 

Felicity was instrumental in a movement to provide free period products to LSV course participants after noticing how period poverty could impact volunteers. The NZDF now provides free period products across the whole organisation.

Jules Fulton

Based in Melbourne, Jules has a Trans-Tasman role at Fulton Hogan as Executive General Manager- Culture. 

Fulton Hogan has been a committed supporter of the Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) Programme for 20 years leading to a strong relationship with both the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). 

After serving as an LSV Patron, Jules found an ongoing interest in the LSV programme. An invitation to join the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) as a Fulton Hogan representative proved to be a rewarding experience, motivating Jules to encourage employers to try the benefits of employing LSV graduates and for friends and colleagues to consider becoming a patron of the LSV programme.

Kirk Hope

Kirk brings a background in law, current business and industry, regulatory processes, and government processes to the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC). Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Kirk has served as a Limited Services Volunteer (LSV) Course Patron.

As Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, he sits on a range of Government Working Groups, including the ‘Future of Work Group’, and works across New Zealand to promote the interests of BusinessNZ.

Kirk’s motivations to become a DESC Board Member are to share knowledge and business network connections with the New Zealand Defence Force and Defence personnel. 

Providing pathways between Private and Public sectors, Kirk believes there is “plenty to be gained through working together and sharing the wealth

Captain David Morgan

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Captain Morgan has a close working relationship with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). He has served as a Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) Patron and has an ongoing interest in the

LSV programme.

As the Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer for Air New Zealand, he has been a member of the Air New Zealand Executive team since 2008, and has significant change management experience, including business turnaround, restructuring and introducing new aircraft types and technologies. 

Air New Zealand’s long relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force(NZDF) allows sharing of capability and experience that benefits both organisations. Being a member of the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) team allows Captain Morgan to maximise these benefits and highlight the potential benefits of supporting NZDF to other organisations. 

Warner Cowin

Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Warner is a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Veteran and Chartered Professional Engineer of Ngāti Porou and Pākehā descent. A passionate entrepreneur, Warner is the founder and CEO of Height - a boutique procurement and business consultancy which has been operating within the engineering and infrastructure space since 2013. Warner is invested in growing capability within the construction sector and has a passion for mentoring military veterans and Māori and Pasifika Businesses. This has seen him naturally link in with Te Puni Kōkiri and the Government’s Supplier Diversity Agency Amotai. As a Royal New Zealand Air Force Officer and UN Peace Keeper, Warner has a strong base of personal and professional connections to those who have served. He is passionate about the NZDF’s role and a huge advocate for supporting veterans and Limited Service Volunteers’ transition into the workforce.

MAJGEN John Boswell DSD

Chief of Army (New Zealand)

Major General John Boswell is the Chief of Defence Force appointed New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) representative on the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC). 

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Major General John Boswell is the Chief of Army (CA).  He has deployed on numerous operations and was awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) in recognition of his service in Afghanistan.

As Chief of Army, he commands the Army Reserves (Territorials), the main component of the Reserve Forces of the NZDF. MAJGEN Boswell brings expert knowledge of Reserves and their needs to the DESC, providing a communication bridge between the NZDF and their volunteer defence people.

Colonel Jason Dyhrberg DSD

Assistant Chief for Defence Reserve Forces Youth and Sport 

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Colonel Dyhrberg is a graduate of the United Kingdom’s Advanced Command and Staff Course. From his Service in Iraq, he is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Decoration. 

With a long career as a service person for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), COL Dyhrberg provides operational knowledge of the NZDF, creating a helpful bridge between the Defence Employer Support Council (DESC) and NZDF.