About Us
Mary Jensen, Regional Manager Smart Waikato
Mary Jensen, Waikato born and bred, brings to the role 20 years of experience in the tertiary education sector - both lecturing and marketing, marketing consulting to small and medium sized businesses around New Zealand, and regional development in the arts and tourism sectors in the Nelson and Taupo regions. Most recently Mary was Regional Manager of Skillwise for the Waikato Economic Development Agency Katolyst and spent 18 months working with businesses and the tertiary sector around developing Waikato workforce capabilities. This included facilitation work with the Thoroughbred Horse sector, the engineering/manufacturing sector, working on Hamilton City Council Economic Development Strategy - Hamilton Skills Action Plan and on the Tertiary Education Commission's (TEC) Regional Facilitation Steering Group for the Waikato region. Mary is currently on the 2009 Steering Group and the manufacturing and agricultural working groups for TEC Regional Facilitation determining tertiary training needs, gaps and priorities in the Waikato.
Mary has identified that Waikato schools and the business community need to have greater linkages to foster young people into the workplace, develop leadership and innovative talent in our youth and send through clear messages about skills needed into the future. Thus, the Smart Waikato Trust has been established.
Aside from this Smart Waikato project, Mary continues to consult to regional organisations, educational institutions and small to medium enterprises in marketing, research and strategic advice and planning, through her consultancy Outsauce Marketing Ltd, www.outsauce.co.nz
Mary is also Co-ordinator for WECA, Waikato Engineering Careers Association.
Roger Evans, Trustee Smart Waikato
Roger Evans is the CEO of Stafford Engineering Ltd, established in 1986 to service the local precision engineering market. Over the ensuing years the business has prospered and evolved into a comprehensive facility manufacturing food processing and packaging equipment for the world. In recent years Roger has discovered that skill shortage has been an impediment not only to the business operation but also the opportunity to grow. Frustration motivated Roger to first understand and devise strategies then confront the issues by providing Leadership, vision and energy.
Through partnership with other Industry leaders Roger has helped establish
- WECA (Waikato Engineering Careers Association) with a vision to raise the profile of engineering so that young people see engineering as a career of choice
- Skillwise with a vision to align education and training for the economic development of our region by establishing "partnerships that strategically consider the human resources our region needs in the future and influence the providers of education and training to provide it."
When the funding for Skillwise came to an end Roger was encouraged to continue his involvement by becoming a Trustee for Smart Waikato, an independent Charitable Trust with a vision to co-ordinate meaningful connections between Waikato Schools and Waikato work places.
Clive Hamill, Trustee Smart Waikato
Clive Hamill is a veteran Principal whose leadership spans 25 years in Primary, Area and Secondary Schools. He is currently in his fifth year at Melville High School. He was born and raised in rural Taranaki and is of Irish and Scottish decent. He loves his work and enjoys teaching and learning. His favourite mantra is – Leadership is action not position. Clive tries to be a reflective practitioner and actively explores innovative pathways for student success. He believes that developing strong partnerships between education and the workplace is essential for our nation’s growth and development. He enjoys spending time with his family, sea fishing and watching sport.
Anna Allison, Communications Manager Smart Waikato
Anna Allison was born in the Waikato, and is a director/shareholder of a dairy farm. Anna obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree at The University of Waikato, and, upon returning from overseas travel, completed a Diploma in Primary Teaching, also at the University of Waikato. She taught in Matamata for a number of years and she has a strong interest in the success and achievement of the young people of the Waikato.
