CEO
MBA
Ko Emiemi te maungaKo Whangaroa te awaKo Ngātokimatawhaorua me Māmaru nga wakaKo Ngā Puhi me Ngati Kahu te iwiKo Te Tahaawai te hapuKo Te Tahaawai te maraeKo Mark Veale toku ingoa
Mark Veale brings a wealth of experience in community services and a deep commitment to the Foundation’s mission, having served in key leadership roles at Great Potentials Foundation for the past six years as the HIPPY National Director and Operations Manager. Prior to joining Great Potentials Foundation in 2018, Mark worked for both government agencies and in the not-for-profit sector for over 20 years. Mark holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Mark believes long-term sustainable change takes effort and commitment from many and he is determined to play his part, holding close the whakatauki: 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata,' translated as 'What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.'
Mark is proudly of Ngā Puhi and Ngati Kahu descent.
Email: [email protected]
Evaluation and Data Manager
BA, Cert ConRes, Cert TT, PGCert R&A, MA(Hons), PhD Candidate
John joined Great Potentials in 2018. His main responsibility is to undertake and deliver systematic evaluations of the three programmes that Great Potentials Foundation operates - HIPPY, Family Service Centres and MATES.
John has extensive experience in social research from his many years at Statistics New Zealand, and as a lecturer and senior researcher at AUT University. John’s most recent research was the first ever Global Survey on Language Revitalisation run by Recovering Voices at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/24871
John’s research interest is in the holistic wellbeing of Pacific communities. John is primarily interested in the construction and application of statistical research over a range of subject areas but with a focus on issues that relate to people from the Pacific region.
Business Support Manager
PGDip Marketing, BCom
Mei is responsible for managing fundraising and marketing activities at Great Potentials. Mei is passionate about community development and education. She has a work background in marketing and business development in the non-for-profit and education sectors. Previously, she worked as the Education Advisor at Asia New Zealand Foundation and the Auckland Engagement Manager at Ara Institute of Canterbury.
Mei is originally from Hong Kong. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Melbourne, Australia, and her Postgraduate Diploma in Christchurch, New Zealand.
MATES Programme Manager
BA
Teri started working with Great Potentials in January 2023. Originally from Fiji, Teri moved to Auckland in 2014. She completed a BA from the University of Auckland in Gender Studies and Politics/International Relations and is currently studying for a Master of Arts in Gender Studies, due to be completed December 2023.
Prior to coming to Great Potentials Teri worked at the University of Auckland as a Schools Adviser, and Senior Schools Adviser with the Schools Partnership Office engaging with secondary schools and communities around the country. She also worked as a Resident Coordinator with UoA Accommodation managing 786 first year students in Australasia’s largest first year catered hall.
Teri has a volunteer background with the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and Auckland Women’s Centre. She is most passionate about advocating for social justice and empowering our marginalised communities.
Family Service Centres Manager
PGDipArts, BPsy
Margaret has been working in not-for-profit organisations throughout her career, with experience in the disability and mental health sectors. She finished her Bachelor of Psychology in 2009 back in her home country, Indonesia. She then continued her study at Massey University and completed a Postgraduate Degree in Arts majoring in Psychology in 2012.
In the past 11 years, she managed various community-based services, including Asian Mental Health Service, Muslim Mental Health Service, Community Living Service, and Community Support Hours Service. She is now managing the Family Service Centres in Papakura and Takanini. Margaret enjoys working to support people and making a positive impact on people’s lives.
Email:[email protected]