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
Education Executive / Pou Mātauranga Matua
Nicky has worked in communications and education for the past 20 years. 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.
Jonny Reid
General Manager / Pou whakahaere
Jonny has a background in finance and not-for-profit governance. He is enthusiastic and passionate about the combination of both, to bring about meaningful change in local communities and beyond. Jonny has degrees in accounting and law, and prior to joining E Tū Tāngata he worked for a number of years in an accounting firm. He also serves on the board of a community youth trust in Christchurch.
In his spare time, you'll find Jonny following a variety of sports, jogging or experimenting in the kitchen.
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.
Serena Morgan
E Tū Tāngata Resource Developer / Pou Waihanga rauemi
Serena is studying Psychology and Education at the University of Canterbury while also being a youth worker and working for E Tū Tāngata.
Passionate about mental health, Serena loves working with young people to develop well-being and resilience. She brings several years of experience in youth work, youth leadership and leadership coordination.
Serena has lots of practice applying the principles of E Tū Tāngata to the educational context and is working on developing resources for the kete, focusing on evidence-based practice.
Outside of work, Serena enjoys staying active, whether on the netball court, hiking the Port Hills, or skiing in the Southern Alps. Her biggest passions are the outdoors, art, and hauora, and she loves when her work combines all of these things.
Cara Stuart
Graphic Designer
Cara takes care of the day-to-day design needs of E Tū Tāngata. Whether is designing a new resource for the Kete, creating diagrams to explain concepts, putting together information packs, you name it, Cara uses her 20+ years of design experience to bring the concepts and ideas to life in a way people can see, use and understand.
Catherine Stanton
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.
Joe Youssef
E Tū Tāngata Board Chair
Joe Youssef is a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience in supporting purpose-driven individuals and organisations. As the founder and director of Tautoko Kaupapa, he excels in helping entities achieve clarity and meaningful scale.
Joe's unique talent lies in his ability to guide businesses and not-for-profit organisations through the critical establishment and scaling stages, ensuring they thrive in a competitive landscape. He is deeply passionate about the mission of E Tu Tangata, believing it has the potential to transform the cultural landscape of Aotearoa.
Joe's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovative thinking empowers communities to embrace their strengths, driving positive change and a more equitable future. His extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication make him a vital asset to any initiative focused on social impact and community well-being.
Junior Tana
Board Member
Junior Tana brings a wealth of expertise from over 15 years of involvement in Māori performing arts, cultural leadership, and education. As Head of School for Iwi Development at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and an esteemed kapa haka performer, tutor, composer and judge, Junior is deeply committed to fostering excellence and authenticity in Māori cultural expression. His journey with E Tū Tāngata reflects his alignment with the kaupapa of empowering communities and building resilience, values he has championed throughout his career.
Junior’s passion for nurturing indigenous knowledge, combined with his skills in cultural leadership, education, and event coordination, positions him as a key contributor to the E Tū Tāngata mission. He sees the focus on strengthening identity and fostering positive change as a natural extension of his dedication to promoting Māori culture and inspiring the next generation of leaders across Aotearoa.
Lyndal Marshall
Board Member
Lyndal is an inspiring leader who helps organisations achieve success and have impact. As a business owner since 2000, Lyndal has implemented E Tū Tāngata Mindset with employees at Smart Membrane Solutions and with customer teams at Value Creators.
E Tū Tāngata aligns with her passion for showing how personal and business values help with decision making to enable people to be proud of their impact, which is deeply embedded in her commitment to creating and inspiring values-driven business practices.
Lyndal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dairy Science and Technology, and is a Member of the Institute of Directors. She has prior governance experience on the Board of Canterbury Hockey, and as Founding President of Waikirikiri Hockey.
Graeme Norman
Board Member
Graeme Norman brings over two decades of experience in education, having held various roles that span from classroom teaching to senior leadership.
As Principal of Te Kōmanawa Rowley School, Graeme has a deep commitment to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. His journey with E Tu Tangata began with a strong alignment to the kaupapa of building character and resilience in young people, values that he has long championed in his educational philosophy.
Attracted by ETT's focus on empowering communities and fostering positive change, Graeme sees this as a natural extension of his work in promoting equity and excellence in education. His skills in strategic leadership, community engagement, and developing educational initiatives will be invaluable in advancing E Tu Tangata's mission to inspire and uplift individuals and communities across Aotearoa.