ABOUT ONE ECHO ALPHA
A specialist practice built on discretion, structure, and trust.
One Echo Alpha was founded to give boards and senior leaders the kind of structured, independent support that good governance actually requires - without the formality of a corporate firm or the unpredictability of ad-hoc help.
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Kathryn Hill brings two decades of military and executive experience to independent board support.
After 18 years as a Supply Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy, Kathryn established One Echo Alpha to provide structured, practical support to boards and executives operating in high-accountability environments.
Her approach is shaped by the discipline of military operations and a close understanding of how effective governance protects organisations — particularly those operating across defence, regulated, and public-facing sectors.
Based in Christchurch, Kathryn works with clients across New Zealand. Outside of work, she can usually be found with her two dogs, tending to an ever-growing collection of house plants, knitting blankets, or enjoying a well-earned coffee (or gin - in separate glasses).
MEET THE TEAM
The people you'll actually work with.
One Echo Alpha keeps its team small and senior on purpose. Every engagement is handled by people who understand the standards board-level work demands.
Zoe Shepherd
SUBCONTRACTING VA - BOARD SECRETARY & ADMIN SUPPORT
My passion is assisting boards to focus on their vision, refine their strategy, and make decisions by taking care of the board reports, minute-taking, event coordination, and confidential and public-facing communications.
I've served as a board secretary for four years and now as a chairperson myself.
Outside work you'll find me tramping new trails, swimming in a river or the sea, or curled up with a book.
Haylee McNoe
SUBCONTRACTING VA - BOARD SECRETARY & ADMIN SUPPORT
I'm a versatile office professional and financial administrator who thrives on keeping organisations running smoothly through reliable governance, financial, and administrative support. With a strong work ethic, excellent organisational skills, and a practical, solutions-focused approach, I enjoy helping organisations achieve their goals and make a positive impact.
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me painting with watercolours or spending time with my husband and daughter on our lifestyle block in North Canterbury.
Shelley Jones
SUBCONTRACTING VA - BOARD AND EXECUTIVE SUPPORT
I thrive on bringing order to chaos. From governance support to executive assistance, I enjoy helping people stay organised, informed and focused on what matters most.
Outside of work, you'll usually find me swapping the boardroom for the garden with my two furry mates, who are excellent at providing oversight from a comfortable distance and auditing the occasional strawberry.
Gemma Chadwick
SUBCONTRACTING VA - BOARD SECRETARY, GOVERNANCE, FINANCE & EXECUTIVE SUPPORT
I enjoy helping organisations bring structure to busy environments through reliable governance, finance and executive support. With experience across board secretariat, payroll, bookkeeping, project management and business operations, I focus on creating practical systems that keep work moving, strengthen processes, and give clients confidence that the details are under control.
Outside of work you'll usually find me exploring new places, enjoying a good book, or spending time with family.
Kylie Leonard
SUBCONTRACTING VA - PUBLIC SECTOR
Customer service has always been at the heart of my work. Most recently I've provided high-quality administrative and client support in a busy virtual office, keeping systems running and communication clear.
Outside work I enjoy hiking, running and time with my young family.
Could this be you?
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM?
We're always on the lookout for experienced board secretaries and VAs with bookkeeping / creative / administrative skills to come onboard and support our clients.
If you'd like to find out more, get in touch.
Edda
CHIEF TIME KEEPER
By huffing at regular intervals throughout the day, Edda maintains a strict schedule of treats, pats and energy-boosting walks. She takes meeting breaks seriously and has never once missed a 3pm snack deadline. A firm believer that no problem is too big to be solved by a quick lie-down in the sun.
Juno
BODYGUARD
Juno follows the Director everywhere, charms the clients and team members, and provides a soothing soundtrack of snoring. No parcel arrives unannounced and no morale dips on her watch. Her open-door policy means she's always available for a pat, a treat, or moral support during a tricky email.
OUR STORY
From naval supply to independent governance support.
The thread between One Echo Alpha and Kathryn's earlier career is the same one that defines the practice today: structured operations, attention to detail, and the discretion that high-accountability work demands.
Commissioned, Royal NZ Navy
Joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as a Supply Officer, beginning eighteen years of operational and logistics leadership across deployments and shore postings.
Senior operational appointments
Took on senior supply and operations responsibilities — managing complex logistics, coordinating sensitive information, and leading teams in environments where accuracy is non-negotiable.
Executive support & governance
Moved into executive coordination roles supporting senior leadership, where the pattern that became One Echo Alpha first took shape: senior leaders losing time to operational work that should sit elsewhere.
One Echo Alpha founded
Established the practice to provide independent board secretarial and governance support to organisations across New Zealand — starting with boards in defence, professional services, and the not-for-profit sector.
Supporting boards across NZ
Now supporting more than ten boards across multiple sectors, with over 80 meetings covered annually and ongoing engagements with organisations operating under regulatory and statutory scrutiny.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
Three values, applied consistently.
These aren't aspirations. They're the operating standards every engagement is held to — from a single meeting cover through to a multi-year retainer.
- 01
Integrity
Acting honestly and transparently at all times while handling sensitive board-level information. The work depends on directors trusting that what's discussed in confidence stays that way, without exception.
- 02
Community
Supporting strong board culture, relationships, and professional connection through clear communication. Good governance isn't only about documents. It's about the working relationships that hold a board together.
- 03
Conscientious
Delivering accurate work, maintaining attention to detail, and ensuring actions are followed through. The small things, the chase email, the corrected register, the careful minute, are what make the difference.
HOW WE WORK
Useful to know: what we are, and what we're not.
One Echo Alpha is a specialist practice. The shape of the work is deliberate, and it's helpful to be clear about both ends.
- WHAT WE ARE
A specialist practice in board secretarial and governance support.
— Independent, embedded support for boards in regulated and high-accountability environments.
— A long-term professional relationship, not transactional, not ad-hoc.
— Comfortable with the standards, protocols, and confidentiality of senior governance work.
— Direct, calm, and practical. We get on with the work.
- WHAT WE'RE NOT
A general administrative service, and not legal counsel.
— Not a virtual assistant agency. The role and standards are different.
— Not a legal advisor; we work alongside specialist governance counsel where needed.
— Not a generalist consultancy. The focus stays on board support, intentionally.
— Not chasing scale. Capacity is intentionally limited so quality and discretion stay consistent.
Let's talk about whether we're the right fit.
The best way to know is a short conversation. We'll talk about your board, where the pressure points are, and whether One Echo Alpha is the right kind of support for what you need, no obligation either way.
Director
Kathryn Hill
Phone: +64 27 699 3522
Email: kathryn@oneechoalpha.co.nz
Currently taking new clients
