Meet our wonderful staff
 | Kitty McKinleyI am the current leader of Challenge 2000. I also began Challenge 2000 in 1988 as a local youth initiative to support young people to develop and achieve their potential. Prior to this I had worked for a NGO that provided a wide range of youth and family services, work schemes for the long term unemployed, programmes in prisons, community based group and individual programmes. I have also had a part time life as an organisational consultant working with both government departments and private companies. I did not expect Challenge to reach twenty one years of age! But here we are and here I am! |
 | Bridget RocheKia Ora! I’m Bridget. I have been working at Challenge for 3 years and I have been involved in youth and social work in both statutory and community agencies for about 15 years. This year I have the privilege of stepping into the role of Director of this amazing and unique organisation. Challenge 2000 plays a vital role in our community, walking alongside young people, families and communities to encourage growth and transformation. The young people, families, staff and volunteers that I meet each day are an inspiration to me! I love being part of this place and part of the dream for a healthy and just community, nation and world. |
 | James van SchieHi, I’m James van Schie. I was lured to New Zealand from Australia by my wife and have spent the last 3 years adapting to the weather! I was easily convinced to join Challenge 2000 after observing the outstanding work this agency does. My role as the projects and business manager for involves a variety of work. All of it supports our aim to be a professional, innovative, passionate Youth Development, Community and Family Work agency. |
 | Judith McGinley OPKia ora. Here at Challenge 2000 my name is usually Jude or Sister Jude and it has been my joy to be part of this life-giving, hope-filled place for the past eight years. It is a privilege to work with and alongside generous, inspirational people. A fifth generation West Coaster and a Dominican Sister for more than forty years I have spent much of my previous life in various roles in the south island, Auckland and Vanuatu. At Challenge I am community worker, teacher, gap-filler and friend. Challenge 2000 is an ever-old / ever-new sort of place to belong. While there are always exciting new projects and adventures on the boil, we are faced daily with the harsh results of poverty and injustice in ordinary people's lives. What I love most of all is to watch new generations of young people learning to see the world with new eyes and respond to their inner voice calling them to make a difference in our world. |
 | Sister Connie Hurley RNDMI am a Sister of Our Lady of the Missions and have been involved in Education all my Religious life. I have a Diploma in teaching (NZ), a diploma in Religious Education (Mt Oliver, Dundalk), and a diploma in Sacred Sciences (Regina Mundi, Rome). For the past 11 years I have been privileged to be a Volunteer Worker at Challenge 2000. My passion is people and their right to dignity and freedom. I do bits and pieces - little missions to free up the full time workers. Above all I am a supportive and affirming presence in the midst of a multi-talented, committed staff. I see myself as a Kuia. "Lord, it is good for me to be here." |
 | Trish DeanI come to Challenge 2000 with a background in legal accounting and I have been a volunteer with Challenge 2000 since the beginning in 1988. I have been involved in leading parish youth group activities and have been a member of the Pastoral Development team in the Johnsonville Parish. I was delighted when the opportunity to work at Challenge 2000 became available in March 21. I am thrilled to be part of a hard-working team who has the interests of young people and families at heart. |
 | Bridget MasoeHi, I originally hail from the Garden City, Christchurch, but had spent many years living in Auckland until moving here to Wellington! I've always wanted to work where I could directly or indirectly help people, and Challenge 2000 is an amazing place where we are able to do wonderful things for the people in the community. |
 | Felise So'oaTalofa Lava, I have been at Challenge since 2001 and am a full time youth worker. My days are filled with a variety of adventures with a variety of people! I mentor individual young people, I work with the students at the Challenge 2000 College and help out at retreats and camps. I also do a lot of community work like building, fixing, gardening, moving and other missions. |
 | Heath HuttonBA Victoria University Kia Ora, my name is Heath Hutton and I have a degree in psychology from Victoria University. After spending last year in Sydney doing casework with young people in the Western suburbs, it's great to be back in Wellington and part of the Challenge whanau again. I've been involved with Challenge since I was a teenager and it's exciting to see the organisation grow and develop over the years. It has also been great to see many of the young people involved with Challenge grow and develop into young men and woman - it continues to give me hope for a more inclusive, welcoming, tolerant and supportive society. I'm looking forward to the challenges of my new role as the coordinator of the Supported Bail program. I'm excited about the possibilities of this program and the young people involved in it. I also look forward to working alongside the outstanding and enthusiastic team we have here at Challenge. |
 | Jamie Brock¡Hola! My name is Jamie and I’m all the way from Ohio, USA. Newly arriving to beautiful New Zealand, it has been both an adventure and a new opportunity to learn about an amazing country and the people in which make it unique. I have been fortunate to find a place in the Challenge 2000 whanau as a Social Worker. After studying the Social Welfare system in both The United States and Mexico, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Spanish in 2004. Since then, my journey has taken me to explore the various systems and people in the U.S., Mexico, Korea and even to the bottom of the world, Antarctica, where I spent two austral summer seasons. Through these experiences, I have followed my passion of encouraging youth and all individuals to strive towards personal excellence. |
 | Manisha JobardHi my name is Manisha Jobard and I am originally from India and have been brought up in Aotearoa since I was 9 years old. I have a very colourful back ground - I used to work for a reputable logistics company in Auckland and then I was lured into the insurance field which brought me back to Wellington. I started off with Challenge as a volunteer youth worker and became more and more interested in getting a job in the social work field and then they invited me to join up. I have that no one day is ever the same here at Challenge 2000. I am very honoured to work with a team with so much experience and knowledge in this area. |
 | Michele BrookerBSW(Hons) Massey University Kia Ora, My name is Michele and I am a social worker at Challenge 2000. I am originally from Levin, but have spent a few years living in a number of places around Aotearoa, while I completed my studies at Massey University. I have been connected with Challenge 2000 since 2009 and during that time I have had a number of different roles and opportuntities thrown my way. I am very proud to be part of the team at Challenge 2000. I consider myself very priviledged to have the chance to walk alongside such amazing young people every day. Their resilience, determination and vision is truly inspiring! |
 | Nina NessBA Family and Community Studies and a Post Grad Dip in Social Work from Otago University. Kia Ora I am the MASSiSS (Social Worker in Secondary Schools) coordinator and my partner Alex and I recently had our first child Benni Rose, so I am currently working from home. I have been working at Challenge 2000 for five years since the completion of my social work degree at Otago in 2004, except for a 6 month break in Brisbane Australia where I worked in Foster Care. My passion is social work and social change and I enjoy working with young people who show such spark, determination, enjoyment and resilience! |
 | Therese KyneKia ora, I’m Thérèse and I am new to the Challenge staff in 2012. Last year I had a super time on the Gap Year programme and decided to continue to help out as a Youth Worker. Day to day it is awesome to work with talented young people and alongside a great team. I love how not one day is ever the same and that there is always something to be learnt around Challenge. It is such a privilege to work at a place where our mission isn’t just a job but something to live by. |
 | Carla VincentKia ora, I am Carla. I hail from the great East Coast of the North Island, belonging to both Te Arawa and Rongomaiwahine. I have a beautiful daughter and a large extended ever-growing whanau. I have been associated with Challenge 2000 for 10 years. Currently I have the privilege of being the MASSiSS Social Worker at Mana College. For Me, Challenge 2000 is about the faces of the young people whom we serve. To make a difference in their lives, to show them a pathway of hope and to be a signpost of a better future is why I work at Challenge 2000. |
 | Lynley GodissonKia ora, I'm Lynley. I joined Challenge2000 as a MASSiSS social worker at Bishop Viard College at the end of 2011. I love the heart of Challenge2000 and feel privileged to be part of a place that is compassion in action, a vibrant place that believes in and supports young people to be all that they can be. I am excited to be part of such a great team. I hold a Diploma in Counselling , and have worked as a musician and teacher. I am a Mum to two delightful boys, Tully and Rimu (17 & 12). |
 | Viv CampbellKia Ora! My name’s Viv Campbell born in Taranaki o Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Te Whiti Ahi Kaa. Whanau are very much a huge part of my life, one which I treasure deeply - and growing up in family of eight there was never a dull moment. I’ve worked with young people in a variety of roles from working residential settings, to supporting young people with mental health and drug and alcohol issues, teaching life skills in schools, student advocacy and now MASSiSS Social Worker in Porirua College. I’m stoked to be part of the Challenge 2000 team, to be surrounded by so many people who have so much to give. I love the vibe and the passion the team has and the variety of skills and experience that everyone has to offer. |
 | Sally BlacklerI'm Sally Blacker, Social Worker for the Youth Development Unit South which runs the Limited Service Volunteer Programme(LSV). I studied Social Work at Massey University, Palmerston North and graduated in 2008. Foremost I am a mother of two darling teenages, Hemi & Aniwa. I am honoured to work for Challenge 2000 as their good work has blessed many young people's lives. I am passionate about working with young people and my role as social worker allowes me to experience many special things. Kia Kaha. |
 | SaoirseHi, I'm Saoirse (said Seersha). In Irish, my name means "freedom". I'm Challenge's mascot and different people have different views of me. What's important to me though, is that young people love having me around, and I really like playing cricket, softball and touch with them. I also enjoy picking up all the food they leave behind in the garden and in the kitchen. |
