We are creating a fairer financial world where everyone thrives.
It's time to change the traditional approach to debt collection.
Traditional debt collection is outdated, impersonal, and keeps people stuck in a spiral of bad debt. We want to change this. Our vision is a world that gives everyone the chance to feel financial certainty and confidence.
Welcome to DebtManagers
We're on a mission to create a fairer financial world that gives everyone the chance to feel financial certainty and confidence. Founded on principles of fairness, trust, and respect, we never charge fees or excessive interest but instead create easy, sustainable repayment plans that help people climb out of debt and become valued customers again. All while delivering better value and financial outcomes for companies and giving back to the communities we work in.
Our Values
Our values underpin everything we do
Fair
All our relationships will be seen as a meeting of equals, and fairness, professionalism and empathy will be at the heart of our processes. We will be understanding about genuine hardship and always value the other party’s needs, wants and perspective, negotiating with these in mind. We will also offer a balanced vision to those who owe debt, so they’re able to identify our needs as important to them too.
Fast
Our offering is seamless at all touchpoints, combining the swift accuracy of technology with highly trained and skilled staff who are empowered and encouraged to make fair and workable decisions. Simplified, intuitive and easily understood digital experiences offer effortless solutions that all our clients and customers can use.
Fearless
We are confident and purposeful in what we do because we believe in the positive transformation we deliver. We employ the best people and our skill sets help more people rise out of debt to ensure they and the companies we partner with can thrive. Society is taught to be afraid or even ashamed of indebtedness. We see it as a normal part of the consumer cycle, removing the stigma and encouraging people to deal with the issue without whakamā.
Meet our team
Isaac Manase
Chief Revenue Officer
Contact
imanase@debtmanagers.co.nz
Isaac is an experienced leader who is passionate about helping clients achieve their goals.
Before joining DebtManagers, Isaac worked at Russell McVeagh in New Zealand and Slaughter and May in London. He has extensive transactional experience across a range of sectors and has advised some of New Zealand’s largest and most sophisticated businesses on complex legal, strategic and commercial matters.
Known for his technical expertise and commercial approach to problem-solving, Isaac strongly believes in the positive difference DebtManagers’ work can make in customers’ lives.
Before joining DebtManagers, Isaac worked at Russell McVeagh in New Zealand and Slaughter and May in London. He has extensive transactional experience across a range of sectors and has advised some of New Zealand’s largest and most sophisticated businesses on complex legal, strategic and commercial matters.
Known for his technical expertise and commercial approach to problem-solving, Isaac strongly believes in the positive difference DebtManagers’ work can make in customers’ lives.
Kieran Stott
General Manager Collections
Contact
kstott@debtmanagers.co.nz
Kieran brings over 15 years of collections experience and a practical understanding of what it takes to deliver fair, consistent outcomes for customers.
His background spans operations, compliance and field services, including time as a Community Agent at DebtManagers. This has given him a grounded view of the full customer journey and the importance of combining strong standards with respectful, reliable service.
Known for his calm leadership, sound judgement and practical approach to problem-solving, Kieran sees DebtManagers’ empathetic, community-connected model as a positive disruption for both customers and staff. He believes closer engagement with the communities we live and work in will also help the team continue to learn and grow.
His background spans operations, compliance and field services, including time as a Community Agent at DebtManagers. This has given him a grounded view of the full customer journey and the importance of combining strong standards with respectful, reliable service.
Known for his calm leadership, sound judgement and practical approach to problem-solving, Kieran sees DebtManagers’ empathetic, community-connected model as a positive disruption for both customers and staff. He believes closer engagement with the communities we live and work in will also help the team continue to learn and grow.
Chris Fifita
New Zealand Phone Solutions Lead
Chris brings together people, processes and technology to make phone channels work effectively, supported by strong connections across New Zealand’s financial mentoring community.
As New Zealand Phone Solutions Lead, he works with his team to improve workflows, tools and conversations so customers receive a consistent and respectful experience. He also works closely with financial mentors, community organisations and other stakeholders to improve outcomes across the sector.
A hands-on leader, Chris draws inspiration from his team and values the knowledge that comes from working alongside community partners. He believes investing in people and strong relationships is central to achieving better outcomes for customers
As New Zealand Phone Solutions Lead, he works with his team to improve workflows, tools and conversations so customers receive a consistent and respectful experience. He also works closely with financial mentors, community organisations and other stakeholders to improve outcomes across the sector.
A hands-on leader, Chris draws inspiration from his team and values the knowledge that comes from working alongside community partners. He believes investing in people and strong relationships is central to achieving better outcomes for customers
Lydia Cook
Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance
Contact
Lydia.Cook@debtmanagers.co.nz
Lydia leads Legal, Risk and Compliance at DebtManagers, bringing more than 15 years of legal experience across private practice and in-house roles.
Before joining DebtManagers, Lydia spent more than a decade as Corporate Counsel and Company Secretary at nib New Zealand. She began her legal career at Simpson Grierson, where she worked as an associate, and holds an LLB with Honours and a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington.
Lydia brings a practical and commercially focused approach to legal, risk and compliance matters. She works across the business to help manage risk, support sound decision-making and ensure DebtManagers continues to meet its legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Before joining DebtManagers, Lydia spent more than a decade as Corporate Counsel and Company Secretary at nib New Zealand. She began her legal career at Simpson Grierson, where she worked as an associate, and holds an LLB with Honours and a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington.
Lydia brings a practical and commercially focused approach to legal, risk and compliance matters. She works across the business to help manage risk, support sound decision-making and ensure DebtManagers continues to meet its legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Mark Watling
Head of Information Systems
Contact
Mark.Watling@debtmanagers.co.nz
Mark brings more than 30 years of experience in technology and client service to his role leading information technology at DebtManagers.
Before joining DebtManagers, Mark was Chief Information Officer at BDO New Zealand and held a senior digital leadership role at Crown Infrastructure Partners. He also spent ten years at Meredith Connell, including five as Chief Information Officer, following earlier roles across software development, solutions engineering and technology consulting.
Throughout his career, Mark has led teams, delivered major technology projects and helped protect some of New Zealand’s most sensitive criminal and national-security information. He brings a practical, risk-aware approach to technology, with a focus on secure, reliable systems that support the needs of staff, customers and the wider business.
Before joining DebtManagers, Mark was Chief Information Officer at BDO New Zealand and held a senior digital leadership role at Crown Infrastructure Partners. He also spent ten years at Meredith Connell, including five as Chief Information Officer, following earlier roles across software development, solutions engineering and technology consulting.
Throughout his career, Mark has led teams, delivered major technology projects and helped protect some of New Zealand’s most sensitive criminal and national-security information. He brings a practical, risk-aware approach to technology, with a focus on secure, reliable systems that support the needs of staff, customers and the wider business.
Nik Santamaria
Client Manager
Nik leads debt purchasing for our New Zealand business, bringing legal expertise and a practical, commercial approach to client solutions.
Before joining DebtManagers, Nik worked as a corporate lawyer at Bell Gully in Auckland and Macfarlanes in London. He advised on a broad range of complex and strategic corporate transactions, including work for private equity firms and ASX- and NZX-listed companies.
Drawing on this experience, Nik works closely with clients to understand their objectives, navigate complexity and develop solutions that create long-term value. He is known for his clear thinking, sound judgement and commercially focused approach.
Before joining DebtManagers, Nik worked as a corporate lawyer at Bell Gully in Auckland and Macfarlanes in London. He advised on a broad range of complex and strategic corporate transactions, including work for private equity firms and ASX- and NZX-listed companies.
Drawing on this experience, Nik works closely with clients to understand their objectives, navigate complexity and develop solutions that create long-term value. He is known for his clear thinking, sound judgement and commercially focused approach.
Ashley Mayn
Client Liason Team Lead
As Client Solutions Team Lead, Ashley helps turn new business into strong, lasting client partnerships.
Before joining DebtManagers, she worked across New Zealand’s education sector, from early childhood through to tertiary education. This gave her a strong understanding of regulatory standards and experience building relationships with a wide range of industry stakeholders. At DebtManagers, she coordinates the onboarding and ongoing delivery of debt purchase agreements, including data transfers, reporting, credit bureau engagement and client queries.
Known for her clear communication and practical, commercially focused approach, Ashley believes fair, evidence-based collections can improve financial wellbeing and strengthen trust with customers.
Before joining DebtManagers, she worked across New Zealand’s education sector, from early childhood through to tertiary education. This gave her a strong understanding of regulatory standards and experience building relationships with a wide range of industry stakeholders. At DebtManagers, she coordinates the onboarding and ongoing delivery of debt purchase agreements, including data transfers, reporting, credit bureau engagement and client queries.
Known for her clear communication and practical, commercially focused approach, Ashley believes fair, evidence-based collections can improve financial wellbeing and strengthen trust with customers.
Leanne Carter
Wellness & Vulnerability Manager
Leanne brings together experience in financial mentoring, social services and customer support to help DebtManagers respond effectively to vulnerability and financial hardship.
As Wellness and Vulnerability Manager, she draws on a varied background that also includes youth work, communications and office management. With a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Business Studies, Leanne combines practical frontline experience with an understanding of the systems and processes needed to support customers through difficult circumstances.
Known for her thoughtful, customer-centred approach, Leanne develops initiatives that improve immediate support while helping customers build longer-term resilience. She believes compassionate conversations and effective systems should work together, and that vulnerability-informed practice leads to better outcomes for customers and the business.
As Wellness and Vulnerability Manager, she draws on a varied background that also includes youth work, communications and office management. With a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Business Studies, Leanne combines practical frontline experience with an understanding of the systems and processes needed to support customers through difficult circumstances.
Known for her thoughtful, customer-centred approach, Leanne develops initiatives that improve immediate support while helping customers build longer-term resilience. She believes compassionate conversations and effective systems should work together, and that vulnerability-informed practice leads to better outcomes for customers and the business.
Our people in their own words
Looking for your next career move?
We're always on the lookout for exceptional people to join our our team. If you want to join us on our mission to create a fairer financial world, check out our careers page.