OUR STAFF

Gary Diprose

MANAGING DIRECTOR
“Everybody deserves a great future. To stand in the corner of our young people who need support is my privilege. I get to invest my time and energy to such a worthy cause… it’s life changing.”

Dan Gray

GENERAL MANAGER
“I work for Springboard because I want to make a difference and the work we are doing changes lives in this community”.

Heather Upson

FINANCE MANAGER
“I work here because of what Springboard stands for – believing there is good in everyone, taking the time to encourage and support individuals to make good choices for a great future – Helping people help themselves!”

Stephanie Lane

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
“I love getting to help our communities’ vulnerable youth and working with an awesome team of tutors, supervisors and managers who have hearts the size of mountains.”

David Fa'alogo

ALBANY YOUTH SERVICE COACH/MANAGER
“We all have a story to share, as a youth coach we have the opportunity to be a part of one’s story. I want to encourage young people that anything is possible”

Susan Robinson

CONTRACT MANAGER (NEETs, YP & YPP)
“I love being part of an amazing team that carries the history; present and future, of providing a solid support network to our young people. To bring change; helping others realise their potential, gives me the biggest joy in life. Springboard is a personal organisation that shows heart in this great community.”

Kimberley Portman

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR (NEETs, YP & YPP)
“I have felt called to be a guide to young people, ever since I was a teenager and had a mentor come into my life. I believe that that relationship is a big reason why I am still alive today. I do this for the one young person who needs someone like I did”.

Tanya Quedley

YOUTH COACH (NEETs, YP/YPP)
“I’ve always had a passionate heart to serve Aotearoa’s young people which was birthed out of my own story of being on the streets, and having no-one to understand or support me in what I was going through. Springboard offers a full wrap-around support service armed with love and hope for our future generation of young people in Aotearoa and I’m stoked to be part of a team that shares the same values and goals”. 

Sara Cavanagh

YOUTH COACH (NEETs)
“I am so blessed to be here at Springboard and be given the opportunity to work with our young people. I hope I can help to guide them, impart them with hope for the future, and just be there for them. I want our young people to know that I am in their corner.”

Sian Howan

YOUTH COACH (NEETs/YP/YPP)
“I believe our rangatahi have great potential and voices that need to be heard. Springboard has such an awesome heart for relationship and strengthening communities by supporting our young people, this is something I am passionate about and I am so blessed to be a part of this team.”

Sheralyn Cotton

MENTORING COORDINATOR
“I work at Springboard because I carry hope that everyone can have a brighter future”.

Michelle Sherlock

SOCIAL WORKER
“I have an intrinsic need to help young people reach their goals and realise their full potential. They are our future.
At Springboard I have the privilege to work alongside some incredible young people who are striving to make positive change in their lives. I am so fortunate to be able to share a little of their journey with them here at Springboard and in our community.”

Shaz Glen

YOUTH & FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER
“I work here because I want to be that helping hand at the top of the cliff for our young people, rather than an ambulance at the bottom. Being in their corner and helping them strive for the best.”

Arapeta Waata

TUTOR
“Im really excited to have this opportunity to give back,  from my life experiences,  to troubled youth and hopefully help them realise there is a better way and that there is always hope even in your darkest moments of life.”

Hannah Oliver

TUTOR
“I want my legacy to be that they saw me fail and get back up, realising that failing is okay but we all have the possibility to choose different for ourselves at any given opportunity. I want to leave a sense of achievement in the kids that helps them see what is possible and have a fire to help others as well.”

Luke Liederman

TUTOR
“I want to to see young people succeed in life in a positive way and showing them I will do whatever I can too, see them achieve their goals.”

Helen Gwyn

TUTOR
“Every one of us is in this race called life, yet for many young people it’s been a rough start. I see my role as one of the people who can help set them up for a win. I want to bring out the gold in their passions and potential and create a place of belonging.”

Suzie Hegley

EMPLOYMENT COACH
“Springboard feels like an awakening of my true values and what inspires my core beliefs and passions. Taking on board my role I have felt a sense of intent and focus, which holds the belief that everyone, no matter their background has the skills, talents and potential. With every journey we support a young person through we bring them towards new learnings and a purpose of health, well-being and the opportunity to be heard. In being a part of this enlightening pathway we also give a sense of belonging and connection. It’s truly incredible to be a part of this team and community. “

Hannah Tomey

PROGRAMME DEVELOPER
“I love it that we get to support young people see their possibilities, see their futures and the diamonds inside themselves”.

Shelldon Holdsworth

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT MENTOR & DRIVERS ED INSTRUCTOR
“I work at Springboard to be that friend to a young person, that scaffolds life changes and adds support where possible. I commit myself to diligently work in collaboration with a multi-talented group in a consistent, practical and task-oriented way”.

Daniel Waitoa

YARD FOREMAN
“I work at Springboard with the hope that others can see that it is possible to change your life”.

Nikki Arnold

MENTOR
“I needed a chance when I was a young person, Springboard gave me one. Now I get to help others have that same chance. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”.

Caleb McCulloch

SYSTEMS DEVELOPER
“As a Computer Science student my biggest fear has always been that I would end up in a box working for some soulless company; and I am so happy to say that Springboard is anything but that. There really is a positive atmosphere about the place that is geared towards bringing change to the community and it is so exciting to be a part of that.”

Occasionally opportunities arises to add new members to the Springboard crew.

If you are looking to work with young people, their families or in community development be sure to watch this space.