Sharing knowledge of impact through story

Leanne Gibson took up full responsibilities for the role of Hynds Foundation Programme Director in December 2023. Here she explains the role’s purpose, and the background to her coming into the role.

Up until December 2023, I was focused on the role of Executive Director of the Manurewa High School Business Academy, which was fully funded by the Hynds Foundation. Now I am focused on wider responsibilities to lead, develop and evaluate programmes across the Hynds Foundation pillars. This includes the Arts, Community Wellbeing, Education, Environment and Health/Health Research. My role also has responsibilities for communications to lift the Foundation’s profile.

There are many exciting programmes underway at the Foundation. Here’s a snapshot of three:

• Scaling of the Business Academy model to Papakura High School and other South Auckland schools. We will measure our success by growth in partnerships and programmes, aligned to students’ needs.
• Development of the Crucible Artist Residency in Ōamaru, as a first step in support of regional revitalisation through creative opportunities. The residency is based in the Gillies MetalTech foundry, a Hynds business unit. Artists have embraced a unique opportunity, which supports them to develop their creative practices in an inspirational place, and working with skilled foundry technicians.
• Ecological regeneration of Pōkeno Park – ultimately to be the platform for artists and communities to thrive through the combination of art in nature. Measuring our success requires a blend of ecological tracking, and social data on collaborations that enable participation.

What path led you to your role now?

I started in journalism and then, as a mum, I was able to raise a family and run a communications consultancy. I always had a school as part of my client mix. I was doing communications work for Manurewa High School and became involved in the early stages when John Hynds was setting up the Business Academy.

Supported by the Hynds Foundation, over 10 years my role grew to enable an extensive ecosystem of business and tertiary education partners around the school community.

How would you describe the value you bring to the Hynds Foundation and its programmes?

I would hope to be valued for being open, curious, and collaborative. I enjoy being action-oriented and focused on impact.

How is your new role positively contributing to impacts for communities and projects?

This is a new role in the Foundation. As well as financial resources, we can offer experience, facilities and networks that can enhance programmes. The role supports the Hynds family to strengthen community relationships and deepen our understanding of the optimal times and places where we can play a part. We encourage knowledge sharing through our annual Impact Reports, and these in turn create positive exposure for the solutions being explored. I believe stories are an essential element for understanding what’s involved in achieving societal outcomes.

What aspect do you most enjoy about your typical working day?

I enjoy the energy of wonderful people with ideas they want to make happen, and helping to make that happen. The opportunity to serve and to learn from communities is very rewarding. I’m optimistic for New Zealand’s future which comes from the inspiration I’m surrounded by.

Can you share some standout highlights of your time working with the Hynds Foundation and the Business Academy?

In the Business Academy, the greatest joy has been to see young people thrive through transformational opportunities. I consider we have been helping to lead positive educational change, working in partnerships between students, families, teachers, tertiary organisations, businesses, alumni, and community groups. We set activity targets and focused on students making successful transitions from school. It is a different model to traditional measures in a high school – which is, ‘did the student attend regularly and achieve NCEA Level 3?’ (Though we wanted to see that too.)

As we scale the Business Academy, we can draw on this impact model. I am happy that the mahi continues. In this new role, a highlight is to be fully part of Hynds and able to serve a wider stakeholder group. The family’s dedication to a big vision assures me that there will be more highlights to come from my work life. I’m only in my first year, but the highlight has been to engage with artists and the Gillies team to launch the Crucible Artist Residency programme in Ōamaru. This support of creativity, through enabling artists, is a dream-come-true and it’s exciting to see how artists have responded to the opportunity.

What does life outside of the Foundation look like for you?

I enjoy quiet time but the things that feed my soul are occasions when family is around. My partner and I love to be around nature and the ocean, and travelling is a go-to tonic.

If you’d like to sign up to receive our next Impact Report, please contact Leanne Gibson.