Campbell, who had treatment for breast cancer last year, said she had worked through her illness as a way to deal with the process. Many people did not even know she had been sick. "The hair I had on all last year was a wig but hardly anyone knew. I was really young to get breast cancer so a lot of the treatment was preventative."

She had two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy while managing a normal PAA workload.

Now, still dealing with the side effects of her medication, she has decided the time has come to step back and spend more time with her husband and daughters, aged 10 and 13.

“I'm just really tired... I might be able to do my garden and things like that, that would be really lovely.”

Campbell joined the NZMBA after leaving a business development role with NZ Finance several years ago. When the PAA and NZMBA merged she was appointed professional development manager before being appointed general manager after former chief executive Edward Richards left.

She said the staff and board were strong and all the processes she had set up and lobbying she had spearheaded would continue once she resigned, sometime in September.

The board is reviewing its options for a replacement. Campbell said she was not going to another professional body and had not had a falling out with the board or chair. “I am considering returning to mortgage broking but have not yet made up my mind.”

She said having had breast cancer, it made her even more aware of the value of trauma and health insurance. “I have a bit of inside knowledge.”

Campbell said she would phase out of the organisation, finishing up a number of projects over the next month or so. “Because I’m not going somewhere else, it can be a smooth transition. It’s a good news story as far as the PAA is concerned.”

She said the PAA was well positioned for the future. “We’re getting so many new advisers joining, it’s growth like we’ve never had before.”