Congratulations!
The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF) celebrated the graduation of the Elevate Leadership Class of 2019 at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts On Friday 12 April.
Julian Williams, 2016 CELF Alumnus MC'd the evening with passion and aplomb. John Cook, Chair of CELF and Neil Quigley, The University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the partnership between CELF and the University to deliver the Elevate Programme and the significance and impact of having 79 CELF Alumni in the community.
Kingsley Fink, General Manager of Tristram Marine and CELF Alumni 2018, spoke passionately about CELF and how it has changed his life and the positive impact on Tristram Marine.
Dr Bernie Crosby, co-founder of CELF who recently retired from his Trustee responsibilities was made a Patron of The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation and recognised for his contribution to CELF and its formation with a heartfelt presentation by fellow co-founder David Irving.
Nathan Collins (Habitat for Humanity) and Chris Horan (BNZ) spoke on behalf of the Class of 2019, acknowledging the businesses who willingly opened their doors and to the leaders of those businesses who candidly shared their leadership experiences, successes and failures with the class. The presenters and facilitators were thanked for their contribution, research and specialist knowledge and sincere thanks was extended to Prof. Peter Sun for his constant guidance throughout their learning journey.
Congratulations Class of 2019!
Pictured above:
Norm Hill (Boffa Miskel), Andrew Matheson (Matheson Consulting), Amanda Hema (The Stakeholder Agency), Karlene Verryt (DV Bryant) Huge Wakelin, Thomas Campbell
(PowerFarming), Lizana Tuake (CORE), Pat Peoples (Schick Civil & Construction), Rachel Karalus (K’aute Pasifika), Shane Keesom (Gallagher), Teresa Bidlake (Hospice), Ross Lamberton (Prolife Foods), Kylie Leonard (NZ Diary Woman’s Network), Mike Ryan (UltraFast Fibre), Chris Horan (BNZ), John Cook (CELF-Chair), Nathan Collins (Habitat For Humanity), Neil Quigley (The University of Waikato - Vice-Chancellor), Tania Witheford (CELF), Rick Thorpe (Xtremezerowaste)
CELF Journey
The day prior to graduation, the Class of 2019 paddled 15 kms in two double waka down the Waikato River. This journey was the perfect metaphor for each of the participants as a reflection of their own CELF journey and an opportunity to learn about the significance of the Waikato River. It was a time to stop and appreciate from where each of the group had come from and to where they are going.
