Inspiring students, changing lives

Inspiring young people to discover their potential in business and in life. Making this happen is what excites us. That’s why we love what we do.

The future of work is becoming increasingly more difficult to accurately predict or even imagine. Determining and focusing on the types of skills and knowledge young people need from educators is more important than ever. What is clear is that it will not be the same skills that have served us during the last century or even the last decade.

Our enterprise programmes use a combination of teachers and members of the business community to provide an experience that is both authentic and relevant to the world we live in. Adapting to changing circumstances, failing fast, feeling success and learning how to collaborate in teams helps students to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit. Our financial literacy resources teach students to be smart with their money so that they can have more choices in life.

We’re proud to work with our Regional Coordination partners, over 1,000 teachers and 1,500 volunteers.  By working together, we change the lives of more than 100,000 students every year.  How awesome is that!

Download our 2017 Mid-Year Sponsors Report

The team

Terry Shubkin

Chief Executive

aka ‘Chief Excitement Officer’

04 570 3392 | 021 611 312

Leah MacDonell

Head of Partnerships

aka ‘The Matchmaker’

04 570 3390 | 021858589

Colin Kennedy

Head of YES

aka Dr YES

021 737 609

Shane Wratt

Head of Programme Development

aka 'Mad Hatter'

04 570 3399 | 021 534 415

Terry is our resident Chief Excitement Officer, and she maintains that it is the best job in the world. During her 18 years in the IT industry, Terry had a passion for helping young people – from mentoring, to her active involvement in Women in Technology, to chairing the Unisys Kidz Connect Grant programme. Since 2010, Terry has been following that passion full time at the helm of Young Enterprise.

When she’s not busy being inspired by our students, Terry can be found travelling, at her bach beating fresh paua with a 2 by 4 (apparently it’s the only way to make it tender), or training for her next half marathon. She’s a self-confessed ‘plodder’ and only runs because of her enduring love of food and wine – which serves her well as a Trustee of the Wellington Culinary Events Trust.
Leah MacDonell became our resident Student Wrangler in 2015. Fate played a hand in Leah finding her way to Young Enterprise – one day someone left the Seek page up on a computer. Leah sat down, and typed the word ‘People’ just to see what would come up. The Student Wrangler position was the first result!

Leah is a graduate of the School of Life – with a few Massey University papers up her sleeve to boot. She has been busy in roles at three airlines (Ansett NZ, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand) which have provided her with amazing opportunities, training and some great personal connections.
It took Colin all of two seconds to decide to join the team when he saw the opportunity come up. He is committed to being as useful as possible in helping all students get (and use) the same opportunities to make positive choices. He’s toe-curlingly excited about the real change so many disruptive, intrepid and curious minds can make.

Colin has a PhD in Development Studies and has lectured and researched in social inequality and social design & impact at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). He has also worked in the global migration and exchange of ideas and talent while at Fulbright New Zealand and headed up the student recruitment team at VUW. Before that he worked and volunteered in 12 different countries, teaching, working in cafes and selling T-shirts.
Shane Wratt is Young Enterprise’s Training Manager and resident Keen Bean. He chose to join the team in 2014 because Young Enterprise inspires young people to be enterprising in attitude and action – and the real world impact that this can have on people and their communities is exciting. Along with his role as Training Manager, he also runs many of our BP Business Challenges in schools.

Shane has a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership and Diploma in Business management from Aoraki Polytechnic. He has worked as a paperboy, kitchen hand, builder’s labourer, vineyard worker, Outward Bound Instructor, alternative education supervisor, outdoor centre manager, travel re-seller, business owner, sales and account manager. It is this diversity which makes Shane such an amazing Training Manager!

Robyn Frey

Head of Profile and Events

aka 'Head of Random Stuff'

04 570 3986 | 021 826 763

Leo Austin

Corporate Services Manager

aka 'Nerd in the Herd'

04 570 3982 | 021 676 988

Yolande Rosario

Head of Curriculum

aka ‘Master Juggler’

04 570 3391 | 021 520 930

Paul Newsom

Schools Engagement Manager

aka ‘Trailblazer’

04 570 3984 | 021 192 3355

After running the YES programme for 5 years, Robyn has recently become our Head of Random Stuff. She works on a diverse range of projects including managing EIA and It’s Business Time conference, and sponsorship account management.

Originally from Southland, Robyn has an extensive background in Retail (she set up her own homewares store) and Events Management. She was the first Events Liaison for the foundation of Massey University’s Albany campus, before we enticed her down to join us.

A woman of many talents, Robyn worked on the Estate of the Earl of Dudley in the ‘80s and was very adept at drinks tray service in the middle of fox hunts. We think this is definitely random enough to make her the perfect Head of ‘Random Stuff’!
10 years ago, Leo was asked to fill in temporarily for a staff member who was ill - and he has been here ever since, keeping us all in line. A qualified accountant, Leo has extensive experience in the electrical industry and motor vehicle industry. After switching to the banking sector, Leo held a number of treasury related roles before being transferred to Japan by Barclays Bank in 1986. After a few years overseas, he returned and took on various business advisory roles. Leo was also President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce for 6 years.

Leo is an award winning underwater photographer, was in a semi-professional rock n roll band in the 1960s, and has recently discovered his gift for the culinary arts.
Yolande juggles many of our Young Enterprise programmes and resources across the board. Originally from a teaching background, she has taught at preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Yolande has a MCom in Financial Management, a Diploma in Education and a certificate in adult education. Young Enterprise is a great fit for Yolande as it utilises her financial knowledge and still allows her to have contact with students, often through the BP Business Challenges she presents around the country. Yolande also has a well-stocked lolly jar on her desk, which is much appreciated by the rest of us!
Paul brings a hugely varied range of experiences to the team here at Young Enterprise. He has worked on everything from solar power installations in Botswana, to food factories in England, to sewage works in Wellington, to exhibition halls in Israel. He was self-employed for many years before catching the Young Enterprise bug. Now he motivates teachers and students nationwide to get into entrepreneurship and financial literacy. His talents extend far beyond working with people – he is training to run a ½ marathon, and can always be relied upon to provide amazing baking!

Gavin Miller

Wellington YES Regional Co-ordinator

aka ‘Student Wrangler’

04 570 3981 | 022 043 1891

Stephanie Benseman

Comms & Marketing

aka 'Brand Bragger'

04 570 3396 | 027 763 8705

Tamara Shimolina

Accounts Administrator

aka "Mission Control"

04 570 3395

Vanessa-Jayne Hunt

Project Coordinator

aka "Mission Control"

04 570 3398

Vanessa-Jayne.hunt@youngenterprise.org.nz

Gav is the champion of our Wellington Region for the Young Enterprise Scheme. He divides his time between HQ and working on the ground in schools, to back young entrepreneurs and business teachers all over the area. Prior to us enlisting him, he worked as a Careers Engagement Specialist for Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand. Gav has an extensive background in sales, marketing, and customer engagement, through roles in the shipping and real estate industries. Gav is also our office Quiz Master. He has the best red shoes ever, loves onsies, and is a massive sci fi and sports geek.
Steph was a star of our YES programme in 2013, and attended EIA the same year. We couldn’t let her go, so she stayed in contact as an Alumni Ambassador throughout 2014.

Now Steph is studying towards a BCom in Management and Information Systems as well as working as a full-time 'brand bragger' for us. As if she doesn't have enough on her plate, she has her own company, mentors many students and is heavily involved in Wellington's start-up community. In 2017, Steph was nominated for Young New Zealander of the year! She's our shining star!
Tamara joined us in 2017 and brought her international experience to Young Enterprise. She holds two Diplomas in Finance and Management.
Tamara is passionate about numbers and technology which helps her to work towards improving the quality and efficiency of our financial processes. She's a firm believe that great teamwork starts with having sweet treats together so she regularly arrives with baking.

Originally from the UK. Vanessa-Jayne travelled the world in her childhood with her RAF family. All this travelling, adapting and flexibility alongside with some fab and fun roles in London, Vanessa-Jayne became an organiser extraordinaire. Nick-named by her own hubby as the ‘admin queen’!

Vanessa-Jayne’s specialty for many years has been event management and through her own business came across Young Enterprise mentoring at Wellington E-Days.

Rosemary Harris

Project Coordinator

aka 'Mission Control'

04 570 3393

rosemary.harris@youngenterprise.org.nz

Lisa Jaques

Project Coordinator

aka "Mission Control"

04 570 0452

lisa.jaques@youngenterprise.org.nz

Hanna Zaloum

Project Coordinator

aka "Mission Control"

04 570 3396

Jane Watson

Roaming Teacher - Wellington

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

| 022 657 9361

Rosemary has previously held roles in office and accounts administration in the local government, technology, and not-for-profit sectors. Rosemary coordinates the Young Enterprise Exam, and loves to get involved in other programmes we run. She enjoys dancing modern jive, sewing, and getting into the outdoors.
Lisa joined us after completing her degree in Marketing. She has the huge job of coordinating the BP Business Challenges nationally, as well as being a whizz at events, Instagram and basically any job we throw at her. Her calm, composed demeanour hides a wicked sense of humour and she enjoys world travel and fabulous clothes.
Hanna is a YES alumni and worked part-time before joining us full-time. She is also working towards her Bachelors of Commerce in Management and International Business.

Hanna assists in coordinating many of our programmes and events, and can be found running around like a manic behind the scenes. She's an avid outdoors person that is out on adventures most weekends.
Jane is our Roaming Teacher for the Wellington region. Normally the HOD of Commerce at Tawa College, Jane is on secondment with us for a year to support local teachers in teaching Business Studies and financial education. After studying PE and Economics, Jane has taught at various schools around Wellington and Whakatane, and has been at Tawa College for the past 17 years. Jane gets her year 13s to write 1 reason why they are a star on a little paper star. She sticks these on her classroom ceiling – a galaxy of inspiration to remind her of all the wonderful students who have passed through her classroom and out into the wider world.

Lucy Wymer

Roaming Teacher - Pasifika

aka ‘Arranger of Awesome’

09 265 3230 | 022 043 0142

Simon Murray

Roaming Teacher - Auckland

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

| 022 657 9430

Andrea Panther

Roaming Teacher - Northland

aka "Arranger of Awesome"

02108411927

Colette Mintoft

Roaming Teacher - Hawke's Bay

aka "Arranger of Awesome"

022 043 290

Lucy joined Young Enterprise as our first Roaming Teacher. She takes her expertise on the road to teachers, with a specific focus on schools with a high Pasifika population. Her work in this area has seen academic achievement in Business Studies grow in these schools. There have also been some wonderful success stories as enterprising students in those schools have gone on to achieve amazing things.

Originally from England, Lucy has taught for 17 years including a 9 year stint at Aorere College in Auckland, where she delivered enterprise programmes. She still largely works in the South Auckland region now, and is an inspiration to many of the educators she works with.
Simon joins us from Pakuranga College as the YES Roaming Teacher for the Auckland region.
Andrea joins us from Kaitaia College to support YES teachers and students in the Northland region.
Colette joins us from William Colenso College in Napier to support YES teachers and students in the Hawke's Bay region.

Regan Powell

Roaming Teacher - Timaru and South Canterbury

aka "Arranger of Awesome"

0274144355

Regan works at Roncalli College, Timaru at the same time as supporting YES teachers and students in Timaru and South Canterbury.

Young Enterprise Regional Coordinators

We have an amazing network of coordinators throughout the country who are here to help. Find your local coordinator for info on local YES events.

Our patron

Our Patron

The Patron of Young Enterprise Trust is Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand. Her Excellency was sworn in as New Zealand’s 21st Governor-General for a five year term on 28 September 2016. Her Excellency has previously worked in governance and management roles for public and private sector companies throughout New Zealand, and has contributing to the governance of many creative and charitable organisations.

Our Board of Trustees

The Board of Young Enterprise Trust provides strategic direction and governance for our organisation. Our Trustees are passionate about youth development, and see the development of enterprising young people as critical to New Zealand’s future.

Nigel Gould

Chairman

Phillip Meyer

Trustee

Lilias Bell

Trustee

Mark Eglinton

Trustee

Nigel is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Institute of Directors.  He has established businesses in a range of industries, including information technology and tourism.  Nigel was previously Chancellor at Massey University and is Past President of the NZ Chamber of Commerce.  He is currently Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority of NZ and was recently appointed as a Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Commission.
Phillip is an experienced company director and investment banker. He is Chairman of Australian Financial Services Group, Chairman of the Trans Tasman Business Circle and a Director and Trustee of Southern Cross Healthcare Group and subsidiaries. He is also a Director of Zealandia and the National Chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Committee.
Until recently Lilias was a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles, an international leadership advisory firm where she specialised in completing senior executive and board appointments.  Lilias is currently exploring new opportunities in talent and leadership development.  She gained her BSc Honours in psychology from St. Andrews University and studied at postgraduate level as Emory College in Atlanta, Georgia as a Bobby Jones Scholar. Lilias is a member of the Board of Governors of Queen Margaret College and a member of New Zealand Global Women.
Mark Eglinton is currently CEO of NDA Engineering, one of New Zealand’s leading engineering businesses. Mark previously held a number of senior positions within Fletcher Challenge Building, Fletcher Aluminium, Tenon Limited. Mark is a Director of Snapperrock International and a former Trustee of the First Foundation. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Otago. Mark was named the Emerging International Business Leader at the 2009 New Zealand International Business Awards.

Sheena Henderson

Trustee

Norm Thompson

Trustee

Mark Vivian

Trustee

Rachel Taulelei

Trustee

Sheena is the Managing Director of Cluster Consulting Group and is a Christchurch-based consultant specialising in business leadership, branding and corporate advisory work.  She has over 20 years of business experience gained locally and internationally.  Sheena has led large businesses successfully, latterly within Fonterra where she held several senior roles.  Sheena is also a Director at Radio New Zealand.
Norm Thompson joined Air New Zealand in their Finance Division in 1968. Over his 45-year career he rose through the ranks to become their Chief of Sales, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer from 2007 until his retirement in 2013. Thompson has had extensive experience in board governance; this includes serving as Chairman of the Tourism Industry Association of NZ, Chairman of the Air New Zealand Environment Trust, Deputy Chairman of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Chairman of Altitude Ltd. Thompson was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to business and tourism in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Mark is a partner at venture capital firm MOVAC. He is also currently a director of EdCube, Zeosoft and Global Career Link, and is a Trustee of Sport Wellington. Mark was the Founding Executive Director at Kiwi Expat Association Inc (Kea), and chaired the NZI Sevens event for several years. Mark is the first YES alumni to be appointed to the Board, having completed the Young Enterprise Scheme at Scots College in Wellington.
Rachel Taulelei is CEO of Kono NZ, one of New Zealand’s top 100 food and beverage companies. Previously, Rachel founded the sustainable seafood company Yellow Brick Road, which has since been acquired by Kono’s owner, Wakatu Incorporation. In 2015 Rachel received a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to food and hospitality, and in 2012 she was the recipient of a Blake Leader Award from the Sir Peter Blake Trust, on whose board she now sits. Rachel is also a YES aluma, having taken part at St Oran’s College, and has been a dedicated mentor and judge for many years.

Our Supporters' Council

Our Supporters' Council was formed in 2004, and is made up of respected leaders from a wide range of business and community organisations. The members act as advocates and representatives of the stakeholders who are relevant to the Trust’s operations. Each Council member is elected for a term of six (6) years. Within this time they meet biannually to provide feedback support and advice, whilst also assisting the Trustees to perform their functions.

Tim Alpe, CEO, Jucy Group
Paul Baines, Director, Finchley Holdings Limited
Michael Barnett (ONZM), Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Lilias Bell, Independent Advisor, Leadership and Executive Search
Tim Bennett, CEO, NZX Limited
Sharon Bryant, Angel Investor/Company Director
Ross Buckley, Executive Chairman, KPMG
Tony Caughey (ONZM), Ambassador
John Christie, Director, Enterprise Dunedin, Dunedin City Council
Rick Christie, Independent Director
Corinne Cole, Partner, A J Park
Giff Davidson (CNZM. OBE. JP), Professional Director
Andrea Davies, Registrar, Massey University
Jane Diplock, Independent Director
Sir. Eion Edgar (KNZM), Chairman, Forsyth Barr Group
Mark Eglinton, CEO, NDA
Matt Elliott, Managing Director, BP New Zealand Limited
Tony Falkenstein, CEO, Just Water
Charles Finny, Consultant, Saunders Unsworth
John Fisk, Partner, PWC
Angus Fletcher, Chairman, The Fletcher Trust
Hideaki Fukutake, Trustee, Global Future Charitable Trust
John Gallagher (CNZM. JP), Director, Glenice & John Gallagher Foundation
Sarah Wickens, Founder, Trilogy
Nigel Gould (ONZM, JP), Director, Byrd Services
Sheena Henderson, Managing Director, Cluster Consulting Group
Ali Hughes, CEO, CORE Education Limited
David Irving (ONZM), Independent Director
Richard Janes, Director, Gallagher Group Limited
Bruce Le Pine
Stefan Lepionka, Director, Lepionka & Company
Paul Lockey, Independent Director
Tim Mackle, Director, DairyNZ
Phillip Meyer, Professional Director
Ian Miller, Director, Kaimira Estate
Mavis Mullins (MNZM), Professional Director
James Ogden, Director, Ogden Consulting Limited
Phil O'Reilly, Chief Executive, Iron Duke Partners Ltd
Brett O'Riley, Chief Executive, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
Anne Pankhurst, Operations Manager, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce
Kirsten Patterson, Institute of Directors
Brian Plimmer, Professional Director
Marc Potter, President, Harvard Business School Alumni Association
Murray Reade, CEO, The Lion Foundation
Ken Rintoul
Catherine Savage, CEO, CMS Capital
Edward Schuck, Director, Fidato Advisory
Graham Shaw, Director, Pushpay Holdings Limited
Russell Shaw, Chief Executive, Top Energy
John Shewan, Independent Director
Peter Shirtcliffe (CMG), Chairperson, The Margaret and Peter Shirtcliffe Foundation
Suzanne Snively, Managing Director, MoreMedia Enterprises
Professor Barry Spicer, University of Auckland Business School
Annah Stretton, CEO, Stretton Clothing Company Ltd
Cecilia Tarrant
Rachel Taulelei (MNZM), CEO, Kono NZ LP
Norm Thompson (ONZM), Independent Director
Dave Tibby, Trustee, David Levene Foundation
Peter Townsend, Chief Executive, Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce
Stuart Trundle, CEO, Venture Taranaki
Ted Van Arkel, Independent Director
Alister Van der Maas, Managing Director, Russell Investment Group Limited
Mark Vivian, Partner, Movac Limited
Graeme Wheeler, Governor, Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Ken Williamson, Director, Crombie Lockwood Limited
Pauline Winter, Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples
Stan Gregec, CEO, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce
Tim Pankhurst, CEO, Seafood New Zealand
Diane Maxwell, Retirement Commissioner, Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC)
Malcolm Whyte, Deputy Chair, Todd Corporation Ltd