The Mission Leadership

The Wellington City Mission Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees

Chairman
Sam Perry

Sam has been a Barrister and Solicitor for 39 years and is a partner in the law firm of Brandons.  He is also a Notary Public.  His practice is mainly in the field of trusts and property, and he is also a director of several private companies.  In addition, his clients include a significant number of charitable and other not-for-profit organisations.  Sam's association with The Wellington City Mission began when he was appointed as its Solicitor 14 years ago.  Subsequently, in 2006, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Mission.  He was elected Chair in June 2011.  Sam has been involved in voluntary work in the community for many years.  For 15 years he was a Samaritan in Wellington (and is a former Chair of Samaritans New Zealand), and for nine years he was the Chairman of its Committee of Management.  For longer than he can remember he has been on the volunteer panel at the Newtown Legal Advice Centre.  He is also a Trustee of the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Trust, and Vice-President and Life Member of Stagecraft Theatre.  While Sam has had a life-long interest in opera and theatre, his real passion is working with wood - in particular, the construction of furniture and stage sets.  He lives with his wife, Iona, and their cats, the number of which must remain undisclosed.

Deputy Chairman
Jeff Lee

Trustees

Garry Wilson

Jon Hartley

Erica Newell

Leanne Campbell

MJ Cheape

The Wellington City Mission has been fortunate to work very closely throughout the year with Debby Butler MInstD, MAICD.  Under Debby's approachable, considerate and professional direction, The Mission has been provided with extremely valuable advice in the areas of governance, management, structure and best practice.  We now consider Debby an important member of The Mission team. 

The Management Team

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Branney

Michelle, having held general management positions in the private sector, joined The Mission as CEO in April 2007.  Her background includes nurse education, health and social service management both overseas and in New Zealand. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Massey University. As Chief Executive Officer of The Mission, she is principally concerned with strategic planning, policies, financial and staff management. As well as her role as CEO, Michelle is the Executive Director of Mission Residential Care Limited and Mission Foods Limited.

City Missioner

Susan Blaikie

Susan is married to her husband Duncan, and they have four children who have grown up and left home apart from the youngest.  They also share their home with Susan's mother, and a solo mother and her lovely daughter who has just turned one.  Over her working life, Susan has spent her time divided across the church and corporate worlds.  Susan was ordained as a priest with the Anglican Church eleven years ago, and has spent time as the Priest in Charge in Island Bay and more recently in Berhampore/Newtown.  When not working at the church, Susan worked as a Project Manager with Telecom New Zealand and Alcatel Lucent.  Susan completed her theology degree in 2006 and is coming towards the end of her Masters of Ministry.  Susan has a real passion for mission; for the care and well-being of the most vulnerable in our communities.  While working in Berhampore and Newtown, Susan worked with refugees, those struggling with mental health issues, poverty, addiction, and at-risk families.  ‘It is a tremendous privilege to walk alongside those who struggle to obtain the qualities in life I often take for granted.  I never walk away from these relationships poorer; it is a humbling yet enriching experience to hear their stories of courage and perseverance.  They may walk away with gratitude because I have listened to a tiny portion of their story, but I leave with an indescribable fullness and joy; a moment in time when I experience the heart of God who embraces the breadth and depth of our human family.'

Finance and Administration Manager

Kevin Walker

Kevin joined The Mission as a permanent part-time member of staff in December 2011.

General Manager Operations

Maria Millin

Maria is responsible for the overall operations of all parts of The Mission, including Community Services, Mission Residential Care Limited and Mission Foods Limited. She has a background in nursing with 19 years experience in both the public and private health sectors, including general and geriatric nursing, nursing training, quality assurance, assessment and rehabilitation.

Marketing Manager

Leanne Thompson

Leanne has an extensive background in marketing, events, communications, fundraising, brand management, display and advertising.  She is responsible for managing and leading the marketing, communications and fundraising functions across each of the Community Services programmes, Mission Residential Care and Mission Foods Ltd.  Leanne also manages key relationships with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers and media.

Mission for Seniors

Vicki St. Clair
Manager

Vicki has been with Mission for Seniors since 2005.  She is a Registered Nurse with over 35 years experience, and a member of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.  Vicki brings extensive leadership and managerial experience within both primary and residential care environments, and is a specialist on quality and project management, programme development and communication.  Her ability to relate to people from all ages and walks of life and optimistic attitude is a huge strength for The Mission.  She believes in a strengths-based approach, and that everyone has accountability to themselves and wherever possible should be given the freedom or space to be able to think through issues and make their own decisions. The Mission Vision for Vicki is her biggest motivator - helping people be as independent as possible so they are able to make positive change in their lives through a professional, compassionate and caring supportive team.  Her collaborative leadership style supports a multi-disciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and support workers.

Mission for Youth

John Chapman
Manager

John has a professional background in the NGO sector involving several years in Youth and Community Development.  He has acquired skills in implementing new initiatives which include creating programmes through key stakeholder consultation, and has experience in the hands-on delivery of grass-roots high-risk youth programme and transition to work schemes.  John has held various management positions in Youth Development and has also studied with PRAXIS Youth Work Training (this is ongoing). He is passionate about sport, especially rugby and has a history in Sport Development through roles such as the Sport Manawatu - Horowhenua District Coordinator and as the CEO of the Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Union.  John also owns his own businesses, is skilled in property development and is currently completing a qualification in Applied Business Growth.  John brings a wide range of knowledge and experience to the team and is passionate about youth participation, holistic community involvement, organisational collaboration across the sector and advocates for the well-being of youth/rangatahi and their families/whanau. He has a strong faith and applies these values intrinsically through his work approach, commitment and relationships with staff, students and key stakeholders. He is also committed to working to provide solutions with youth for youth by youth, and is looking forward to exciting times ahead - being a part of the development and future direction of Mission for Youth.

Anthony Carter
Transition to Work Co-ordinator

Anthony has been with The Wellington City Mission since 2004.  He possesses a real passion for helping rangatahi (young people) leads The Mission's 'Transition to Work' programme - a youth-focused service for young people aged between 16 and 20 who lack the skills and/or qualifications to immediately get into employment or further training.  Anthony saw this as an opportunity to practise and teach professional and life skills and make meaningful changes in young lives.  A major part of Anthony's work ethos comes through his Faith and he says, "I am really blessed to have a very enriching and rewarding job.  The bonus is that I also get paid for helping and treating others the way I was brought up to do at home and through my faith."

Mission for Independence

Jill Hilston
Manager

Jill joined The Mission in January 1997, bringing an extensive background in both the private and government sector to the organisation.  Initially employed as Receptionist for our Community Services operation in Newtown, Jill then spent seven years as a trained Budget Advisor with our Mission for Independence programme.  Jill’s role as Manager includes the administration of Reception, the Foodbank, our Budget Advice and Money Management Service and the Drop-in Centre, which provides meals and social connectedness to service users during the week.

Mission for Families

Olivia Lange
Manager

Olivia joined The Mission in 2005 as a social worker for the Families programme.  She has a Bachelor of Social Work (Biculturalism in Practice) gained through Te Wananga o Aotearoa School of Applied Social Services.  Olivia manages a team of five other social workers who deliver an out-reach service throughout the Hutt Valley and Wellington.

Kemp Home and Hospital

Valelia Gibb
Nurse Manager

Valelia Gibb is the Nurse Manager of Kemp Home and Hospital in Titahi Bay leading a team of seven nurses and overseeing the general operations of the facility. Valelia is a Registered Nurse who holds a Bachelor of Nursing from Whitireia Polytech. She has been a member of the staff at Kemp Home and Hospital since 2002 and was the recipient of a special Capital and Coast DHB award in recognition of her nursing contribution within the healthcare team.  Valelia has a strong background in the implementation of Quality Assurance programmes and has recently completed an internal auditor’s course. She continues to keep up with her own professional development, currently studying Palliative Care at a post-graduate level.  Valelia is passionate about her role at Kemp Home and Hospital with a strong belief in ensuring that the voices of the elderly continue to be heard and that they are enabled to live with dignity and pride as active members of their community.