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.”

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”. 

Karena Te Ruki-Pasene

YOUTH COACH (NEETs)

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.”

Tania Balzat

COUNSELLOR/SUPPORT WORKER
“Many experiences in life bring stressors that feel overwhelming at times. Client-centered counselling provides a supportive and safe environment where issues can be clarified, options and ways of navigating these can be explored, and effective strategies can be developed to bring about positive change.  Nothing excites me more than seeing people grasp hold of hope and then go on to flourish in life. I have watched the development of Springboard for nearly two decades and to now be a staff member feels like a dream come true”

Penny Scott

SHEEPWORLD MANAGER

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.”

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

Niki Arnold

TUTOR/BOXING COACH
“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”.

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.