TAAANZ
BOARD MEMBERS
All TAAANZ Board members provide their services and expertise on a voluntary basis. The current Board members are:
Mandy Lacy
Co-President
Mandy is committed to supporting opportunities in New Zealand for people to gather, discuss and listen about transactional analysis in; professional practice, contemporary theory and methods, and latest research.
Mandy is a TSTA in the organisational field and holds a Masters degree in Learning Science and Technology and a PhD from the Research Centre for Learning and Innovation at the University of Sydney.
Mandy works with organisations in the areas of transformation, benefits realisation management and quality assurance. She is a writer and emerging artist @ www.mandylacy.nz
Gerry Pyves
Co-President
MA., P.G.C.E., C.T.A. Gerry is a qualified teacher, massage therapist and UKCP and PBANZ registered psychotherapist. He is a member of ITAA and has been in private clinical practice since 1984.
Gerry is a PTSTA(P) and the founder and creator of NO HANDS® Massage. He is the author of “Touching Trauma, Building Resilience” which is a breakthrough book on the use of touch to remove trauma from the human nervous system.
In addition to his Wanaka private practice, Gerry runs training and supervision groups in Psychotactile Therapy for both qualified and trainee psychotherapists. He lives in Wānaka, New Zealand and can be contacted through his website: www.gerrypyves.com or by direct email: info@gerrypyves.com
Michelle Leigh
Treasurer
Michelle is the founder and owner of The Accounts Department Limited, an accounting and bookkeeping firm based in Silverdale, Auckland. She established the business in 2000 to create flexibility and balance while raising her two young sons. Over the years, Michelle has grown the company into a trusted partner for businesses, providing expert accounting solutions and strategic support.
Now, with her sons grown and two grandchildren to enjoy, Michelle lives near the beach just 30 minutes from the office. She is entering an exciting new chapter—stepping back from day-to-day business operations to volunteer her skills and experience with a like-minded nonprofit organisation. Passionate about making a difference, Michelle brings over two decades of accounting expertise, business leadership, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
Evgeniya Mikheeva
Secretary
Evgeniya's journey into Transactional Analysis (TA) began with her own personal psychotherapy. This transformative experience led her to pursue TA training with EATA, and she is now working toward her CTA certification while living in New Zealand.
With a broad range of expertise, Evgeniya is also engaged in ongoing training as a Color Therapist and Kinesiologist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and surfing.
At the recent TA Conference Evgeniya discovered an opportunity to support the New Zealand TA Board, where she is eager to contribute her passion and energy to supporting the growth and thrive of the TA community. She feels fortunate to be part of such an incredible team.
Dr Keith Tudor
Board Member
Keith Tudor, PhD, CQSW, Dip. Psychotherapy, CTA(P), TSTA(P) is professor of psychotherapy at Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand. He has been involved in TA for over 35 years, and is the author of over 100 publications on TA, including four books.
In 2020, he was the recipient (with Graeme Summers) of the Eric Berne Memorial Award for their work on co-creative TA and design in TA.
Keith has a small private practice in West Auckland as a health care provider and transactional analyst.
Jonathan Kopruch
Board Member
Jonathan works as a Transactional Analyst and psychotherapist both privately and within a kaupapa Māori organisation, all within the Wellington region. He is passionate for supporting people, particularly youth, in fulfilling their potential and maximizing their well-being through exploration on how an individual's personality has been shaped by experience.
Jonathan has a background in Therapeutic Care for children dealing with trauma and in Early Childhood Education. He is passionate about environment conservation, protection, and regenerative practices.
Jonathan is a Certified Transactional Analyst in the field of psychotherapy, CTA(P), and a registered psychotherapist with the Psychotherapy Board of Aotearoa New Zealand (PBANZ). He holds a master’s degree, MSc, in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy from Middlesex University. He has joined the TAAANZ board to give back to the TA community, which he has found so helpful and supportive.
Janet Matehe
Board Member
Kia ora,
Ko wai au?
Ko Hikurangi te Maunga
Ko Waiapu te awa
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi
Ko Nukutaimemeha te Waka
Ko Iritekura te Marae
Ko te whanau a iritekura te hapu
Ko Waipiro akau te moana
Ko Tangimangaone te wharekai
Ko Hato Aperehama te whare karakia
Ko Porourangi te tangata
Ko Janet Matehe taku ingoa
Tiana Hepi
Board Member
Kia ora, I joined the TAAANZ Board to build my community governance experience, but also because Transactional Analysis aligns with something that’s been part of my life for a long time – understanding how our personality, experiences, and inner patterns shape the way we connect with others.
With a background in trusts, governance, and accounting support, I bring a steady, practical approach to the Board. At the same time, I’m someone who values self-awareness and deeper insight.
I’ve always been drawn to psychology and reflective practices, and TA feels like a meaningful way to explore how we grow, relate, and make sense of our inner world.
As an intuitive introvert, I appreciate the clarity TA offers, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support a community that encourages thoughtful connection across Aotearoa.
Natalija Isailovic
Board Member
Natalija holds a bachelor of psychology and began her career in Serbia, where she gained clinical experience supporting neurodivergent children and youth, those navigating mental health challenges, and young cancer survivors.
After moving to Aotearoa New Zealand, she has been working for a few years in the special education sector, supporting ākonga with diverse learning and developmental needs where she further developed a strong passion for walking alongside whānau.
Motherhood has deepened Natalija’s appreciation for the journey of matrescence, and she holds particular interest in supporting new mums as they find confidence and connection in this new chapter.
Natalija joined TAAANZ because she believes deeply in the gentle yet powerful impact of Transactional Analysis.
She hopes to contribute to sharing TA with others and to support people in using its principles to grow, connect, and thrive in their everyday lives.
