About Us

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!

Terry Shubkin

Chief Executive

aka ‘Chief Excitement Officer’

Jaime Hayden

Head of Partnerships

aka 'The Matchmaker'

Colin Kennedy

Head of Impact

aka 'Chief Troublemaker'

Elizabeth Pittman

Head of YES

aka 'Chief Student Wrangler'

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.

Jaime joins us as our new Head of Partnerships. The position of “Matchmaker” is well suited to her as she has successfully introduced three sets of friends who are now husband and wife! Jaime’s strong anthropological interest in the world has seen her work as a wannabe photojournalist, in social services, running after school programmes and event and account management. While living in London Jaime worked everywhere from community housing to Olympic Park. She is also a keen volunteer for anyone who is helping feed those in need.
Advising the public-sector space in most recent times, a driver and champion for facilitating social enterprise and youth development within the community. Culminating the perfect mash up of all things cue the Head of Partnerships role.
Jaime joins our team from the Wellington City Council where she was a Senior Advisor within the City Innovation team. So is quite familiar with our team here at YE. She loves eating baking, drinking wine and whiskey and has a strong passion for napping.

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.

Liz originally hails from the USA but has worked in NZ for the past few years, most recently leading a team at Oranga Tamariki.

Yvona Hassed

Corporate Services Manager

aka 'Number Cruncher'

Paul Newsom

Schools Engagement Manager

aka ‘Trailblazer’

Hilda Foo

Accounts Administrator

aka 'Number Cruncher'

Ella Roche

Communications and Marketing Manager

aka 'Comms Guru'

Yvona is a born and bred Wellingtonian. She studied at Victoria University, where she gained her BCA. As a Chartered Accountant, Yvona has an extensive background in finance roles, primarily in the private sector. Over the last 20 years Yvona has worked for Deloitte, BP Oil, Contact Energy and Software Education.

Yvona has 2 young children and really resonates with the purpose of Young Enterprise. She believes financial literacy is an important skill and it proud to be working for an organisation that teaches this life skill.

When Yvona is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking the beautiful hills of Mt Kau Kau and a glass or two of wine.

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!

Hilda holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, a Post Graduate Certificate in Management and Diploma in Accounting. Originally from Malaysia, Wellington has become her home since 2010. Hilda had extensive corporate work experience in multiple industries back in Malaysia in Banking, Fast Food, Logistics and Manufacturing. Before joining Young Enterprise Hilda spent 5 years at Quest Integrity NZL Limited, a subsidiary company of Quest Integrity Group in the States. In her spare time Hilda volunteers at Ronald McDonald House in Wellington and enjoys line dancing and gardening as hobbies.

Ella is our Communications and Marketing manager. She comes from a background in digital marketing and studied Media and Communication at the University of Canterbury.
She has a love for travel, music and backs the Hurricanes. Ella also loves wine and food so fits in perfectly here at YES HQ.

Lucy Robertson

Events & Lead Project Coordinator

aka 'Mission Control'

Jessikah Cresswell

Project Coordinator

aka 'Mission Control'

Louis Ivory

Project Coordinator

aka 'Mission Control'

Natania Katene

Māori Outreach Coordinator

aka 'Kaikōkiri Rangatahi'

Lucy is a YES Alumni and has been actively involved since she completed her YES year in 2013. Prior to joining us at HQ, Lucy was the regional coordinator of the Manawatu region and attended various young enterprise events including Entrepreneurs in Action and national awards.

Lucy is outgoing, friendly and a real team player. We love having her around the office, providing lots of laughs!

Jessikah is an Alumni of YES and participated in the scheme in 2013. She has recently moved to Wellington after completing a BA in Media and Psychology at Canterbury university.
Growing up in Marlborough has left Jess with a love of good wine and is a self-confessed foodie. She is excited to be a new member of our team and make the windy capital her new home.

Louis is an all-round generalist who has tried his hand at everything from working at a sushi restaurant and studying animation, to spending time in Central and Local government.

As a born and raised Wellingtonian Louis enjoys his time out on the coast and in the mountains as often as possible. Louis says he can’t wait to get on board and see what Young Enterprise is all about.

He mihi nui, he mihi mahana tēnei ki a koutou katoa. Ko Natania Katene toku ingoa, no Ngāti Toa me Tuwharetoa ahau.

Hi everyone! I’m Natania, and I’m really excited to be joining YES as the Māori Outreach Coordinator. For the past 2.5 years I have been working for Te Wānanga o Aoteaora, prior to that I worked for the Waikato District Health Board, supporting young people into health careers.
That’s the formal stuff. The stuff that makes up who I am: The Māori Outreach Coordinator is going to be the best job in the world. I’m also lucky to have another cool title… MUM. I have an 8-year-old daughter her name is Mia, and she dreams of being a Mermaid.
We love the ocean, swimming and paddle boarding. If I had a superpower, it would have to be something to do with water.
My favourite quote is 'What if I fall, ooh but darling what if you fly?' and this is written on my mirror at home. It reminds me to always look up, be brave, and think the impossible because that is where dreams come true.

Haere Mai Natania! Welcome to the team!

Madison Barnett

Auckland South/East Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Jessica Connors

Central/North/West Auckland Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Pascale Hyboud-Peron

Bay of Plenty Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Idoia Alday Gonzalez

Canterbury Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Lisa Uncles

Hawke's Bay Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Lena Bevan

Gisborne Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Johnelle Hosking

Manawatu Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Gary Larkan

Northland Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Sarah Rickerby

Otago Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Fiona Jackson

South Canterbury/Timaru Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Joanne O'Connor

Southland Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Katja Eager

Taranaki Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler

Atawhai Gillies

Rotorua/Taupo Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Levinia Paku

Waikato Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Joshua Peauafi

Wellington Regional Coordinator

aka 'Student Wrangler'

Lucy Wymer

Content Creator | Remote Roaming Teacher

aka ‘Far away knowledge tree’

Joshua was born and raised in the Hutt. He has completed a BA in Media Studies and Pacific Studies at Victoria University. Joshua has a real passion for seeing rangatahi think outside the box, through innovation and creative avenues. He is very excited to be a new member of the team .

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.

Sian McMillan

Roaming Teacher - Pasifika

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

Yolande Rosario

Roaming Teacher - Wellington

aka 'Arranger of Awesome’

Regan Powell

Roaming Teacher - Timaru & South Canterbury

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

Andrea Panther

Roaming Teacher - Northland

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

Yolande is the Roaming Teacher for the Wellington region. 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 enterprise and financial knowledge and still allows her to have contact with students and educators. Yolande also has a well-stocked lolly jar on her desk, which is much appreciated by the rest of us!

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

Andrea joins us from Kaitaia College to support YES teachers and students in the Northland region.

Colette Mintoft

Roaming Teacher - Hawke's Bay

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

Yasmin Gray

Roaming Teacher - Auckland

aka 'Arranger of Awesome'

Ezekiel Raui

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Deb Hipperson

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Colette joins us from William Colenso College in Napier to support YES teachers and students in the Hawke's Bay region.

In 2014 Yasmin discovered a keen passion for business and entrepreneurial skills. She has previously been involved with YES in her position as business teacher at Henderson High School. She was very successful in this role and has had a number of National Award winning teams in this time including El Paleo Chocolate, and Olelei, which took out company of the year in 2017.
At the age of 19 Yasmin, who has a strong passion for dance, opened her own ballet school which has continued to grow over the past 16 years. Before her time as business teacher she was Head of Department for dance curriculum at Henderson High School.

Justice Hetaraka

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Wayne Prince

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Charlizza Harris

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Erica Austin

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Jesse Armstrong

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Anna French

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

Barlow Anderson

Programme Facilitator

aka 'Shabooya Squad'

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.

Madison Barnett & Jessica Connors Auckland Chamber of Commerce T. 09 365 0546
M. 021 710 155
yes@chamber.co.nz
Pascale Hyboud-Peron Venture Centre M. 021 1169087
www.venturecentre.co.nz
Idoia Alday Gonzalez Ara Institute of Canterbury ara.ac.nz
Lena Bevan Gisborne Chamber of Commerce M. 021 448 146
http://www.gisborne.org.nz/
Lisa Uncles Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce www.hawkesbaychamber.co.nz
Johnelle Hosking The Factory T. 06 353 3100
M. 0212166398
www.thebcc.co.nz
Amanda Kane Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology https://www.nmit.ac.nz/
Gary Larkan Northland Youth Development Trust T. 09 407 5409
M. 027 281 9981
www.northlandyouth.org.nz
Sarah Rickerby Otago Chamber of Commerce T. 03 479 0181
M. 0272959034
www.otagochamber.co.nz
Atawhai Gillies Rotorua/Taupo Regional Coordinator https://toiohomai.ac.nz/
Fiona Jackson South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce T. 03 6872733
M. 027 7727900
www.southcanterbury.org.nz
Joanne O'Connor Southland Chamber of Commerce T. 03 218 7188
M. 027 733 1959
www.commercesouth.com
Katja Eager Regional Coordinator T. 021 170 2477
www.taranakichamber.co.nz
Levinia Paku Smart Waikato Trust T. 07 855 2100
M. 022 372 0335
www.smartwaikato.co.nz
Joshua Peauafi Young Enterprise Trust T. 04 570 0452
www.youngenterprise.org.nz

Our patron

Norm Thompson, who become our chairman in 2018, 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.

Phil Muir brings to the Board experience in a critical sector for us – education! Having been the Deputy Principal at Manurewa High School when they introduced YES in 2012, Phil is a raving fan through and through. Not only did Phil introduce our flagship programme at Manurewa High School, but was a key driver of setting up the Manurewa High School Business Academy with a focus of driving enterprise education within all areas and year levels of the school. After 20 exciting years at Manurewa High, Phil moved to become the Regional Principal for Westmount Schools and once again introduced YES into the curriculum there. He has since changed focus and now believes that the greatest potential for igniting students’ passion about their future lies in intermediate schools. As Area Leader at Farm Cove Intermediate he integrated a term-long enterprise programme, similar to the Business Challenge. Phil believes that the way of the future in education lies with YES. He is now the Principal at Northcote Intermediate School and is implementing new initiatives there to get his students thinking about enterprise at a young age.

David brings a diversity of experiences and networks to the Board across both multi-national corporations and SMEs. Additional to his day job as General Manager – Projects for NZTE, David is involved in a range of other work such as raising $1m for the Malaghan Institute. He is experienced in start-up business in industries such as ICT, hospitality, and television. David is also on the boards of Venture Taranaki, the Well Foundation, the Hi-Tech Trust and a number of start-up businesses in the tech sector. He is an accomplished public speaker (some of you will have seen him MC the YES National Awards last year) and a published author including books on Innovation in New Zealand. David has been a fan of YES for many years through his role at NZTE, but took that to a whole new level becoming a raving fan after his son Jack went through YES in 2016.

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 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.

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.

Andy Symons is Financial Services Sector Leader, and Innovation Partner for PwC New Zealand. Andy has built significant executive leadership and financial services advisory experiences throughout his career. His roles have varied from experienced executive to CEO to startup founder and have seen him work with the likes of National Australia Bank, Bank of New Zealand and Loyalty New Zealand. Andy has a broad range of expertise across industries including banking, insurance, telecommunications and consulting.

Jeriel is the first to hold a Youth Trustee position on our board. A YES alumna who participated in both 2015 and 2016, Jeriel developed a passion for both business and the work of Young Enterprise and is excited to now be on our board. Jeriel has continued her keen interest in business and is now completing a bachelor’s degree in business studies at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay. A mentor for 2 youth groups, Jeriel has also been involved in many community and youth projects. Most recently Jeriel travelled to the Philippines to teach and inspire young people. She is also an enthusiast singer and guitar player having released an album in 2017.

Andrea Davies, Registrar, Massey University

Andy Symons , Innovation Partner, PWC

Angus Fletcher, Chairman, The Fletcher Trust

Nick Hill, Chief Executive, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development

Bruce Le Pine

Cecilia Tarrant

Dave Tibby, Trustee, David Levene Foundation

David Irving (ONZM), Independent Director

Debi Boffa, Managing Director, BP New Zealand Ltd

Diane Maxwell, Retirement Commissioner, Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC)

Sir. Eion Edgar (KNZM), Chairman, Forsyth Barr Group

Graham Shaw, Director, Pushpay Holdings Limited

Jenny Jago, Strategy and Investment Portfolio Manager, DairyNZ

Jeriel Sajan

John Gallagher (CNZM. JP), Director, Glenice & John Gallagher Foundation

John Shewan, Independent Director

John Fisk, Partner, PWC

Ken Williamson, Director, Crombie Lockwood Limited

Ken Rintoul

Kirsten Patterson, Institute of Directors

Lilias Bell, Independent Advisor, Leadership and Executive Search

Malcolm Whyte, Deputy Chair, Todd Corporation Ltd

Mark Eglinton, CEO, NDA

Mark Vivian, Partner, Movac Limited

Mavis Mullins (MNZM), Professional Director

Michael Barnett (ONZM), Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Murray Reade, CEO, The Lion Foundation

Nigel Gould (ONZM, JP), Director, Byrd Services

Norm Thompson (ONZM), Independent Director

Paul Baines, Director, Finchley Holdings Limited

Pauline Winter, Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Peter Shirtcliffe (CMG), Chairperson, The Margaret and Peter Shirtcliffe Foundation

Rachel Taulelei (MNZM), CEO, Kono NZ LP

Richard Janes, Director, Gallagher Group Ltd

Russell Shaw, Chief Executive, Top Energy

Sarah Wickens, Founder, Trilogy

Sharon Bryant, Angel Investor/Company Director

Sheena Henderson, Managing Director, Cluster Consulting Group

Stan Gregec, CEO, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce

Stefan Lepionka, Director, Lepionka & Company

Tim Alpe, CEO, Jucy Group

Tim Grafton , Chief Executive, Insurance Council of New Zealand

Tony Caughey (ONZM), Ambassador

Tony Falkenstein, CEO, Just Water

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.

Terry Shubkin

Chief Executive

Jaime Hayden

Head of Partnerships

Colin Kennedy

Head of Impact

Elizabeth Pittman

Head of YES

Yvona Hassed

Corporate Services Manager

Paul Newsom

Schools Engagement Manager

Hilda Foo

Accounts Administrator

Ella Roche

Communications and Marketing Manager

Lucy Robertson

Events & Lead Project Coordinator

Jessikah Cresswell

Project Coordinator

Louis Ivory

Project Coordinator

Natania Katene

Māori Outreach Coordinator

Madison Barnett

Auckland South/East Regional Coordinator

Jessica Connors

Central/North/West Auckland Regional Coordinator

Pascale Hyboud-Peron

Bay of Plenty Regional Coordinator

Idoia Alday Gonzalez

Canterbury Regional Coordinator

Lisa Uncles

Hawke's Bay Regional Coordinator

Lena Bevan

Gisborne Regional Coordinator

Johnelle Hosking

Manawatu Regional Coordinator

Gary Larkan

Northland Regional Coordinator

Sarah Rickerby

Otago Regional Coordinator

Fiona Jackson

South Canterbury/Timaru Regional Coordinator

Joanne O'Connor

Southland Regional Coordinator

Katja Eager

Taranaki Regional Coordinator

Atawhai Gillies

Rotorua/Taupo Regional Coordinator

Levinia Paku

Waikato Regional Coordinator

Joshua Peauafi

Wellington Regional Coordinator

Lucy Wymer

Content Creator | Remote Roaming Teacher

Sian McMillan

Roaming Teacher - Pasifika

Yolande Rosario

Roaming Teacher - Wellington

Regan Powell

Roaming Teacher - Timaru & South Canterbury

Andrea Panther

Roaming Teacher - Northland

Colette Mintoft

Roaming Teacher - Hawke's Bay

Yasmin Gray

Roaming Teacher - Auckland

Ezekiel Raui

Programme Facilitator

Deb Hipperson

Programme Facilitator

Justice Hetaraka

Programme Facilitator

Wayne Prince

Programme Facilitator

Charlizza Harris

Programme Facilitator

Erica Austin