Cam Calkoen, Ambassador
Cam Calkoen is our Ambassador for YES, and has lived disability experience through cerebral palsy. He is an inspirational public speaker and has been a key driving force in the creation of YES and our services. Cam is also an athlete and narrowly missed representing New Zealand at the 2008 Paralympics.
Karen Ellis, Finance Manager / Accountant
Karen is the finance Manager/Accountant of YES and is a qualified accountant. She is responsible for everything related to the finances of YES including the accounts, payments, and payroll. She has life experience with a disability, as she is deaf with cochlear implants, and just loves meeting and working with young people with disabilities. Her varied […]
Abdulla Shiblaq, I.Lead Youth Facilitator
Abdulla has been with the team for a year and is one of the Youth Facilitators, organising I.Drive and is one of our Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Leaders.
Maxwell Cowden, Marketing Coordinator
Maxwell is YES’s Marketing Coordinator, creating and publishing our bi-monthly in-house newsletter for the past 8 years. He brings some very impressive qualifications, with a BA in Japanese from Unitec, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies from Massey University. This is also backed by an impressive work ethic and a solid track record of […]
Brendon Hosken
Brendon is a past President of Rotary, a long term patron of the Business Excellence Network and currently sits on the Board for another community Youth initiative. Brendon’s work experience includes 20 years in the building industry and he currently runs a property development company delivering new homes in Auckland.
Catherine Lamb
Catherine has been an active member of the North Harbour Community since moving to the North Shore in 1995. She is currently a Relationship Manager for the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust, having previously held the position of General Manager. Catherine is the Chair of the AIMES Junior Excellence Awards Judging Panel. Along with […]
Lucy Anastasiadou-Hobbs
Lucy comes from Greece and completed her a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy in the UK. She worked at the 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2001 looking after the National Paralympic Committees. She moved to New Zealand in 2004 and since then has been involved in fundraising roles. Now she runs her […]
Joanne Mahon
Joanne has an extensive career in corporate communications and brand across a range of industries in New Zealand and the UK. Joanne is currently Chief Communications & Brand Officer for the Southern Cross group of health and wellbeing businesses, with responsibility for media relations, government and stakeholder relations, as well as brand and internal communications. […]
Elissa Downey
Elissa brings extensive communications experience across corporate, government and not-for-profit environments. She is currently an External Communications Manager at IAG, New Zealand’s largest general insurer. She has held senior communications roles at Vector, Vodafone New Zealand and the Halberg Foundation. Her experience ranges from corporate, internal and strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, issues and crisis management, […]
