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Dancing with the StarJam Stars; Behind the scenes support

Dancing with the StarJam Stars
Behind the Scenes Support

Dancing with the StarJam Stars

At our monthly gathering at Western Springs on Saturday, we were wowwed by a visit from Aaron Gilmore and Rebecca Nicholson from the “Dancing with the Stars” TV show. After an impromptu ‘haka’ welcome from the Jammers, Aaron and Rebecca demonstrated a cheeky cha cha and then got all our Jammers up on the floor to join in and learn some new hip hop moves.

 
Our very own CoolJam tut or dancing star, Carlene Newell came along and taught us all a great new group dance, helped by new CoolJam tutor, Juanita Jelleyman. Everyone joined in the fun with gay abandonment, filling the room with laughter .
 
You guessed it, everyone wanted to dance with or have photos taken with Aaron and Rebecca .

Move over Paul Holmes!

Thanks so much for coming, Rebecca and Aaron.

 

Behind the Scenes Support

Over the next few newsletters, we are going to give you a peek behind the scenes at the amazing support we receive from so many people and organisations. One chain of support started when the Institute for Strategic Leadership generously offered StarJam’s CEO Julie Bartlett a scholarship to attend a week long Strategic Leadership Course at Millbrook, Queenstown in October 05. Another participant on that course was Carrie Hobson and she launched executive search firm Hobson Leavy last year together with partner Stephen Leavy. When StarJam was the case study for the August 06 session of the Strategic Leadership Course, one of the syndicates got ‘jammed’ and subsequently, together with their coach, Anne Bond, all five have offered their time and expertise to become an advisory group for StarJam’s CEO. There are, no doubt, more links yet to join this chain.

Introducing themselves, here is a little about the Institute for Strategic Leadership, the “Starlight” Advisory Group to StarJam’s CEO, and Hobson Leavy.

The Institute for Strategic Leadership specialises and focuses on developing CEOs, senior managers and highly talented middle managers with CEO potential in business and public organisations. Our objective is to support our clients in building their organisation’s leadership capabilities, to encourage development and innovation, and to assist with change initiatives.

We run our highly renowned Strategic Leadership Programme at the beautiful Millbrook campus in Queenstown, which provides an ideal location for reflection and development. Following attendance at either the Strategic Leadership Programme, or the Leadership Programme for High Potentials we continue to support our clients by providing on-going coaching, facilitating workshops, and with our MasterClass 2-day and ISL MBA executive development programmes. For more information on the Institute and its programmes please visit www.leadership.ac.nz or call or email David Lee (d.lee@leadership.ac.nz), our Client Relations Manager on 09 366 1560.

The Starlight Advisory Group

Greg Lowe, Bill Aubrey and Kevin Burnett behind Zarina Thesing, Anne Bond and Michael Hamid

Bill Aubrey , General Manager, Tenix Alliance, has some 25 years experience in the power industry in New Zealand , working predominantly in the contracting services domain. Bill has a gorgeous 16 year old creative and talented drawing daughter and a handsome 12 year old basketball and rugby playing son. He spends as much time as he can with them and their friends, exploring new things they like to do and going on school camps is particularly rewarding and fun. In addition, Bill is a fishing nut who loves the All Blacks, the Black Caps and the NZ Americas Cup Team.

Anne Bond is the Director of Coaching with the Institute for Strategic Leadership as well as being one of its two founders (yes, she is proud). Anne is an Analytic Psychotherapist by trade and has worked as a Clinical Practitioner as well as an Educator, Business Consultant and Executive Coach for the past 20 odd years. This year Anne has finally succumbed to the bright lights of Auckland and has made her home here after indulging many years in the bracing and beautiful South Island . Having met Julie on one of the Institute’s Programmes, Anne was struck by the importance of the work StarJam was doing. Having had the opportunity to work through the medium of early NZ television and then the stage, Anne was instantly drawn to the concept of Star J am and remains an earnest supporter of Julie, Roy and the Jammers!

Kevin Burnett is a New Zealand Army officer with thirty years service. He is currently resident in Waiouru on the central plateau of the North Island working in the Army’s training organisation. Kevin was jammed during a leadership development workshop in 2006 and is keen to provide support to StarJam in furthering its vision in New Zealand and across the world.

Michael Hamid is the Research and Development Executive for the Gallagher Group, an iconic Hamilton based technology export company. Michael is married with two children, five grandchildren, a cat and a dog. Michael is a keen (some would say obsessive) road cyclist and regularly competes in the Waikato .

Greg Lowe is Managing Director of Beca Australia , leading the operations of the Beca Group of companies on the east coast of Australia . A passionate Kiwi living amongst 4 million supporters of a very funny kind of football in Melbourne, Greg and his family spend their spare time exploring the fascinating attractions of a hot, dry country (with occasional visits home for snow ski-ing, water ski-ing and trout fishing !). Having experienced the hidden talents of a few of the Jammers, Greg offers his support to the growth of StarJam to help take this amazing experience to a greater audience, in New Zealand and beyond.

Zarina Thesing has trained and worked in the ICT Industry for over 17 years. She has held leadership positions with Technology teams and projects that have provided organisations with strategic capability. Zarina has worked for the last 6 years for Pumpkin Patch, as GM, IT. Pumpkin Patch is Australiasia’s leading children’s fashion company, and is increasingly recognised as an international brand representing innovate design and quality product. Whilst not working Zarina enjoys spending time with her husband Paul and daughter Karissa .

Hobson Leavy is an executive search firm that focuses on executive level appointments across all sectors in New Zealand . Hobson Leavy also offers complementary services such as non-executive director search, talent retention consulting, talent benchmarking, individual due diligence reports and remuneration reports. At Hobson Leavy we feel giving something back to the community that supports us is not just optional, but essential. Each of our Principals is personally involved in giving their time to community organisations.
Carrie Hobson was previously Chief Executive of the St Joseph ’s Mercy Hospice Foundation and remains closely involved in fundraising for the Foundation as well as giving her time to the Hospice itself.

Stephen Leavy is on the Board of Trustees for the First Foundation and also participates as a mentor in the First Foundation Volunteer Programme, helping young New Zealanders achieve their potential. In addition we also commit to undertaking a number of pro bono executive searches each year for community organisations, giving our time and skill free of charge to ensure these entities can identify and attract talented individuals who will contribute to the organisation’s ongoing success.

One recent example we are particularly proud of is the recently appointed Programmes Manager Sheryl Takayama who joined StarJam to expand the very popular Talent Expansion Programme known as CoolJam.

Principal Carrie Hobson is also a graduate of the Institute for Strategic Leadership.

On behalf of all the Jammers who benefit from all your support, thank you so very much.