Our senior leadership team
Leaders of finance, people and operations
Meet our Senior Leadership Team who are accountable for delivering the mission of Eye Institute
Dr. Nick Mantell
Managing Director, co-CEO and Cataract, Refractive Eye Surgeon
A specialist in cataract and refractive laser surgery, Dr Mantell has restored the vision of many thousands of patients during his 20-year career in private practice. He feels that we are privileged to be trusted by our patients to restore their vision. This is a responsibility we all take very seriously.
Dr Mantell loves spending time with his wife Michelle and their dogs, who are truly the masters of the home. Any spare time is for the outdoors – water-skiing, running, and skiing. People would be surprised to know that their surgeon was a former front-rower for Auckland and Waikato Provincial Rugby. His ultimate moment was winning the Ranfurly Shield with Waikato!
John Fischer
co-CEO
Prior to joining Eye Institute, John was the Chief transformation officer at listed telecom Vital, where he was involved in restructuring the business. Before Vital, John spent 25 years trading global markets in NZ, Australia, the UK and Singapore.
When he is not working, he is a keen traveller, follows professional surfing, reads and still finds time to trade markets. He is married with two adult children.
Gary Hampson
Chief Financial Officer
Gary joined Eye Institute in May 2018 in a contract role and took up the position of CFO in August 2018. Before his current role, Gary spent 25 years in the financial services industry with Allied Finance, MARAC Finance and BMW Financial Services.
He has been a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand since 1987, and when he is not in the office, Gary can often be found on the Golf Course.
Stacy Valentine
Chief Operating Officer
Stacy leads the Operations team across all Eye Institute sites and has an extensive leadership background, having held previous roles as Surgical Services Manager, Operations Manager, PACU Charge Nurse Manager, and other roles at MercyAscot Hospitals and Auckland City Hospital.
Stacy is an RGON with a PG Dip in Business Administration from University of Auckland. Stacy is passionate about leading teams and individuals in such a way that allows them to develop their full potential, delivering on customer experience and optimising points of difference. Stacy also puts great importance on cultural support and inclusion in the workplace. A little added fact, in her spare time, Stacy loves hiking and has completed two 800km distance treks throughout Spain & Portugal. As well as currently working her way through NZ great walks.
Reuben Gordon
Clinical Operations Manager and Team Leader of Optometrists and Technicians
Reuben joined Eye Institute in 2015, working as part of the clinical team. He became the Optometrists and Ophthalmic Technicians team leader in 2017 and Clinical Operations Manager in 2020.
Reuben’s perceptiveness and sense of humour help to create an enjoyable and professional environment to work in. He manages and coordinates his team of 27 members, working across the five Eye Institute locations.
Reuben is an NZ trained optometrist. He worked as a community-based optometrist before starting working for ADHB at Greenlane Ophthalmology department in 2009. Reuben still maintains a presence at ADHB working in glaucoma and speciality contact lens clinics.
Reuben and his wife have three children, which keep them entertained and active. When he has the chance, he tends to his edible garden or plans the next thing to build at home.
Roz Muirhead
Head of People & Culture
Roz joined our team in December 2022 as our Head of People & Culture. With a career in a broad range of industries that span Healthcare, FMCG, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and IT, in both global and local businesses, Roz is passionate about enabling an exceptional employee and customer experience. To enable this, Roz takes a highly collaborative approach in partnering with the business to drive a curious and inclusive culture where everyone is set up for success. In her role, Roz also leads our Health & Safety programmes to ensure our people stay safe at work everyday.
Roz has two teenage boys who keep her busy when she’s not at work and enjoys spending any spare time on adventures with family and friends.
Dr. Nick Mantell
Managing Director, co-CEO and Cataract, Refractive Eye Surgeon
A specialist in cataract and refractive laser surgery, Dr Mantell has restored the vision of many thousands of patients during his 20-year career in private practice. He feels that we are privileged to be trusted by our patients to restore their vision. This is a responsibility we all take very seriously.
Dr Mantell loves spending time with his wife Michelle and their dogs, who are truly the masters of the home. Any spare time is for the outdoors – water-skiing, running, and skiing. People would be surprised to know that their surgeon was a former front-rower for Auckland and Waikato Provincial Rugby. His ultimate moment was winning the Ranfurly Shield with Waikato!
John Fischer
co-CEO
Prior to joining Eye Institute, John was the Chief transformation officer at listed telecom Vital, where he was involved in restructuring the business. Before Vital, John spent 25 years trading global markets in NZ, Australia, the UK and Singapore.
When he is not working, he is a keen traveller, follows professional surfing, reads and still finds time to trade markets. He is married with two adult children.
Gary Hampson
Chief Financial Officer
Gary joined Eye Institute in May 2018 in a contract role and took up the position of CFO in August 2018. Before his current role, Gary spent 25 years in the financial services industry with Allied Finance, MARAC Finance and BMW Financial Services.
He has been a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand since 1987, and when he is not in the office, Gary can often be found on the Golf Course.
Stacy Valentine
Chief Operating Officer
Stacy leads the Operations team across all Eye Institute sites and has an extensive leadership background, having held previous roles as Surgical Services Manager, Operations Manager, PACU Charge Nurse Manager, and other roles at MercyAscot Hospitals and Auckland City Hospital.
Stacy is an RGON with a PG Dip in Business Administration from University of Auckland. Stacy is passionate about leading teams and individuals in such a way that allows them to develop their full potential, delivering on customer experience and optimising points of difference. Stacy also puts great importance on cultural support and inclusion in the workplace. A little added fact, in her spare time, Stacy loves hiking and has completed two 800km distance treks throughout Spain & Portugal. As well as currently working her way through NZ great walks.
Reuben Gordon
Clinical Operations Manager and Team Leader of Optometrists and Technicians
Reuben joined Eye Institute in 2015, working as part of the clinical team. He became the Optometrists and Ophthalmic Technicians team leader in 2017 and Clinical Operations Manager in 2020.
Reuben’s perceptiveness and sense of humour help to create an enjoyable and professional environment to work in. He manages and coordinates his team of 27 members, working across the five Eye Institute locations.
Reuben is an NZ trained optometrist. He worked as a community-based optometrist before starting working for ADHB at Greenlane Ophthalmology department in 2009. Reuben still maintains a presence at ADHB working in glaucoma and speciality contact lens clinics.Reuben and his wife have two children, which keep them entertained and active. When he has the chance, he tends to his edible garden or plans the next thing to build at home.
Reuben and his wife have two children, which keep them entertained and active. When he has the chance, he tends to his edible garden or plans the next thing to build at home.
Roz Muirhead
Head of People & Culture
Roz joined our team in December 2022 as our Head of People & Culture. With a career in a broad range of industries that span Healthcare, FMCG, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and IT, in both global and local businesses, Roz is passionate about enabling an exceptional employee and customer experience. To enable this, Roz takes a highly collaborative approach in partnering with the business to drive a curious and inclusive culture where everyone is set up for success. In her role, Roz also leads our Health & Safety programmes to ensure our people stay safe at work everyday.
Roz has two teenage boys who keep her busy when she’s not at work and enjoys spending any spare time on adventures with family and friends.
