The Team
Meet the Team
We have an awesome team behind E Tū Tāngata. Each one of them is helping to shift culture by bringing their wealth of experience, knowledge and passion.
Jay Geldard
E Tū Tāngata Co Founder
Chief Executive Officer/Pou Arataki
Jay has been involved in youth work since 2003 and is passionate about young people, their families and the communities they live in. He led 24-7 YouthWork for over 10 years and is an influential leader and strategic thinker. Jay is not one to walk away from challenges and flourishes on seeking solutions for impossible tasks. This leads to many whiteboard sessions as he loves to approach problems from an alternative perspective.
Jay is the Co Founder of E Tū Tāngata and is working with an amazing team to develop and implement this movement. Jay is excited to see how E Tū Tāngata can be utilised across New Zealand to create a culture where we stand together rather than pull each other down.
Jay is big in stature (6ft 8) but also carries a big heart for this nation. He is married to Nicky and has three amazing children.
Nicky Geldard
E Tū Tāngata Co Founder
Chief Operating Officer
Nicky has worked in communications and education for the past 20 years. Most recently, she has worked to upskill youth workers to help them best serve the young people in their care; as an ongoing task, Nicky is currently a part of a national panel reviewing tertiary qualifications for youth workers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a major in journalism.
A perpetual student, Nicky has also completed a diploma in teaching and is currently chipping away at another qualification in theology, one paper at a time.
Nicky is intrigued by the formation of culture and the stories that shape us. She sees Tall Poppy Syndrome as a dominant narrative in Aotearoa; and it’s not a story worth repeating. E Tū Tāngata provides us with the unique opportunity to choose a different path so that, instead of pulling people down, we can affirm each person’s intrinsic worth. And that’s a story Nicky is keen to share with her own kids as well as the generations to come.
Kerrie-anna Tana
Cultural Advisor/Pou Tuarongo
He uri nō Te āti haunui a Pāpārangi, Te Whakatōhea, Tūhoe me Ngāpuhi.
Kerrie-Anna Tana has been working in the education sector for the past 15 years. She has taught te reo Māori at the University of Canterbury, tikanga Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Māori Performing Arts at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
Kerrie-Anna holds a Masters of Māori and Indigenous Leadership and is passionate about all facets of te ao Māori.
As Pou Tuarongo for E Tū Tāngata, Kerrie-Anna offers a te ao Māori perspective over the kaupapa as we endeavour to preserve the cultural integrity of this initiative.
PRISCA PIETERS
E Tū Tāngata Sports Educator/Pou Hākinakina
Prisca is a born and bred Cantabrian who lives and breathes youth work. Prisca studied a Bachelor of Youth Development & Community Studies, and has been part of 24-7 YouthWork for the last six years.
Prisca is passionate about journeying with young people and seeing them reach their full potential. She is also enthusiastic about team sports and sees it as an effective way to impact both individuals and communities.
Prisca has been involved in sports her whole life, in both a player and coach capacity; she has joined the E Tū Tāngata team as our Sports Educator. Her dream is to tackle Tall Poppy Syndrome through bringing E Tū Tāngata into the sports' sector.
Catherine Stanton
E Tū Tāngata Administrator Support
Catherine is our admin go-to and loves the optimistic vibe that E Tū Tāngata stands for. She enjoys working alongside our passionate team. Catherine has a background in administration, accounts and volunteering in healthcare roles, which demonstrates her empathetic and thoughtful side. She has a fantastic thumbs-up attitude!
Catherine is a Cantabrian but has previously experienced life in Auckland and the Nelson regions. With Paul, she has 3 wonderful adult children who have now flown the nest. Catherine’s administrative role provides the necessary support to help this charity move forward, shine and bring positive influence.