Meet the team

Our leaders

Our leaders are here to help with enquiries, opportunities to collaborate and the needs of rangatahi in our local communities.

Jesse Boyce

CEO

Jesse is the CEO of Zeal with 18 years’ leadership and programme management experience across public, private and nonprofit sectors. He is responsible for providing leadership, direction and coordination across all activities of Zeal in line with Zeal’s purpose. Jesse is responsible for Zeal’s overall strategy and culture, key national partnerships, and the overall day-to-day running of the organisation. Jesse co-founded Zion Dance Studio in Christchurch which has impacted thousands of young people lives and community members in Christchurch and has held various roles across organisations including World Vision, NV Interactive, the Ministry of Youth Development, and the Wellington Boys’ & Girls Institute.

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Linda Wilson

Funding Manager

 

 

Sandra Stephens

Policy & Fincance Manager

 

Tony O’Rourke

Acting General Manager 

 

Hamish Campbell

Kāpiti Manager

 

Tessa Tangaere

Hamilton Manager

Luke Galley

Taranaki Manager

 

Tavā Malolua

Wellington Manager

Neli Alo

West Auckland Manager

Chris Foster-Winder

Digital Directo

 

Meet our board

Zeal is a not-for-profit youth organisation, governed by a board of trustees.

Amanda Pilbrow (Chairperson)

Theologian, Spiritual Director, Integrative Enneagram Facilitator

Amanda works with a people-centred approach, focusing on people care management and promoting the well-being of individuals and communities. Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Applied Theology from Carey Baptist College, exploring various topics such as spirituality, sexuality, wholeness, diversity, and inclusion. Amanda runs a private practice as a Spiritual Director and Enneagram Practitioner, curator of Alreadyenough.co.nz, independent celebrant, and artist utilising several mediums. Amanda invites individuals to explore their spirituality and inner selves alongside understanding their unique Enneagram type. Amanda describes herself as a loyal skeptic influenced by liberation theology, which emphasises social justice and equity for all. Amanda’s goal is to help individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives and work towards personal and social transformation.

Greg Eden (Treasurer)

Founding Partner, Eden Palmer Prewett.

As the founder of accounting practice Eden Perich Prewett, Greg has exceptional financial management skills. He couples an outstanding eye for efficiency with a strategic mind to see beyond the numbers. 

Helen van Orton

Executive Contractor, Lotto

Helen van Orton is a Professional Director who brings a wide breath of governance experience to the board, including the Chair of the HR Institute of NZ, and a board director of the Co-operative Bank, Co-operative Life Ltd, Centrix Group Ltd, RuralCo and Zeal.  Helen has spent the last 20 years in directorship and executive leadership roles, with a focus on customer operations, customer experience, digital transformation, sales leadership and marketing.  She brings a wide level of corporate and co-operative experience, gained while working at companies such as Westpac and American Express, Air New Zealand, Vodafone and Lotto.

Glynis Sandland

Chief Executive, Whakarongorau Aotearoa // New Zealand Telehealth Services //

Glynis Sandland has held senior roles in both the private and public sectors and is currently the Chief Executive for Whakarongorau Aotearoa, having been appointed to this position in April 2023. Prior to that Glynis was Tumu Tamariki me ngā Whānau (DCE Services for Children and Families) for Oranga Tamariki having held this position since June 2017.

Glynis has experience in leading strategic partnerships, commercial business development, and large transformation and change programmes.  A pragmatic approach to delivering results through strong interpersonal and human relations skills, Glynis’ focus has been on leading large operational teams and complex projects, including organisational change and process improvement, cultural change, and system implementation with the aim to foster a team environment, inspire people and drive positive organisational outcomes.

Jon Chapman-Smith

Creative Director, Fuman Design

Raised on a sheep and beef farm in Raglan on New Zealand’s west coast, Jon moved to study in Auckland and graduated with a Bachelor of Design in 2000. In 2003, he founded Fuman.co.nz a multi award winning design studio. Jon has produced for a range of clients, from fledgling startups to major corporates, including Suntori, JDE, TVNZ, Nice Blocks, Fly Buys, Tiger Beer, Ford, and the Vodafone Music Awards.

David Christoffersen

Rank of inspector and currently deployed as Area Prevention.

Dave has served in the New Zealand Police for 20 years. He is at the rank of Snr Sergeant and currently deployed as acting Inspector, Area prevention manager for Auckland City. He spent a year as Senior advisor to the Southern command of the Bougainville Police service, Papua New Guinea. Dave has a Masters Degree in Social Work and prior to police work spent 10 years in the youth and community work sector.

Jovita Stellmacher (she/her) – Board Advisor

Palmerston North City Council

Jovita is originally from Germany but now calls Whanganui home, where she lives with her husband and two young children. As a Human First Partner at Yellow, she leads the diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, and believes that happy humans drive positive business outcomes. Her passion is contagious at Yellow and she walks the talk, organising and participating wholly in many initiatives. Jovita has been volunteering for Zeal for several years, supporting us in the people and culture space. Zeal’s values go hand-in-hand with Jovita’s passion for diversity, equity and inclusion – creating a space where people can be their authentic selves, belong and thrive.

Charles Looker (He/him) – Kaihautū | Kaiako Reo Māori | Kaitito Waiata | Kaipūoro

 
A descendant of Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngati Te Ata, and Te Āti Awa, Charles is a proud Kōhanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa Māori graduate. This drives his research in Initial Teacher Education for Māori Medium schools. With a Master of Professional Studies in Education, his journey to varsity began with MAINZ before completing a Bachelor of Music at Auckland University. His passion for young people and his culture motivated his Postgraduate Diploma in secondary teaching and the formation of the bilingual musical duo Aro alongside his wife. Inspired by mātauranga Māori, the self-identifying edu-tainers’ music celebrates the significance and beauty of Māori in Aotearoa through story and song.
Ngā mihi

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