Youth Development Peak Body on the search for new CEO
The Board of Ara Taiohi, the peak body for youth development, has announced that Executive Officer Anya Satyanand will
leave the role in August 2018.
Ara Taiohi will begin recruiting for a new Executive Officer (EO) immediately, to enable a nationwide search and allow
time for a smooth transition.
Anya Satyanand took up the role of EO of Ara Taiohi in July 2015. In those three years, membership has increased
significantly and several initiatives have been launched including Korowai Tupu – the professional association for youth
workers;Takiwā – a unique data visualisation tool; and the Rainbow Competen – for mainstream pro to LGBTIQ young people.
Anya’s leadership in international advocacy and research has seen Ara Taiohi take a lead role in the Commonwealth
Alliance of Youth Worker Associations. Her travels have taken her to Australia, England, Uganda and Sri Lanka. Anya will
finish after Involve2018, the national youth development sector conference in Wellington. She will take up the role of
CEO at The Prince’s Trust New Zealand, a new organisation being established to empower young New Zealanders to
participate in the economy, and which is connected to the international Prince’s Trust network of organisations.
Co-Chair of the Ara Taiohi Board, Dr Elizabeth Kerekere paid tribute to Anya Satyanand’s achievements in the role of EO.
“We appointed Anya with a mandate to transform Ara Taiohi, to move with pace and energy, and to strengthen our
credibility and voice on youth development. Not only has Anya achieved all we asked of her and more, she has done this
with style, grace and imagination.”
“Anya leaves Ara Taiohi in an incredibly strong position. We have a growing membership and we are delivering powerful
initiatives and programmes that are creating real change to directly benefit young people,” Dr Kerekere said.
“Anya leaves a legacy we can all be proud of and she will be sorely missed. As a Board we wish her the very best as we
search for the special someone to take her place.”
Anya Satyanand said it has been a privilege to lead Ara Taiohi, the peak body for youth development.
“It has been a privilege to lead this amazing organisation, and I know that I will always be part of the Ara Taiohi
whānau,” Anya Satyanand said.
“We have achieved so much in the last few years, and I am immensely proud of how the team has broken new ground and
taken Ara Taiohi to the next level.”
“I know the organisation is in great shape to transition to the next leader who is lucky enough to take up the role,” Ms
Satyanand said.
ENDS