Meet Our Team

Sephira Environmental is a small business operating with low overhead costs.  Because of this, we are able to apply high level experience to your project at competitive and flexible billing rates.  ​

Education:  MSc Geological Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, BA (Hons) Geology, State University of New York-Potsdam, USA. She achieved 'Professional Geologist' status in Pennsylvania. Site Safe Supervisor Certified; First Aid Trained.

Recognised as Suitably Qualified and Experienced Environmental Professional by Environment Canterbury, Auckland Council, Christchurch City Council and other councils around New Zealand.

Helen Mongillo, PG

Principal Environmental and Engineering Manager, Hydrogeologist

Helen has 30+ years of experience in contaminated land, water and sediment investigation and remediation.  Since her arrival in Christchurch in 2008, Helen has worked for south island developers, councils, New Zealand Defence force and the mining industry. She worked for 20 years in the USA, specialising in contaminated site investigation, risk assessment, remedial options assessment, remediation oversight and sediment projects.  

Helen's project management skills include preparation of work plans, health and safety plans, contract documents and technical reports, developing budgets, tracking and managing costs and schedules, and managing field activities, subcontractors and laboratories. 

Helen employs pragmatic and adaptive solutions to contaminated site issues based on her understanding of the New Zealand regulatory framework, Ministry for the Environment Contaminated Land Management Guidelines, her knowledge of risk management and her understanding of innovative remedial technologies.

Education:  BS Chemistry, University of Missouri-Rolla, USA; Site Safe Supervisor Certified; HAZWOPER 40 hr Health & Safety Training; First Aid Trained
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Recognised as Suitably Qualified and Experienced Environmental Professional by Environment Canterbury, Auckland Council, Christchurch City Council and other councils around New Zealand.

Christopher Brett Mongillo

Principal Environmental Scientist, Chemist, Compliance Specialist

Christopher, who formerly went by "Brett", has 30+ years of professional experience in identifying, remediating and managing contaminated land, water and air issues.  

He served as a Principal Contaminated Sites Advisor for Environment Canterbury for over five years.  In this role he experienced the regulation and management of contaminated land issues at every level of government, including serving on an advisory council to MfE for the development of the National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil for the Protection of Human Health which came into effect in January 2012.  

Prior to his time with Environment Canterbury he was employed as a consulting environmental scientist by various consultancies in the United States.  This combination of consulting and New Zealand based government experience affords him the ideal set of skills to provide sound advice and educational services on contaminated land management. ​

Education: BE (Hons) Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Canterbury; Site Safe Consultant Certified; First Aid Trained

Tom Wilson

Environmental Engineer, IT Specialist

Tom started with Sephira Environmental in 2017 upon finishing his Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Canterbury.

Tom is experienced in completing Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigation field assessment,  identification of MfE HAIL activities, collection soil and water samples, and the oversight excavations and remedial contractors. He can write investigation reports, Remedial Action Plans, and Site Management Plans. He manages smaller projects and works in a team for larger jobs. Tom has specialty experience in investigation and remediation of soil contaminated with asbestos and coal tar asphalt. Tom is a critical resource in Sephira Environmental’s developing remediation and water management team.

Tom is the IT specialist for Sephira Environmental facilitated by his education in Electrical Engineering. He is excellent with databases, web applications and basic circuitry. Tom supports our engineering design and modelling projects and has a strength in information technology and drafting. 

Education: BSc Chemistry, University of Canterbury; Site Safe Consultant Certified; First Aid Trained

Sylvia Wilson

Environmental Scientist, Accounts Manager, Safety Administration Manager

Sylvia started with Sephira Environmental in 2016 after completing her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury. At the beginning of 2018 she left to explore other passions, including spending five months gaining analytical experience at an asbestos testing laboratory, but returned to Sephira Environmental towards the end of 2019.

Sylvia is competent to undertake Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigation field assessments. She can identify MfE HAIL activities, collect soil samples, prepare investigation reports. She manages smaller projects and works in a team for larger jobs. She has specialty experience in investigation of sites with asbestos in soil or building materials.

Sylvia is the Accounts Manager for Sephira Environmental, balancing the books and managing a variety of administrative tasks. She is also the Safety Administration Manager. She established new safety systems for Sephira Environmental based on the latest government recommendations and ensures that we stay compliant with the safety requirements of our major construction sector clients. Her organisational abilities are a strong asset to the company. 

Education: Site Safe Foundation Passport - Civil Certified; First Aid Trained

Thaddeus Mongillo

Environmental Field Technician

Thaddeus officially joined the team at Sephira Environmental at the beginning of 2020 after assisting with several projects as a temporary employee in the past. 

Thaddeus supports the Sephira Environmental team across a variety of types of field work. He has received field training from Christopher and has experience in soil sampling, surface water and groundwater sampling, coal tar asphalt sampling both on and off the road, and some identification of asbestos containing materials. 

In the office, Thaddeus provides support on report preparation by creating figures using QGIS and Adobe Illustrator. He also manages the maintenance of field and safety equipment and supplies .