IRIS Executive Team
John Wade
Chief Executive Officer
Qualifications and training.
Master of Business Studies - Massey University
Dip Health Services Management - Massey University
New Zealand Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Diploma in Addiction Studies, CIT.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the health and disability sector as a practitioner, manager and chief executive officer, John combines extensive clinical understanding with astute business knowledge.
Inherent to his management style are John’s personal values that reflect belief in the rights, capabilities, aspirations and potential of people, their families and other natural supports. Nowhere is this demonstrated more clearly than in his commitment to working with Māori and different cultures, based on belief that all approaches are important and add value for people and communities.
Engaging and outgoing, with a great sense of humour, John’s easy personality helps build strong relationships at all levels – from service users and families through to local communities, senior health officials and Ministers of the Crown.
Julie Martin
Service Development Manager
Qualifications and training.
Registered Nurse
Advanced Diploma Nursing
M Phil (Honours)
New Zealand DHB Senior Leadership Course
Project Management Training
Certificate in Business Excellence.
Julie has 15 years’ experience in health and disability services, including more than 10 years at a senior management level. She has worked in the areas of funding and provider services.
Currently, Julie manages all IRIS services and also holds IRIS’s quality and risk management portfolio. Julie led the implementation of the person-centered planning philosophy and practice at IRIS. Her experience also includes project management – including a national role as project manager in the Change Management Team for the Health Funding Authority – and more than 15 years in change management.
Optimistic and enthusiastic – and with a great sense of humour and “can do” attitude – Julie enjoys a challenge and being actively involved in new experiences.
Francois Schoeman
Business Capability Manager
Qualifications and training
B Com Hons (Human Resources Management)
HRINZ member Organisational Development
Extensive training in: Career Management, Leadership, Arbitration and Conflict Handling, Change & Project Management
Francois is a highly competent Business Capability Manager who builds successful relationships with business partners and employees at all levels. He has held various HR leadership roles over the past 15 years and is a competent leadership programme facilitator and coach at all levels.
Francois thrives on helping others and working alongside people, and is an analytical thinker whose competencies encompass a wide range of areas.
Dean Kelly
Business Development Manager
Qualifications and training
MA New Zealand Social History, The University of Auckland
Extensive training in: Business Marketing and Promotion, Sales Strategies, Key Account Management and Customer Relations.
Dean has made a speciality of forging partnerships and alliances within both the New Zealand corporate and social enterprise environments. As a result, he has extensive knowledge of the New Zealand market and the importance commercial relationships play in the modern business arena.
With over 15 years experience in sales and marketing, Dean is passionate about the IRIS brand and the work IRIS does in the community. Gregarious and fun loving, Dean is of Māori (Te Arawa) descent and has a natural affability that embraces all backgrounds and beliefs.
Carol Gilbertson
Finance Manger
Qualifications and training
Chartered Accountant
Carol has expertise in financial management and administration acquired over more than 20 years of working at senior management level in various industries.
This background has given her a deep understanding of costing and feasibility analysis, budgeting, forecasting, database functionality, investment decisions, financial internal and external reporting. She provides financial advice and guidance to Iris Ltd’s managers. She has extensive experience with databases, system implementations and maintenance.
Carol leads a team of six who perform the financial and IT functions for IRIS including payroll, creditor payments, invoicing and debtor management, financial reporting, IRD compliance; IT supply and support; mobile phone and land line support and monitoring; vehicle supply and property maintenance for the organisation.
She is well-liked by her team because of her positive down-to-earth nature, sense of fun and willingness to always go the extra mile.
IRIS is an Approved Training Organisation for the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Paula Polkinghorne
Iris Support Manager
Qualifications and training
NZ Diploma of Occupational Therapy
NZ Health Department Management Leadership Programme
Extensive training in: Accrual Accounting, Advanced Strategic Negotiation, Foundations of Positive Psychology, Project Management, Organisational Development, Change and Performance Management, Continuous Quality Improvement
Paula has had a variety of strategic leadership and operational positions in her career within health, disability and software development. Paula currently manages IRIS Support which covers the greater Auckland area and employs over 700 Support Workers providing in home support to 1450 clients
Paula's passions are organisational development and systems design that support client outcomes through optimal staff performance. Her interests include reading, gardening, time with friends and family, triathlons and watching sport.
Paula is a trustee of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.
Tina Lock
Iris Community Living Manager
Qualifications and training
Registered General and Obstetric Nurse
Diploma in Business (Finance), The University of Auckland
Deep Quality Workshop
Extensive training in: Project & Risk Management, Leadership Training.
Tina brings diverse knowledge and experience to her role, complementing health sector capabilities with a deep understanding of business.
Her broad range of expertise is the result of 20 years’ practical experience as a registered nurse – including working within the disability sector, 15 years’ experience as a general manager in the private sector, and five years’ experience in operations management in the public health sector and for non-government organisations.
This strong background inspires others on her teams and enables her to make courageous decisions. Always positive, with a reputation for honesty and integrity, Tina is adept at building strong working relationships.
Tina has wide experience in setting up and managing new businesses, including involvement in recruitment and operations processes, and has a strong focus on providing the best outcomes for clients.
Barbara Fox
Iris Rehabilitation Manager/
Person-Centered Training
Qualifications and training
BSc
Professional Degree, Occupational Therapy
NZQA Level 3 and 4, Leadership Development Series
Business Excellence Certification
Extensive training in: Sensory Integration, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Splinting, Positioning, Equipment, Spinal Cord Injuries, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Crisis Intervention, Wrap Around Philosophies, Person-centred Approaches, Strengths-based Services, WRAP and PATH Planning, Multi-disciplinary Approaches.
Barbara manages the busy Rehabilitation Services unit for IRIS and carries out her work with a deeply held belief in the value of each individual. She combines this belief with her knowledge and experience when working with clients and their families / whanau to model person centred values and establish person-centred practice.
Her natural exuberance and cheerful nature is an asset to her role at IRIS, and herability to engage effectively with everyone she comes into contact with, especially clients and families, makes an enormous contribution to our service delivery.
Annie Angus
Quality and Outcomes Leader
Qualifications and training
Psychopaedic Training Officer
Graduate Diploma in Business Studies
Certificate in Business Excellence
Extensive training in: Project Management, Quality Tools Training, Cross-service Audit Workshop, New Zealand Incident Management, Health Advocates’ Trust Code of Rights, Effective Facilitation, Infection Control, Accident and Incident Reporting.
Annie has worked in the disability sector for the past 20 years, amassing significant knowledge of the disability / healthcare / mental health sector. She works to consistently high standards and is committed to building constructive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders through trust, honesty and reliability.
Annie has a broad knowledge in the theory and practical application of quality tools and systems and has a deep understanding of project management systems. She has excellent facilitation skills and can design effective training packages that meet the needs of learners. Annie is a strong leader who challenges process when appropriate, inspires shared vision, and models the way for others to act.