DATE: 26 March 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
YWCA OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
MEDIA RELEASE
-------------------------
New Executive Officer for Young Women's Group
The Young Women’s Christian Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (YWCA A/NZ) welcomes new Executive Officer Alanna
Irving, co-founder of Loomio.
“Alanna comes to us with an amazing background in social entrepreneurship and operations and we’re incredibly pleased to
have her,” says YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand Co-President Nive Sharat-Chandran.
“I agree,” says Co-President Sina Wendt Moore. “We’re honoured to be in a position to support a new leader for our
organisation, at a time when young women’s leadership is needed to bring about change.”
“Originally from San Francisco, I’ve lived in several different countries before settling in Wellington over six years
ago,” says new Executive Officer YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand Alanna Irving.
“My professional background is a real mixed bag, from working as a translator in Japan, to volunteering in India, to
working in IT in the City of London.
“While I bring skills in business and technology, I'm new to the NGO sector, so I'm looking forward to learning a lot
from the YWCA community.
“I'm so pleased to be coming on as Executive Officer for the YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand and I’m looking forward to
supporting all the amazing work that YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand does,” says Irving.
[ends]
More info on Alanna Irving:
Five years ago, Alanna co-founded Loomio, a decision-making app for groups who want to work collaboratively, and has been active in the social entrepreneurship
space with organisations like Enspiral and Lifehack. Through all these different experiences, community, collaboration, social justice, diversity, and empowerment
(especially for women!) have been consistent themes.
While Alanna gets excited about big ideas, her real passion is operations - all the hands-on practicalities behind
getting things done. Alanna loves optimising processes, facilitating great meetings, and improving communication. See
more details on her website.
About the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand, www.ywca.org.nz:
YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand is part of a global YWCA network spanning 120 countries. The organisation is dedicated to
providing leadership opportunities for young women with a mandate stating 25 percent of its board must be women under 30
years of age.
The YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand supports individual and community change by empowering women, especially young women,
to develop and exercise their individual and collective leadership through enhancing their spiritual, physical, mental
and cultural well-being. We are committed to addressing all forms of oppression, so that women may together attain
social and economic justice.