An inspiring line-up of internationally recognised speakers

Dr Paul Wood

Dr Paul Wood is an expert in helping individuals and organisations be the best they can be and reducing the barriers that are holding them back.

Paul blogs for the Huffington Post and runs two successful businesses, which focus on personal and professional development. He works with everyone from at risk teens and the Hurricanes, to senior leaders across the public and private sectors. Paul's passionate for helping others turn change into positive growth comes from his own transition from delinquent to doctor of psychology.

Mike King

Mike King has for years been known as the iconic Kiwi entertainer but that role has changed dramatically since the conception of his hugely popular radio show "The Nutters Club".

The show evolved from Mike’s own experience of mental illness and addiction and has become a huge success. The aim of the show is to ‘forever change the way people feel, think, talk and behave in relation to mental health’.

These days Mike is better known for his work as a prominent mental health educator and motivational speaker with the work he does under his charity and with his conference speaking. Mike's aim is to reverse the population trends of depression and suicide by effecting a positive social change.

Mike works with all levels within an organisation to help with mental health and safety in the workplace. His message tells of how he overcame drug and alcohol addiction, and his continued battle against depression. It is accessible and pertinent to all staff and often helps companies identify anyone who may be struggling and in need of further assistance.

Whether you need a speaker to tackle some of the big issues or simply want your audience to be moved and inspired look no further than Mike King!

Amy Scott

In today’s digital world we are under more pressure than ever to be “connected” or have an ability to “connect” with absolutely anyone as quickly as possible. You can’t connect without being able to effectively communicate!

Passionate about helping improve the “real connection” of people, families, businesses, organisations, teams, workplaces and communities everywhere - Amy Scott (former lawyer) says “It's not rocket science - it is simply learning how not to rub people up the wrong way!”

Amy is a proud born and bred rural Central Otago girl. Whilst she’s represented NZ in ice hockey she’s still not allowed to drive tractors!

Following a career as a practicing lawyer Amy changed direction.

Amy has since had over 10 years experience as a speaker, facilitator, communication consultant, trainer, mentor and author.

She is a recognised “people expert” and is one of Australasia’s most sought after speakers.

Amy is also an accredited “Dots Communication” facilitator (currently NZ’s best professional development) who “engages and energises” audiences with her down to earth style.

www.amyscott.co

Lisa O'Neill - MC

Charismatic and engaging, Lisa is a well known keynote speaker, author and MC to audiences in New Zealand and Australia.

Lisa is obsessed with people living the lives that they want to live - to honour themselves by being more of themselves. Helping companies improve their staff & customer engagement and individuals to have more energy, more passion and more happiness in their lives. Lisa gives people the tools and the permission to be the best version of themselves.

With more than 10 years experience as a keynote speaker, Lisa speaks about the importance of energy, excellence and enthusiasm, the power of personal presentation, the myth of work-life balance and how to live a magnificent life.

Being born and raised in small town New Zealand is what Lisa credits her ability to work with people from all walks of life. Having married her childhood sweetheart and raising 4 children while building a business, Lisa is the ‘queen of the juggle’ and a high energy multi-tasker.

Lisa is the author of two books, “Look Gorgeous, Be Happy” and “Juggling in High Heels - How to Organise Chaos”, and is currently working on her next book to be released in 2018.

She believes we all want to be happy, to have energy, to feel amazing but so few know how. How to have, do, and be the vibrant energetic person that they dream of being.

Lisa's keynote presentations and workshops are guaranteed to leave you feeling motivated, inspired and full of energy.

Rob Giller

Rob Giller has over 23 years experience in the public sector. During that time he has held a range of senior management positions overseeing large strategic projects.

From 2007-2010 Rob was the Defence and Security Advisor to the Secretary to the Treasury and two Ministers of Finance. This role also involved assisting with Justice Sector issues and several Treaty settlements.

From 2010-2013 Rob was part of the New Zealand Defence Force where he was responsible for the delivery of major capital funded projects for the Army and worked as part of a 4 person team selected by the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to develop NZDF’s Strategic Reform Programme out to 2035.

During this part of his career, Rob was also an Aide de Camp to the Governor General, hosting ambassadors and other dignitaries on behalf the Governor General and assisting with Credentials, Awards and other ceremonies. Rob joined the Education Infrastructure Service (in the Ministry of Education) in October 2013 as the Group Manager Strategy and Policy. Rob is currently the acting Deputy Head, Infrastructure Advisory responsible for all property matters other than Ministry-run capital works projects.

His team covers a broad range of property functions including managing the property advisors who regularly support your school. Some of the business functions Rob is responsible for include:

the day to day management of school property and facilities
property planning, including agreeing schools’ 10 year property plans and priorities for 5YA expenditure
innovative learning environments
property projects, project management and school property procurement
special needs modifications and third party occupancy Treaty of Waitangi

Rob has a wide range of qualifications including a Masters of Management Studies (Double Major Project Management and Technology), Masters in Philosophy (Defence and Strategic Studies), Bachelor of Commerce and several Graduate Diplomas.

Lee Harper

Lee is the Technical Director and Education Specialist at pcMedia, who in June this year was acquired by CSG.

For the past 3 years Lee and his team have worked closely with Schools across New Zealand and during 2016 pcMedia successfully carried out the Ministry of Education’s “Schools’ Cloud Transformation Project” proof of concept. To date pcMedia have transitioned 30 schools to the cloud and in doing so have assisted them all in “moving spend from the server room back into the classroom”

John van der Zwan

John van der Zwan is Executive Director Schools International Education Business Association of New Zealand (SIEBA).

SIEBA began in July 2015 to provide leadership, build commercial capability and drive growth in international education for the school sector. Since then, SIEBA has grown to represent more than 300 New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools and is still growing. Combining careers in business and education and a love for travel, John served in a range of schools and businesses in New Zealand, China, South Korea, Nigeria and Cambodia. In 2011, John returned to New Zealand with his family to take up the role of international director for Waihi College. He then played a key role in the early development of SIEBA and was appointed interim executive director to lead the establishment of SIEBA. John now heads the organization as executive director. John lives with his partner and five boys in Athenree in the lovely Bay of Plenty.

Judith Price

On this exciting journey called life, Judith has developed a real interest in educational psychology along with the dynamics of human relationships. What it is to be human, growing an understanding of self.

In her educational profession spanning over 30 years, she has gathered knowledge, skills and capabilities learning a lot about herself as she has moved from teaching to leading, team leader to assistant principal to sitting in the principal’s seat.

Throughout this time, she has developed an interest in supporting individuals and schools to grow cultures that will bring out the best in people. This lead to joining the InterLEAD team 10 years ago. InterLEAD believes great professionals make great schools, make a great country.

So, it is with this moral imperative that Judith now leads school development, workshops and conversations to bring about organisational change to transform school culture, developing individual thinking through encouraging professional honest conversations.

Corene Walker

Uplifter – Coach – Healthy Disruptor

Bringing out the best in people is where I love to be! As we move into a new generation of leading where emotional intelligence is to the fore, bridging the gap between the Millennials and X-Gen, and following the new Teal leadership approach that requires wellness and resilience … I’m excited to be a big part of this global movement.

Described as your greatest cheerleader, your healthiest disruptor, wise, courageous, vulnerable, brave, intuitive, passionate and gutsy - it is a daily pleasure to hold space for what is possible when it comes to empowering people to be exceptionally themselves. Whether you are leading from the front or behind, everyone is a leader and it starts all from the inside-out.

As a mother of two, business leader, traveller, and coach I’m uniquely placed to share practical, real-life advice from the coalface. My background spans from dance to the corporate world, to health, wellness and personal development, to people-skills and leadership development. Different sectors range from rural and agri to education, roading and construction, and professional services to sport.

This eclectic career | life makes up who I am today. It’s very cool to be of service and walk my talk from this space inspiring bigger dreams; being that gentle push; and simultaneously being the safety net into a world of healthy contagious leadership and wellness.

Gretchen Stone

Gretchen is an Auckland based lawyer who specialises in employment and education law. Gretchen works with secondary school principals through the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ), and with primary school principals as the Honorary Solicitor for Auckland Primary Principals’ Association (APPA).

Gretchen has many years of experience in advising principals and Boards of Trustees in relation to employee disciplinary and performance issues, governance and management disputes, student discipline issues, health and safety compliance, and all areas of legal liability within the education sector.

Gary Anaru

Gary is the Ministry of Educations, Regional Infrastrure Manager for Central North region which includes the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay areas.

Gary has had 30 years’ experience in asset and portfolio management. Originally from Rotorua and of Ngati Whakaue decent; Gary has been with the Ministry for eight years.

Val Wenham

Val has worked in the Education sector for 14 years. she was employed as the Business Manager for Hillcrest High school that has a staff of 150 and over 1,800 students.

Val was the Waikato delegate for the Executive Officers Association from 2006 to 2017.

In this time, she was elected by her peers to be the Vice President for the National Executive Officers Association from 2008 to 2017. She is currently a Life Member where she takes an active part to this day. Some of you may remember Val from being the Editor of the Ex-Factor newsletter for the past 10 years.

Over these years Val has been involved with several Ministry of Education committees such as the Ministry of Education Regional Property Forum. Val was asked by the Ministry to join the National School Property Reference Group, Val said this was a privilege to be asked to become a member of such a knowledgeable group of people this was from 2012 until she resigned from Hillcrest High in 2017.

Val worked with the Ministry in the conception of the great Novo pay system where she became an online specialist and was used for trouble shooting, this was over the period from 2012 again until 2017.

Val is currently working as a consultant to schools covering a wide range of day to day areas that as an Executive Officer/Business Manager is responsible for. The Ministry of Education have listed Val on their pool for approved Statutory Service Providers to the Education sector.

Kate Lethbridge

Kate Lethbridge is a highly experienced employment adviser working for New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA). She has extensive experience in dealing with employment relations and human resource issues.

Hanna Bumstead

I am originally from a small town in Northern Ontario, Canada. I did my post Graduate studies at Carleton University in Ottawa where I graduated with an honours degree in Art History and Philosophy. After studying, I did some travelling and decided to make Wellington my new home. My first role at the Ministry of Education was in the Overpayments team within the Payroll department. I am currently a Resourcing Advisor in the School Resourcing Delivery Team.

Campbell Waugh

Campbell Waugh is the Managing Director of Education Finance, which he set up 1994, specialising solely in providing a wide range of quality accounting services to schools. Their mission is to provide quality personalised accounting services and support tailored to each individual school, which can range from a 1 hour session helping with budget setting, through to a full off-site accounting service. Campbell has presented numerous training courses which focus on practical issues facing schools and with his 25 years experience has a vast knowledge base to call on. The reality is individual schools have very different needs - some may just want one-off guidance with budget setting, hands on training session for staff or BOT, or guidance with the end of year processes, while others will want a higher level of support. Like any industry it is not one size (Product) fits all - we fill more of a niche being a smaller, experienced team and thus able to be more personalised and focused.

Campbell's presentations focus on being down to earth and practical.