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Norm Hill - Alumni Leader of the Year 2024

Pictured above:  Norm Hill – CELF Alumni Leader of the Year & Dr Peter SunPhotograph by:  Barker Photography @barkerphotonz...

Class of 2024 Graduates

The Class of 2024 Graduates:  (left to right)Back:  Sam Kilgour (Prolife Foods), Karen Scott (Scott Solutions), Mark Clough (Fosters),  Gary Smith (WCML), Ryan Smith (Schick).2nd Row: Amber-Lee Elliott (Kiatipu), Andrea Elliott-Hohepa (Te Rūnganga o Kirikiriroa), Nicky Forsyth (ISS), Megan Campbell (Director), Pru Sheahan (Braemar Hospital), Natalie Brownlie (Te Tamawai Trust), Tracey Cameron (Habitat For Humanity), Amanda Shaw (Graeme Dingle Foundation).Front...

Rethinking Waste

On Tuesday, November 12, Sustainability Walk The Talk (SWTT) visited saveBOARD’s Hamilton plant  where we saw how waste soft plastics and composite  packaging are transformed into viable and sustainable building products.Charlotte Catmur - Sustainability and Climate Change Manager, Hamilton City Council said, “It really makes you rethink how our purchasing decisions can make a difference and about the significant role circularity has in sustainability and reducing emissions.”save...

Diversity Counselling NZ launches THRIVE

In a significant stride towards inclusivity and support for ethnic communities, Diversity Counselling NZ unveiled THRIVE on April 30, 2024, amidst the vibrant gathering of over 100 community members and leaders at the Hamilton City Council Reception Lounge. This innovative platform emerges from a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, particularly when navigating mental and well-being issues. THRIVE stands as a testament to the power...

Keeping You Growing

Brett Maber: Cultivating Leadership and Growth at Power FarmingIn the heart of New Zealand's agricultural industry, where tradition meets innovation, stands Brett Maber, a figure whose leadership journey epitomises the essence of growth and community empowerment. As a director at Power Farming, Maber has not only advanced the company's legacy but also redefined the paradigms of leadership within the agricultural sector.A Journey Rooted in ResilienceFor Maber, leadership was not a path paved...

Sustainability: Walk The Talk

Celebrating the success of our inaugural event on March 23rd, Sustainability: Walk The Talk (SWTT) sets the stage for action-focused learning and networking.Sponsored by Hamilton City Council and CELF: Community & Enterprise Leadership Foundation, in partnership with Action Manufacturing, SWTT is your gateway to witnessing sustainable practices in action.Our recent tour focused on waste minimisation, spotlighting Action Manufacturing's commitment to environmental responsibility. Attendees ga...

CELF Alumni Leader of the Year 2023

Our congratulations go  to Brett Maber.  Brett was a finalist for the Alumni Leader of the Year Award in 2022 and in 2023.  Brett was late to a conversation because he had been out on the field, pulling down goal posts after a kid’s rugby practice. Nothing like servant leadership in action.Since completing the Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF), Elevate Leadership Programme, Brett has not let the grass grow under his feet.  In business Brett and the Power...

CELF Alumni Leader of the Year 2023

The Alumni Leader of the Year Award recognises the positive impact and contribution a leader and their leadership has had on their own organisation and community, exemplifying the mission and values of CELF.Being recognised by their alumni this year was  Andy Mannering -  Kaianga Ora,  Brett Maber – Power Farming,  Darren Ward Swim Waikato, Dr Jeremy Mayall – Creative Waikato and Mike Rolton – St Vincent de Paul’s.Susan Trodden, Co-Chair – CELF said when considering...

CELF's Elevate Class of 2023 Graduates

The Class of 2023 Graduates:  Back from the left:  Cam Corkill (BNZ), Steven Robertson (WEL), Tom Jackson (Prolife), 2nd Row: Joanne Turner (Hamilton Christian Night Shelter), Tania Pointon (SEED), Kate Shaw (ConneXu), Denise Gemmell (Community Living), Heidi Gleeson (True Colours), Carmen Jacobson (NZ Police), Anna King (Braemar), Mary Ngaronga (St  Vincent de Paul), Tamsin Webb (Hamilton City Council) Megan Austin (Golden Homes), Will Loughrin (NZ Police) Front from the left: Gr...

Kylie's Leadership Insights

Kylie Leonard's leadership journey spans from the methodical routines of a dairy farm to the structured debates of council chambers.With a foundation built on passion, leadership, and family roots, Leonard's experiences offer a unique perspective on adaptability and commitment.Leonard's passion for farming is more than just professional—it's in her DNA, a bond that she shares with the land. This link to a nature-bound lifestyle is something many may feel distanced from in today's fast-paced wo...

CELF Taster

Our first (Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation) CELF Taster event will provide opportunity for you to bring along a colleague, friend, fellow leader, to gain insight about CELF.Our aim is to build the profile of CELF, raise awareness of the Elevate Leadership Programme, as we look to our Class of 2024 intake as we contine to deliver on our mission to grow leadership capability for a stronger Waikato.   When:     Thursday 7 SeptemberAt:      &nbs...

Class of 2022 Graduates

The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2022 at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato on Thursday 10 November 2022. 18 graduates joined the growing CELF Alumni. In its 7th year and with 132 CELF Alumni or Celfies as they refer to themselves, active in the Waikato Community we are seeing increased impact of the ripple effect these leaders and their leadership are having on their organisations and their communi...

Walk with the Wise and Become Wise

BY:  Cathan Bowler - Story Hub Podcaster: It’s one of my favourite proverbs that captures the essence of my Dad’s advice for me as I started out in my KPMG internship. “Son, Business is relationships. Meet people and get to know their story.” So I did. During the 2019/2020 summer (assuming you believe Wellington has a summer) I met with 41 of the management consultants in our team. From Partners to Grads, I started with the simple question of - What is your story? Listening to 41 d...

Keeping Up with Kaumatua

Until I met Rangimahora Reddy (CEO), I did not know anything about Rauawaawa Kaumatua Charitable Trust (Rauawaawa), the location, the depth and breadth of services offered across health and well-being, education, and activities to support and enhance the quality of life of Kaumatua. I was impressed. The warmth of welcome, the immediate sense of community and a strong feeling of belonging – gosh what more could one want of a community facility. Rauawaawa is located in Colombo Street, Frankton,...

Leadership Matters

Brendon McLean - Prolife Foods If you are an organisation in the Waikato and you are looking at developing your leaders and building stronger connections across the region there is nothing more impactful for your teams, your business and your region than the CELF Programme. ...

CELF Leadership Fund

First Published 15 June by Momentum Waikato.  Two young organisations focused on ensuring a proud and prosperous Waikato forever have come together in a new investment partnership. The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation – CELF – was established in 2014 to ‘grow future leaders from all walks of life to build a stronger Waikato’. The Momentum Waikato Community Foundation was established in 2013 to build a regional endowment fund and drive transformational projects, with th...

Celebrating Leadership

Rachel Karalus, CEO K’aute Pasifika, CELF Alumni Leader of the year 2020 was a humble recipient of this Award and continues to live out her purpose every day. The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF), as part of Leadership Week (22-26 November 2021) is seeking nominations of CELF Alumni for this year’s Award. The Alumni Leader of the Year 2021 will recognise a CELF alumni for their outstanding leadership in the Waikato. ...

Graeme Geurts

Today's CELF board member in the spotlight is Graeme Geurts, Head of Waikato Region for BNZ. Here is a few Q&A's that we did with Graeme....

Stronger Together

It’s not often that key business and community leaders’ step outside the intensity of their busy occupations to embark on a journey of professional development, self-reflection and conversation... but on the 7th of April, a group of carefully chosen Waikato leaders committed to doing exactly that. READ MORE...

CELF Board Profile - Dee McManus-Emery

Today's CELF board member in the spotlight is Deanne McManus-Emery, Regional Manager at Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children. Here is a few Q&A's that we did with Dee....

CELF Board Profile - Andrew Boyd

Next up in the CELF Board Profile series is General Manager of St John New Zealand, CELF Alumni and Trustee, Andrew Boyd. We asked Andrew a series of questions, and these were his answers....

CELF Board Profile - John Adams

In today's feature of CELF's Board Profile series is Director of Hamilton KPMG and CELF Trustee, John Adams. We asked John a series of questions, and these were his answers....

CELF Board Profile - David Irving

We recently started a series of blogs profiling CELF board members to give you insight into the people behind the Foundation. Next up is CELF's Co-founder David Irving. We asked David a series of questions, and these were his answers....

CELF Board Profile - Simone Molenaar

In today's feature of CELF's Board Profile series  to give you insight into the people behind the Foundation, is CEO of Aspire Simone Molenaar. We asked Simone a series of questions, and these were her answers....

CELF Board Profile - Susan Trodden

Over the next few weeks we will be profiling CELF board members to give you insight into the people behind the Foundation. First up is Co-chair Susan Trodden! We asked Susan a series of questions, and these were her answers....