Dame Lesley Max

MBE, MA(Hons) – Chief Executive

Founder of Great Potentials, Dame Lesley developed the Family Service Centre model, and introduced HIPPY (Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters) and MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme).

In addition to her work for Great Potentials Foundation, Dame Lesley is Chair of the Parenting Council, Patron of the Family Help Trust, a member of the Brainwave Trust, as well as a member of the Family Services National Advisory Council. Her government appointments have included terms as a Director of the Northern Regional Health Authority and as a member of the Family Violence Advisory Committee.

She has acted in an advisory capacity for a number of tertiary institutions and was on the advisory board of the Knowledge Wave Trust. Dame Lesley is the author of Children: Endangered Species? (Penguin 1990) and was formerly a secondary school teacher and then a journalist, specialising in social policy issues. In 1993 Dame Lesley was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship. Her study and subsequent advocacy resulted in the establishment of Family Start, an intensive prevention programme for families at risk, now established at 20 locations throughout New Zealand.

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Jane Hall

Dip.Tchg, Dip.SpecEd. – National Director HIPPY New Zealand

After 14 years teaching, mostly in special education, Jane joined HIPPY in 1994. After establishing two school-based HIPPY programmes, Jane took on the role of National Coordinator of HIPPY in 1999. From there she moved to National Director. She is responsible for the ongoing development of the HIPPY materials and supporting training, the expansion of HIPPY, quality maintenance and the monitoring of HIPPY throughout New Zealand. She represents HIPPY New Zealand at the annual HIPPY International meetings, and is a trainer for HIPPY International.

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Lin Sauer

Cert ECD (Distinction)- HIPPY NZ Manager: Accountability and Fidelity

Lin has extensive experience and knowledge of HIPPY through her previous role as a site coordinator of HIPPY, based at Finlayson Park School, Manurewa, incorporating a satellite at nearby Clendon School. In 2004 she moved to her current role as National Coordinator. Lin has a background in early childhood education and is working towards a Bachelor of Education through Massey University. As National Coordinator, Lin is responsible for the support and training of site coordinators, monitoring and completing reporting requirements for HIPPY NZ, and ensuring that HIPPY programme standards are maintained throughout the country.

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Louise Belcher

Dip Family Therapy and Counselling, Post Graduate Diploma in Social Services and Supervision, Certificate in Industrial Relations, Accredited Mediator - Manager, Kelvin Road Family Service Centre

Louise brings an unusual combination of skills and experience to the position of Manager, Family Service Centre. After many years in Human Resources management, she gained a counselling qualification and worked with families with special needs. She has considerable experience in parenting education, including the delivery of courses for the Cool Schools and Healthy Families programmes. She provides mediation programmes for parents and has created an innovative approach to assisting families to flourish – Family Matters.

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Margaret Fitzgibbon

Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 5), Certificate & Diploma in Teaching People with Intellectual Disabilities  - HIPPY NZ Manager: Training

Margaret was the Coordinator of HIPPY Glen Innes including its satellite site at Panmure Bridge Primary School for six years from 2000-2006 and she has extensive community involvement experience. As HIPPY NZ Manager: Training, Margaret is responsible for the support and training of site coordinators.

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Karen Loughnan

A.C.A.T, BA(Education & Sociology), B.F.F.L, ESOL(Trinity) – HIPPY NZ Manager: Adult Education

Karen has an extensive background in Education,  ranging from preschool training, homeschooling and working with youth and families to counselling, teaching at the University of Auckland Language School (ELA) and most recently as the HIPPY site coordinator at Ranui.

As HIPPY NZ Manager of Adult Education, Karen is responsible for working to develop NZQA opportunities for HIPPY coordinators and tutors, providing support as they work toward qualifications.  Other  responsibilities include on-going development of curriculum and support of sites throughout New Zealand to ensure Best Practice.

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Shana Malio

(BA, LLB, MA (Hons), MLitt) -  MATES Programme Manager

Shana has worked in a project development role within Pacific workforce development in the mental health sector since 2008.  Shana has previously been a mentor coordinator for MATES from 2005-2008. She is a registered solicitor and barrister with a background in youth mentoring (eight years working within mentoring initiatives at University of Auckland), education, law and health.

Shana completed her degrees in Arts, Law and two Masters Degrees in Anthropology and Pacific Literature at the University of Auckland in 2007. As MATES programme manager, Shana is responsible for the strategic and operational policy development, and implementation of the MATES programme in 2012.

Wendy Schofield

Chartered Accountant – Trust Secretary and Treasurer

Wendy is a Chartered Accountant in public practice and has been involved with Great Potentials since 1994. Prior to having children Wendy was a senior Manager in Business Services at Deloitte, Touche, Tohmatsu.

Sarah Robson

Graduate Diploma in Communications and Public Relations – Relationships Manager

Sarah joined the Great Potentials team in May 2008 to support the foundation in its fundraising, sponsorship and communications activities. Sarah attained her Graduate Diploma in Communications and PR in 2005 and prior to joining Great Potentials she worked in communications for another charitable organisation.

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Judy Jarvie

Office Administrator

Judy Jarvie joined Great Potentials in January 2010 as Office Administrator. Prior to joining Great Potentials, Judy had a varied career including being a Secondary School teacher, Pharmacist, full-time mother and PA. She is delighted to be assisting in the work of Great Potentials and the Foundation’s programmes. Judy’s prime responsibility is the smooth running of Great Potentials’ National Office and to offer any assistance to HIPPY sites, the Papakura Family Service Centre and MATES schools as required.

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Stephanie Brown

BA (Hons) – Administration Assistant

Stephanie joined Great Potentials in 2012 as an Administration Assistant. Prior to joining Great Potentials, Stephanie was studying at the University of Auckland, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology. In her role as Administration Assistant, Stephanie provides support to the CEO, National Director of HIPPY, Relationships Manager and the Administrator.

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"Lesley is an archetypal social entrepreneur. Business entrepreneurs should recognise the breed. They are self-starters and they achieve more than most bureaucrats can. They also mostly cost less."

COLIN JAMES POLITICAL COMMENTATOR