Lani Thompson - Vice President

Lani Thompson

Vice President

LLB (Hons), MInstD

I came to Whakatane in 2009 for work and fell in love with the area and my now husband. We are rural based, growing maize for grain and silage and finishing cattle near Awakeri. Between us we have six children aged 13 to 22 years old.

I currently work in our own businesses comprising; commercial property, importation, sales management, account management, and farming. My career history includes: recruitment, brokering, banking, and property management. I have a Law Degree with first class Honours, am a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and have HSR level 1 Health & Safety certification. 

Corporate world, Board of Directors, Trustee for a Charitable organisation, and on small committees, my skills are reasonably broad. Currently a Director on the Board of Speedway New Zealand (SNZ) the governing body of NZ Speedway motorsport, I hold the HR, H&S and Audit & Risk portfolios. I am also a Board member of EPIC Inc, formed last year by a group of business owners eager to create events and promote vibrancy, interest, and economic sustainability in the Whakatane CBD.

I understand how a board works and the difference between Governance, Management and Operations. I am genuinely interested in the economic and social success of the Eastern Bay and believe that the Chamber of Commerce has an integral part to play in collaboration with other stakeholders in achieving that.