WAI ORA TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

Chair

Jenny is a Philanthropic and Strategic Consultant with a career of over 40 years in the non profit sector and philanthropy. Jenny spent 15 years at the head of Foundation North, New Zealand’s largest philanthropic trust. She was the inaugural awardee of Philanthropy New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 New Year’s Honours.

Nicola brings a commitment to excellence, a passion for leading people and a willingness to leave a positive legacy. The cause of drowning prevention is meaningful to her after experiencing the community impact of drowning, when one of her son’s friends drowned in a home pool at the age of two. Nicola has nearly twenty years’ experience in funding with a decade of this experience in community investment management for a large corporate. She brings a partnership approach to all that she does having seen the benefit collaboration has for collective impact that serves our communities.

“What I am looking forward to the most, is all the participating organisations, and the wider sector, coming together to make the most of their expertise, boldly finding the opportunities to work together collegially and collectively, and getting beyond our individual goals to be led by what our communities need. As a region we are surrounded by water and I feel passionate about making sure every child and adult has access to the education they need to be competent and feel confident around water – whether they’re at the local pool, or at one of our many beautiful beaches and to know what the risks are and how to avoid them.”

Nominated Sector Representative

As outdoors group manager at YMCA north – Dave was nominated and voted in by the sector as a representative on the steering group.

Dave brings 35 years in the Not For Profit Sector, including senior management roles in Water Safety NZ, Counties Manukau Sport, NZ Sport Fishing Council and YMCA North. In his current role with YMCA North Dave leads the Outdoors and Fundraising teams.

Dave is committed to partnership programs that increases our reach into the community and deliver meaningful outcomes. “My role is to serve the community and enable and empower them,” says Dave, who was born and raised in the Counties Manukau region and has spent a good portion of his working life there.

Mana Whenua Member

Harley is a Senior Cultural Advisor for the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust and belongs to the Tainui confederation of tribes: Waikato, Maniapoto, Raukawa and Hauraki.

Harley belongs to Ngāti Pāoa and is an experienced educator with a demonstrated history of working across Mainstream, Bi-lingual and Total Immersion settings. He is also experienced with working in local Government and Iwi / Mana Whenua environmental spaces. He has strong interests in Creative Strategy, Cultural Awareness and Transformation, Cultural Resource Management, Strategic Planning and Partnerships.

Mana Whenua Member

Monique is the Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Tangata / Stakeholder Relationships Manager for Ngāti Whātua Orākei Trust. Monique was a previous board member of Drowning Prevention Auckland and supported the board in the development of the Māori Water Safety Mātāpono. Monique chairs the Ngāti Whātua Orākei Volcanoes Sports Club and waka ama has been a key component of the sports activities that we provide the descendants and community of Orākei to reconnect to Waitematā.

Dave brings over 15 years’ experience in the sport and recreation sector across a variety of leadership roles. Dave is a driven and focused leader with strengths in creating and executing strategy in complex environments. Dave has a high degree of political savvy and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from governance through to community delivery.

Dave currently leads 800+ employees across Tāmaki Makaurau, and $50M+ of operating expenditure to deliver play, active recreation and sport outcomes. “With innovation, accountability, and equity at the heart of my approach, I ensure every dollar is used to its fullest potential.”

Dave has a passion for the water having grown up in Tāmaki Makaurau and spends every opportunity he can both in and on the water around the region.

Bachelor of Physical Education, DipTchng

Jo brings over 15 years’ experience in the education and public sector specialising in sport, recreation and environmental services. With a strong foundation in strategy development and implementation management Jo spent nearly ten years with Auckland Council in varying roles. Jo developed, implemented and drove strategic initiatives that promoted and enabled active and environmentally friendly communities. Jo has been instrumental in the success of various large public projects resulting from exceptional stakeholder engagement. Jo is passionate about working with targeted Māori, Pasifika and Asian communities and ensuring that these targeted communities are recognised and represented.

Jo is originally from South Africa and when not at work can be found with her family and friends either in, on or beside the water.