Our Team
We are fortunate to have a great team working at and with McHugh & Shaw. We have both permanent employees and a network of independent contractors around the country who have the skills and experience to meet our auditing demands. By not having a central office we are able to reduce travel to audits and thereby limit our own carbon emissions.
Our track record and extended network mean we have the confidence to take on complex jobs. We use external expert independent reviewers to provide technical and independent reviews of our work to meet international auditing standards.
If you are interested in joining our team, please check our careers page for job openings.
Jeska McHugh
Managing Director
Jeska has 20+ years of auditing experience, including compliance, sustainability and international standards gained via conducting audits and verification, as well as roles as researcher, consultant, business manager, trainer and certification manager. She has completed audits in NZ, Australia, Chile, Japan, UAE, Fiji, Thailand and even Antarctica. Jeska has also practical experience running the Farm Environment Audit Programme at Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Technical Specialist - Environmental at AsureQuality, and Senior Science Advisor for Hazardous Substances and Waste. She holds extensive professional qualifications that cover a wide range of auditing areas.
She holds a BSc in Plant & Microbial Sciences, a Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Technology and a Masters in Environmental Management.
Jeska is based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Maree Smith
Lead Auditor and Technical Support
Maree has been a technical advisor and lead auditor at McHugh & Shaw since its inception. She has over nine years of experience in greenhouse gas inventory reporting and carbon auditing.
She holds a Certificate in Environmental Management (Level 4).
Maree is based in Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland.
Rachael Williams-Gaul
Sustainability Assurance Lead
Rachael has worked 15+ years in natural resource management, covering the themes of sustainable economics and rural development, waste and recycling, conservation and environmental management. Rachael has experience implementing HSEQ and carbon management systems, sustainability strategy, data analysis and communication, research, and conducting management system audits. She is a CEP Certified Carbon Auditor as well as a Certified EMS (ISO 14001) auditor.
She holds a BSc in Physiology, a BSc in Chiropractic and a Masters in Natural Resource Management & Ecological Engineering.
Rachael is based in Te Tai o Aorere Tasman.
Antonia Gerlach
Business Development Lead
Sustainability Assurance Advisor
Antonia has worked many years in the grassroots sustainability sector helping small organisations lower their carbon footprints.
She previously managed a not-for-profit organisation where she gained experience in management, strategy, and business development.
She holds a BA(hons) in Politics & International Relations and an MA in Peace and Security Studies.
Antonia is based in Ngāmotu New Plymouth.
Lisa Bridson
Sustainability Assurance Advisor
Lisa has over 20 years of experience in the sustainability area, mainly in the central and local government sector. Her experience includes undertaking greenhouse gas inventories, research and improving sustainable performance.
She holds a Masters of Environmental Management.
Lisa is based in Wakatū Nelson.