Dr. Julian Haszard, Director
BDS (Otago), DCD (Melb), MOrth RCSEd, MRACDS (Orth)

Julian grew up on a farm in Taranaki, New Zealand. Concurrent with studying dentistry at the University of Otago, Julian undertook officer training in the New Zealand Army. In 1998 Julian began mountain climbing with a group of Dunedin climbers which ignited his passion for the sport. His climbing skills were further developed through courses with the New Zealand Army Adventurous Training Centre. Subsequently Julian moved to London to practice dentistry and in 2002 took the opportunity to climb in the French Alps, summiting Mt Blanc in 2002 with the mountain guide and adventure bureau Chamex. 

In 2003 Julian visited Nepal for the first time and climbed Cho Oyo (the sixth highest mountain in the world) in the Himalayas, at the border between China and Nepal.  The expedition was led by Russell Brice, director of the mountaineering company Himalayan Experience (Himex).  Following the expedition Julian spent four weeks working as a volunteer dentist with Dr Mingma Sherpa in the Khumbu Valley in Nepal. During this period Mingma and Julian envisaged and established the early plans for SmileHigh. In 2004 Julian returned to Nepal and summited Mt Everest with Himex on 23 May 2004.

In 2005 Julian commenced a three year doctorate in orthodontics at the University of Melbourne and during this time worked with Trevor Moyle establishing a foundation for SmileHigh. Julian is now a qualified specialist orthodontist practising in the United Kingdom.  Following his trips to Nepal in 2003 and 2004, Julian returned for several weeks in 2006 and 2008 and plans to return in 2009 to assist Mingma in achieving the aims of SmileHigh by treating dental decay and providing education about oral hygiene. Julian maintains a keen interest in high altitude climbing and is passionate about Smile High.  

Dr. Mingma Nuru Sherpa, Director 
DDTH (Canada) BDS (Fiji)

Dr Mingma Nuru Sherpa was born in Khumjung a remote village in the Solu-Khumbu area in Nepal situated near Mount Everest. Mingma attended Khumjung High School which was the first school built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Mingma graduated with distinction in 1990 and was subsequently awarded a scholarship from the Everest Marathon Foundation UK to study at the National School of Dental Therapists in Saskatchewan, Canada which Mingma considers a life changing experience.

Following completion of his Diploma in Dental Therapy studies in Canada, Mingma returned to the Everest region in 1993 and worked at the Namche Dental clinic for 5 years as a dental therapist.

Mingma was very fortunate to receive a further scholarship from the Everest Marathon UK in 2000 which enabled him to study for a further 3 years at the University of South Pacific (Fiji) to obtain a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and complete his training as a dentist.  During his studies in 2002, Mingma undertook 5 weeks of undergraduate training in oral surgery at the University of Otago in New Zealand which was sponsored by Sir Edmund Hillary, a close friend of Mingma and his family.

In 2003 Mingma completed a one year internship at the People’s Dental College in Kathmandu to gain his registration with the Nepal Medical Council and Nepal Dental Association as a fully qualified dentist.

Mingma is a founding Director of SmileHigh and is responsible for all project activities within Nepal.

Ms Pasang Futi Sherpa, Dental Hygenist

Pasang is from the Khumbu valley and is the first fully trained dental therapist/hygienist trained by SmileHigh under scholarship.

Pasang is registered with the Nepal Professional Health Council. Pasang completed her training in June 2008. She now works 6 months of the year for SmileHigh, making trips to SmileHigh’s project areas to deliver basic dental treatment and dental education. For the remaining 6 months of the year she works at Dr Mingma Sherpa’s Kathmandu clinic- Brilliant Smile.

Ms Sareena Shrestha

Sareena is from the Dolakha region in Nepal and is currently halfway through a two-year training program at the Kantipur Dental School in Kathmandu to become a dental hygienist/therapist.

Sareena is studying under a full scholarship from SmileHigh and on completion of her training will be engaged on a five year contract with SmileHigh and will be paid for 6 months of field work per year. The remaining time will be spent working as a hygienist/therapist in Kathmandu. The scholarship was made possible by a very kind donation from Andrew Binns Orthodontics. We are very grateful to Andrew Binns for his highly valued contribution.

Trevor Moyle, Director (Chairman)
B.Comm (Otago), ACA (NZ), CMA (NZ)

Trevor joined the Board of SmileHigh in December 2006 as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman.

Trevor is a Principal of ACG Corporate Advisory Pty Ltd, a business unit of the Allen Consulting Group, and is currently Chairman of Orchard Investments Management Ltd. Trevor is also a Non-Executive Director of Sirius Corporation Ltd and a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Ceramic Funds Management Ltd, a property funds management company.

Trevor is currently the Chairman of the Melbourne Chapter of the University of Otago Alumni and it was in this capacity that Trevor came into contact with Julian Haszard and began working with him to establish the foundation for SmileHigh.

Trevor's expertise in corporate finance and advice, funds management, corporate governance, capital management, equity capital markets, business planning and strategy development are of immense value to SmileHigh.

Sarah Macartney, Director
BCapSc (Otago), Master of Business (Marketing)

On completing her studies at the University of Otago, Sarah moved to Melbourne to further her interest in marketing undertaking post-graduate studies. It was at a University of Otago Alumni event in Melbourne that Sarah came into contact with Julian Haszard and what was then known as 'The Himalayan Dental Health Foundation'. Recognising the potential in the vision that Julian was creating, Sarah was keen to offer her marketing skills and energy to help grow 'The Himalayan Dental Health Foundation' into what is now known as SmileHigh.

Sarah is a Director of SmileHigh and focuses on the marketing and communications side of SmileHigh whilst working in a full-time marketing role in Melbourne. Sarah is a member of the Australian Marketing Institute.

Alex Lam, Treasurer
LLB, BCom (Finance), Dip. Lan (Chinese)

Having completed his tertiary studies at Monash University in 2008, Alex joined KPMG Melbourne as a graduate in the Business Performance Services advisory group. He is currently completing Lean certificate provided by Cardiff University.

Sam Metherall, Secretary

Sam joined KPMG Melbourne as an Executive Assistant in 2008, after living abroad for 3 years. it was through her experiences travelling and seeing the need for appropriate healthcare (including dental) that Sam felt the need to contribute her time and extensive administration skills to an organisation such as SmileHigh.