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YMCA New Zealand Announces New CEO

Friday, 1 November 2013, 3:29 pm
Press Release: YMCA

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

YMCA New Zealand Announces New CEO

YMCA New Zealand announces the appointment of a new National Chief Executive Officer, David Gray.

David has spent the past 14 years as an independent management consultant working in the not-for-profit sector. In this time, he has led projects in governance, strategy, change management, human resources management and finance. The common thread running through all of the projects is a focus on improving organisational performance. Much of his work has been with Māori organisations.

David’s earlier background was in business, including banking with ASB Bank and management consulting with KPMG Consulting. He is also a former CEO of the Waikato/Tainui tribal governance entity. His qualifications are in Māori development and human resources management from the University of Auckland.

Immediately prior to this appointment, David was engaged by YMCA New Zealand in the role of change agent for several months. His brief was to review and reinvigorate the relationships between YMCA New Zealand and its 13 member YMCAs around the country, with a view to improving the effectiveness of the national organisation.

Outside of work, David’s contribution to the community has included governance roles in a number of community organisations, encompassing social services, local economic development and education. He invests much of his leisure time in a wetland restoration and regeneration project on the north Waikato farmlet where he and his wife reside.

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Paul Le Gros, National President of YMCA New Zealand, says the organisation is thrilled to have David on board. “We believe David has the right mix of leadership skills, business experience and personal empathy to lead YMCA New Zealand and to consolidate the changes that have been made in recent times.”

David is delighted to have been appointed. “From the moment I came into contact with the organisation, I have been captivated by its rich history, its reach into every corner of New Zealand society, and its immense potential to impact kids, families and communities for the better. It’s an understatement to say I feel privileged to be joining the organisation and to have been given the responsibility of leading such a fine group of New Zealanders.”

David will divide his time between the YMCA National Office in Wellington and an office at YMCA Auckland.

ENDS

YMCA

Building strong kids, strong families and strong communities

The Y has been in New Zealand for over 168 years, building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. There are 48 Y centres across New Zealand.