Susan Wakefield, formerly Lojkine, first completed a PhD in Russian at Canterbury in 1968. She then trained in accountancy, graduating with a BCom in 1975.
She became a partner in the international accountancy firm Peat Marwick in 1979 and resigned in 1987 to co-found the tax specialist practice of McLeod Lojkine.
A leading tax expert, Dr Wakefield has held a number of directorships including Director and Deputy Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand. She was chairman of the Commerce Commission from 1989 to 1994.
Her many appointments have included university and government committees, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the New Zealand Institute of Management, the Institute of Policy Studies and the Auckland Technical Institute Foundation. She was awarded the QSO for public services in 1993.
Dr Wakefield was the founding chair of the University of Canterbury Foundation, a registered charitable trust which supports the University through donations, bequests, sponsorships and partnerships.
Citation authorised as true and correct at April 2006.