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.
Nate Rowe
Kaitohutohu
"Mai te ka`u o Te Raukura, tēnā rā koutou e te iwi katoa." Nate has 20years experience in Learning and Development roles including working as a Senior Operations Manager managing Government Contracts that supported job seekers and local communities within Wellington with Literacy and Numeracy. Nate is also a member of Ngā Taonga mai Tawhiti Regional Kapa Haka rōpū and is a Kairaranga (weaver) for his local Marae in Pōneke Paparārangi. Nate has most recently worked with Te Tari Taiwhenua (Department of Internal Affairs) within Ministerial Services as their Culture and Capability Principal Advisor and is currently a Kairuruku for Mana Whenua of Wellington City Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui. "My pono is that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a representation of our past but also the now and future that ties the fabric of our national identity of Aotearoa New Zealand together".
"Mai te ka`u o Te Raukura, tēnā rā koutou e te iwi katoa." Nate has 20years experience in Learning and Development roles including working as a Senior Operations Manager managing Government Contracts that supported job seekers and local communities within Wellington with Literacy and Numeracy. Nate is also a member of Ngā Taonga mai Tawhiti Regional Kapa Haka rōpū and is a Kairaranga (weaver) for his local Marae in Pōneke Paparārangi. Nate has most recently worked with Te Tari Taiwhenua (Department of Internal Affairs) within Ministerial Services as their Culture and Capability Principal Advisor and is currently a Kairuruku for Mana Whenua of Wellington City Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui. "My pono is that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a representation of our past but also the now and future that ties the fabric of our national identity of Aotearoa New Zealand together".
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.
Wee Li Cheong is an experienced banking and finance executive with an international banking career of over 2 decades spanning across Asia, Middle East, Oceania and the Pacific Island. He is currently a regional head of department for a top global bank and is responsible for managing their institutional clients and government relationships across New Zealand and the Pacific Island countries. As a devoted Christian and a loving husband and father of two wonderful children, Wee Li is passionate about youth development and believes his background in banking and finance as well as his leadership outside of his workplace could be used to serve and impact the next generation of youth in Aotearoa. He is keen to deliver to the mission of The Y for every New Zealand youth for a stronger Aotearoa tomorrow.
Wee Li Cheong is an experienced banking and finance executive with an international banking career of over 2 decades spanning across Asia, Middle East, Oceania and the Pacific Island. He is currently a regional head of department for a top global bank and is responsible for managing their institutional clients and government relationships across New Zealand and the Pacific Island countries. As a devoted Christian and a loving husband and father of two wonderful children, Wee Li is passionate about youth development and believes his background in banking and finance as well as his leadership outside of his workplace could be used to serve and impact the next generation of youth in Aotearoa. He is keen to deliver to the mission of The Y for every New Zealand youth for a stronger Aotearoa tomorrow.
Wee Li Cheong
Board Director