Collaborating on Buzzly, a platform that began as an innovation sprint and has evolved through an exciting journey of creativity, partnerships, and growth. Together with an amazing team, we’ve navigated the ups and downs to bring this idea to life. Buzzly is all about amplifying youth voices, ensuring they play a crucial role in shaping the decisions of tomorrow. Grateful to be part of this transformative journey and looking forward to what’s next!

In my role as the Programme Manager - Diversity & Inclusion at Auckland Council, I lead the development and implementation of external programmes focused on fostering an inclusive environment within Auckland's diverse communities. I play a pivotal role in shaping the city's inclusive framework, championing diversity, equity, and community engagement.

I am privileged to work in the social innovation space. I work with community organisations to co-design programmes to support young people who have been disconnected from education and employment in Auckland. Most programmes I have helped to prototype connect young people to progressive employment opportunities and help to launch them into entrepreneurial pathways.I have enabled community organisations by finding initial funding to start a prototype, learn from it by regular reflections and improve the design until it is viable for larger funders to fund for systemic changes. Some of the ideas include demand led workforce development, entrepreneurial pathways and tech career pathways development.In my role, I have advised 11 of the local boards in Auckland (South, Central and West) on their use of funding to support local economic activity that will benefit young people.

I will be primarily responsible for maintaining productive relationships with local boards who are part of Youth Connections (currently the Franklin, Papakura, Manurewa, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Māngere-Ōtahuhu, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Puketāpapa, Henderson-Massey and Waitākere Ranges local boards) and providing them with quality, strategic advice about local youth employment and enterprise initiatives.I will also play a pivotal role in connecting to and managing relationships with other elected representatives, community groups, other council family teams, employers and central government agencies. I will be focusing on facilitating activities which result in quality employment opportunities, supporting strong labour market attachment and improving prospects and opportunities for young people now and into the future.In this role I will need to show strong political acumen, be results-driven, have an entrepreneurial and innovation mindset, be a critical thinker and have robust programming skills.Key responsibilities include:- Deliver quality advice to local boards, funders and other stakeholders;- Lead and execute annual work programmes;- Champion innovation and systems change;- Build and maintain strong relationships;- Establish and implement monitoring, reporting and communications systems.

As a Talent Acquisition Consultant I am responsible to the delivery of strong potential candidate pipelines through direct and indirect candidate sourcing. Sourcing channel optimisation and proactive development of talent pools. Proactively sourcing, screening, talent pooling and marketing candidates to find capable people for Auckland Council.Key responsibilities:- Partner with Hiring Managers to understand business needs, job requirements and candidates sought;- Develop effective sourcing plan using a variety of appropriate sourcing channels;- Conduct database mining / talent pooling;- Generate high quality shortlists;- Develop and implement sourcing strategy and channels to build relevant talent pools;- Provide advice and expertise on appropriate candidate sourcing strategies;- Identify and proactively promote ‘top talent’ to relevant hiring managers.

As a Talent Sourcing Specialist I am responsible to the delivery of strong potential candidate pipelines through direct and indirect candidate sourcing. Sourcing channel optimisation and proactive development of talent pools. Proactively sourcing, screening, talent pooling and marketing candidates to find capable people for Auckland Council.Key responsibilities:- Partner with Hiring Managers and Talent Consultants to understand business needs, job requirements and candidates sought;- Develop effective sourcing plan using a variety of appropriate sourcing channels;- Conduct database mining / talent pooling;- Lead the screening processes to generate high quality longlists and shortlists;- Develop and implement sourcing strategy and channels to build relevant talent pools;- Manage candidate expectations and ensure timely and constructive feedback;- Continuously work towards improving talent sourcing and also candidate experiences;- Provide advice and expertise on appropriate candidate sourcing strategies;- Identify and proactively promote ‘top talent’ to relevant Talent Consultants and hiring managers.

Key Responsibilities:• Marketing and business development – actively promoting APM Work Care and its services to employers• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with employers to identify and secure client opportunities• Coaching individuals and groups in employment skills including CVs, cover letters, interview techniques and various job seeking techniques• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and candidates• Assessing candidate suitability• Liaising with government agencies to source suitable candidates

Key Responsibilities:• Developed and maintained effective relationships with employers to identify and secure client opportunities• Built and maintained strong working relationships with clients and candidates• Analysed job opportunities and determined best fit based on the skills and abilities of individual candidates• Provided pre-employment vocational assessment to determine candidate capabilities• Developed effective sourcing strategies and wrote advertisements for vacancies

Achievements:I regularly sourced high calibre applications from candidates that exceeded clients’ expectations leading to very successful and long term university appointments.Key Responsibilities:• Prepared formal written proposals and contracts for search assignments• Attended client briefings to discuss specific roles, understand their requirements and negotiate timeframes• Liaised with the client regarding advertising • Supervised and guided researchers in the execution of an effective and successful search• Research to identify suitable talent pools and gather relevant information on candidates• Maintained a positive and effective relationships with candidates supplying timely and accurate information on the position, conditions and selection process• Analysed and evaluated candidate applications• Prepared reports for selection committees• Assisted clients in coordinating candidate interviews• Held candidate and client debriefs

Achievements:I held sole responsibility to deliver the Postgraduate Orientation Program as part of the wider Orientation Day which included coordinating events at multiple campuses and provide up to date introductory material.I organised postgraduate research expositions to showcase the university’s research capabilities, sourced external sponsors and attracted industry increasing the event’s profile. Key Responsibilities:• Collaboration with Marketing & Communications Department to create effective advertising campaigns and promotional events and materials• Organisation and management of events in particular university wide postgraduate research expositions• Managed project budgets• Created reports and debriefs for the Dean of School of Graduate Studies as well as other departments on past events and promotions• Provided recommendations and suggestions to Dean of School of Graduate Studies on postgraduate recruitment matters

Achievements:I implemented several effective initiatives together with academics to identify ‘at risk’ students to ensure their success. I have successfully coordinated and organised Orientation programmes for international students.Key Responsibilities:• Communicated and built effective relationships with student recruitment agents and academic staff• Provided assistance to international students and resolved issues arising from settling into New Zealand• Management and coordination of orientation programmes as well as information sessions for staff and students to aid integration• Development and maintenance of promotional material• Identification of “failing students”, providing appropriate support to improve performance

Key Responsibilities:• Communicated and built effective relationships with student recruitment agents• Student Recruitment drive, information sessions and one-on-one advising for prospective international students in Colombo, Sri Lanka• Provided assistance to international students and resolved issues arising from settling into New Zealand• Coordination of orientation programmes and social events for staff and students to aid integration

Achievements:I provided effective guidance and advice to individuals that were finding it difficult to find employment. I built working relationships with employers who developed trust in me and repeatedly offered opportunities to candidates that I provided.Key Responsibilities:• Develop and maintain professional relationships with employers, government agencies and educational institutes• Hold consulting sessions with candidates to identify their skill sets, strengths and weaknesses• Assist and mentor candidates in CV development and interviewing skills• Guide people in attaining relevant qualification/training to achieve their goals• Source suitable employment and provide support from pre-employment to employment phase• Monitor candidates’ progress and resolve issues if any• Provide regular status and progress reports to management

Key Responsibilities:• Compiled high accuracy 3D maps for projects in United States and Europe• Updated New Zealand maps and land information