About

Catherine Abel-Pattinson is an experienced non-executive director and senior executive with a background spanning healthcare, science, biotechnology and digital technology. She brings expertise in governance, organisational performance, risk and assurance, supported by practical experience translating strategy into operational delivery. Catherine is Chief Operating Officer and Chief AI Officer at Netsafe New Zealand, combining operational leadership with responsibilities for AI governance and commercial development. Her work connects innovation with responsible adoption, organisational capability and public trust. Catherine brings a people-centred perspective to governance and a strong understanding of the relationship between quality, safety and performance. Her governance experience spans health, science, professional regulation and accreditation. She is also a director of Whakarongorau Aotearoa, the national telehealth provider, and a member of Global Women. In 2024, Catherine received the Women in Security Aotearoa award for Combatting Fraud and Misrepresentation, recognising her leadership in addressing online scams. Catherine holds an MBA and a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors New Zealand. She was awarded a Johnson & Johnson Scholarship to attend the European Health Leaders Programme at INSEAD and has undertaken further study in financial markets at Yale and leadership at INSEAD.