Professional Experience:
I’ve lived successfully by the motto Think Global, Act Local – and have proven leadership from global to intimately local settings.
My working context has always been community engagement and human development.
I’m an excellent manager with strong skills in strategic planning; financial and administrative management; negotiating and problem-solving. Intelligent and a proven CEO in both larger and smaller settings. I have demonstrated that effective senior management means both good human relationships and good systems.
I have initiated many successful new ventures: a consultancy service providing training and advice on issues relating to the Treaty of Waitangi and race relations in NZ; a community-owned primary health service for local income high needs people - still serving over 5,000 people with a large budget and staff; a nation-wide network of over 50 community-owned health services providing high quality care to 200,000 high needs people – which was the model for NZ’s Primary Health Organisations, an award winning bicultural committee where indigenous leaders and elected councillors work equally in building a natural resources plan. In each case, I took an idea and turned it into a viable, sustainable reality.
I have more than 40 years of leadership – in the NGO sector (Chair of ANGOA – Association of NGOs of Aotearoa – and co-Chair of a national body, the Community Sector Taskforce), regional government (currently Deputy Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council, with responsibility for Public Transport, Economic Development), District Health Boards (member and 7 year Chair of one, currently Deputy Chair of another, 3 years as Chair of the national body for NZ’s 21 DHBs, numerous ministerial appointments to health advisory bodies), the health sector (founding a local service then a peak body for primary health care), Alcohol (govt appointed Chair of ALAC – NZ’s Alcohol Advisory Council), a City Councillor, the ecumenical movement (Chairing a committee of the World Council of Churches, representing NZ on the Christian Conference of Asia), community development (5 years as a local community worker in Wellington’s poorest neighbourhood), in aid and development (founding Chair of the Council for International Development – newly created peak body for NZ aid & development agencies, plus 7 years with two NZ development agencies – Christian World Service and CORSO), youth and community work (founding Chair of a local Youth Health Service),
I’m skilled in governance, chairmanship, and committee work with a good understanding of central government, NGO, health and local body structures and processes
I have long experience of working as part of a team. An effective team leader, able to facilitate groups well, and inspire people to try new ideas.
I’m an excellent communicator, able to present complex issues in an understandable way – both speaking and writing
I’m experienced in cross-cultural settings, especially with Maori and Paci