David Passell, Founder of Better Blokes
He has a background in adult teaching, grief facilitation, remedial body therapies and is registered as a Living Without Violence Programmes Facilitator. Sporting interests: Rugby Northland Juniors , Martial Artist of the Year Dunedin 1992 First Dan ITF Tai Kwon Do. Completed IPS training 2018. Dave has been a long-term proponent and practitioner of peer support since the establishment of Better Blokes. He has personally helped numerous men overcome trauma and live fulfilling lives. To ensure this very successful programme can reach more people he initiated and helped develop the facilitator training programme. Prior to this he developed the Twenty Four topic programme inspired by the international work of Mike Lew.
Bryan Spondre, B.V.A , NZCE Electrical –
utilises project design and management skills acquired from a career in engineering and visual design to provide creative solutions to small businesses and Non-Governmental Organisations ( NGO). He is passionate about ensuring that systems work for people and they achieve the best outcome for the organisation. He has successfully trained non-technical users to work comfortably and competently with new systems. He completed IPS training in 2018.
Colin Cross B.A., DipTchg, CELTA.
After qualifying as a teacher in New Zealand he went on to teaching in New Zealand and overseas. During this time, he was Head of Social Sciences Pastoral Advisor for Year 10 and counsellor to individual students. He subsequently had a successful business career and his passion for personal development attracted him to consulting to Better Blokes in the areas of strategic development. He contributed his skills in pedagogy to developing the five-day training course in peer support.
Kris Goodenough Chair Better Blokes –
Kris has twenty years experience in senior executive management positions covering a wide variety of industries, business types and sizes, both corporate and privately owned, public and private sector. Leader of people and promoter within cultures of change to enable continuous improvement at both an organisation level, and through all stakeholders in a sector value chain. Proactive manager of risk. Executive team member, board level reporting and led development and roll out of supply chain services for all Northern region DHB’s and provided leadership in developing a national solution. Extensive involvement in governance groups within DHBs and across national groups.
Jorgen Knudsen Board Secretary Better Blokes –
I was born and educated in Denmark and after arriving in New Zealand in my mid twenties worked in Customer Services management in the computer, medical imaging and cellphone industries. Started my second career in Mental Health Support work 2003, currently working for ADHB in the Taylor Centre Community Acute Service as a CSW. Obtained a degree in Psychology 2011, am married and a proud grandfather.