I have spent most of my professional life advocating for and supporting the development of community managed housing. I chose upon graduation in the early 1980s to join the then Housing Corporation of NZ. My first role was managing the funding programmes for local authorities and community housing organisations. I was one of three people in the HNZC's inaugral Community Housing Division and I have been in this space ever since. This has included significant sector relationship management, housing policy, strategic policy, operational management (including overseing a significant investment programmes) and change management experience and skills.I am passionate about social housing and in particular about a bigger role for community housing providers to complement the important role of public (State) housing. As Group Manager Social Housing Sector in Victoria I worked closely and positively with community housing providers during a period of significant sector reform. I believe in community housing providers (both in Victoria and in New Zealand) and will continue to do whatever I can to support their bigger future.