Meet the Team
Everyone has heard of YMCA but not many know all the things we do. Perhaps it is because we do so much! What we do know is that most people are really surprised when they learn the extent of the work done by the Y in New Zealand.
The first thing we at YMCA would like everyone to understand is that we are first and foremost a national community organisation. We work for every New Zealander and we want to engage with every New Zealander in a way that is positive. Sure, at heart we are youth centred but we work with people of all ages. It’s summed up in our by-line:
We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities.
It's not just a slogan – we really believe that by helping children and young people to thrive, they will make great adults and parents. By working together with families, we strengthen that most important relationship of all – family/whanau.
Building on that, we believe that connected communities are strong communities and strong communities make a great New Zealand society.
Management
Barbara Duley-Foote
Operations Manager
Having joined the National Office in 1999, Barbara has worked for the Y for an impressive 22 years. Her favourite part of the role is communicating with all the local associations with whom she has built strong relationships. Barbara has become a part of the Y, or as she puts it, the Y has become part of her.
Having joined the National Office in 1999, Barbara has worked for the Y for an impressive 22 years. Her favourite part of the role is communicating with all the local associations with whom she has built strong relationships. Barbara has become a part of the Y, or as she puts it, the Y has become part of her.
Leona van der Heyden
General Manager Education
Leona joined the Y team in September 2020 as General Manager Education. Leona has an extensive background working in the Industry Training sector, leading the development, delivery and quality assurance of programmes. She views education as a key enabler for all, but particularly for our youth who may be struggling to find their direction and purpose. Leona specialises in leading the delivery of education outcomes with a focus on ensuring that the flexible needs of our learners are at the heart of everything the YMCA Education team provides.
Leona joined the Y team in September 2020 as General Manager Education. Leona has an extensive background working in the Industry Training sector, leading the development, delivery and quality assurance of programmes. She views education as a key enabler for all, but particularly for our youth who may be struggling to find their direction and purpose. Leona specialises in leading the delivery of education outcomes with a focus on ensuring that the flexible needs of our learners are at the heart of everything the YMCA Education team provides.
Board of Directors
David is an immediate past president of Y North and a long-standing member of the Board and its subcommittees. His professional role is a lawyer working in commercial, corporate and capital markets and has extensive experience in both advising on corporate governance mixed with governance roles. David was the Chair of the Government’s regulatory body, the Takeovers Panel for a substantial period of time and has been involved at Government level also with law reform of commercial legislation. He is known also for his involvement in sports law in many different sporting fields, acting for athletes and sporting bodies. David is of both European and Māori descent (Ngāti Mahanga Hourua o Tainui). He is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his contribution to business and the economy.
David is an immediate past president of Y North and a long-standing member of the Board and its subcommittees. His professional role is a lawyer working in commercial, corporate and capital markets and has extensive experience in both advising on corporate governance mixed with governance roles. David was the Chair of the Government’s regulatory body, the Takeovers Panel for a substantial period of time and has been involved at Government level also with law reform of commercial legislation. He is known also for his involvement in sports law in many different sporting fields, acting for athletes and sporting bodies. David is of both European and Māori descent (Ngāti Mahanga Hourua o Tainui). He is a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his contribution to business and the economy.
David Jones
President
Bridget-Mary McGown
Vice President
Bridget-Mary is an experienced Senior Manager, Chair, Trustee and Director with experience in Health & Disability, Recreation, Education & Youth Development. She is a result driven strategic thinker with a comprehensive governance and operational management background complemented by academic qualifications and experience. Bridget-Mary believes successful organisations require a clear strategy built on innovative aspirations, supported by people working within a culture that is empowering and where all involved own and enable the values of the organisation - team culture is aligned to the organisation’s values. Bridget-Mary was awarded a life membership in 2019 for her significant service to the YMCA in Southland.
Bridget-Mary is an experienced Senior Manager, Chair, Trustee and Director with experience in Health & Disability, Recreation, Education & Youth Development. She is a result driven strategic thinker with a comprehensive governance and operational management background complemented by academic qualifications and experience. Bridget-Mary believes successful organisations require a clear strategy built on innovative aspirations, supported by people working within a culture that is empowering and where all involved own and enable the values of the organisation - team culture is aligned to the organisation’s values. Bridget-Mary was awarded a life membership in 2019 for her significant service to the YMCA in Southland.
Kari joined the YMCA Southland board in July 2021 and also holds multiple director positions in the Southland area including the Chair positon for Youthline Southland. She is extremely passionate about her local community and young people. She has a background in policy and strategy and has worked for local and national governments here and abroad for over 20 years. For her the YMCA is one of the only organisations that offers unique and all-inclusive opportunities for our communities.
Kari joined the YMCA Southland board in July 2021 and also holds multiple director positions in the Southland area including the Chair positon for Youthline Southland. She is extremely passionate about her local community and young people. She has a background in policy and strategy and has worked for local and national governments here and abroad for over 20 years. For her the YMCA is one of the only organisations that offers unique and all-inclusive opportunities for our communities.
Kari Graber
Board Director
Paul Yallop
Board Director
As a Retired Chartered Accountant, Paul’s business background has been in the commercial environment, encompassing the financial aspects of these businesses as well as their commercial operations and as a Board of Director’s advisor (legal compliance and financial governance being significant parts of all these appointments). He is a current director of YMCA North and was previously a committee member for St John Auckland, director Asthma New Zealand. Paul returns as a Director on the National Board of the National Council of YMCAs for a second term having been involved with the setting up of its governance policies and practices.
As a Retired Chartered Accountant, Paul’s business background has been in the commercial environment, encompassing the financial aspects of these businesses as well as their commercial operations and as a Board of Director’s advisor (legal compliance and financial governance being significant parts of all these appointments). He is a current director of YMCA North and was previously a committee member for St John Auckland, director Asthma New Zealand. Paul returns as a Director on the National Board of the National Council of YMCAs for a second term having been involved with the setting up of its governance policies and practices.