The Team

Joanne Baird
Manager

I started at SuperGrans Manawatu in 2015 as One on One Co-ordinator and was promoted to Manager in 2019. I have a background in occupational therapy and family support work. With a passion for positive skill-passing and a firm belief in intergenerational mentoring I feel very privileged to work for this wonderful organisation. It is a pleasure to get to know the highly skilled mentors who volunteer for us and I enjoy finding new ways to utilise their skills while meeting the needs of our Manawatu community.

Robyn Stinson
Administrator

I moved to the beautiful Manawatu around 26 years ago and most of my previous employment has been at Massey University.
I have been the administrator at SuperGrans since 2019, and every day here is a learning day! I never cease to be amazed by the big hearts and innate kindness of the volunteers and feel very fortunate to work for this organisation.

Cynthia Landa
Service Co-ordinator (Workshops)

Originally from Peru, Cynthia brings with her a range of experience from numerous community organisations where she has previously worked with people with special needs, parents and migrants.
As Service Co-ordinator of the workshops, Cynthia liaises with our volunteers and community organisations as well as organising all the different workshops we provide to the community. Cynthia strongly believes in the philosophy and ethics of SuperGrans and feels very privileged to work with a bunch of skilled and dedicated volunteers who make the organisation what it is today.

Fiona Cain
Service Co-ordinator (One on one)

Fiona is originally from the UK and has been in Palmerston North since 2016 and has worked in the community with a particular passion for working with people with refugee backgrounds. Taking from experience as a volunteer in different countries Fiona greatly respects and values volunteers and loves working with the mentors and the team at SuperGrans.
As Service Co-ordinator of the one on one service, Fiona manages the volunteers and the clients; assessing needs, matching clients with a suitable volunteer, and providing ongoing support and supervision.

The Governance Board

Brian Ross-Murphy
Chairperson

Gail Jensen
Treasurer

As a Grandmother herself to two grandsons, one with special needs, Gail understands the importance of family and ongoing support. Gail is passionate about helping younger generations by passing on her knowledge. Recently retired as a Mortgage Adviser, she has helped many young people achieve their dream of home ownership over the past 20 years. As a trustee of Super Grans, Gail sees this opportunity as a way of helping families learn important life skills through mentoring and attending the ongoing classes offered by Super Grans Manawatu.

Apryl Cadman
Board Member

Apryl is a Registered Legal Executive at the Manawatu Community Law Centre. Apryl finds working for a community organisation extremely rewarding as her role involves helping people and organisations which may not otherwise have access to legal services.
Apryl hopes her legal knowledge will assist in the great work that SuperGrans achieves.
During her free time Apryl enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with family and friends and rest home visits with her dogs “Elliot” and “Frankie” who are volunteer members of Canine Friends.

Kathriona Benvie
Board Member

Kathriona has been a Super Grans mentor with since 2014 and a Board member since 2017. Although she works casually as a radiographer and as a First Aid Instructor with New Zealand Red Cross Kathriona still finds time to volunteer. She is actively involved with Neighbourhood Support, Age Concern and St Matthews Church. Kathriona has a passion for enhancing connectedness in our community. This includes the sharing of skills, improving communication and building resilience and confidence with other people. She enjoys mentoring in cooking and gardening at SuperGrans, passing on skills she learnt from her own family.

Alana Blair
Board Member

After a teaching career spanning 40 years, I am now involved with a range of different community groups in PN.  I have been a volunteer with SuperGrans since 2014, mostly involved in one-on-one mentoring.  I enjoy volunteering with SuperGrans and find the people that I work with quite delightful. There is certainly great satisfaction in sharing someone’s journey as they learn new skills.  As a Board member I look forward to supporting the organisation to grow and succeed in a community that requires our support.

Jessica Jin
Board Member

Born and raised in China, Jess came to New Zealand in 2013 to study at Massey. Since graduation, she has worked in lending, insurance, and now she’s working in regulatory services. After living in Palmerston North for over 7 years, Jess believes it’s time to give back to the community here. Jess is a board member at SuperGrans Manawatu since the beginning of 2021. She’s also a volunteer at MASH Trust where she works with people with disabilities on a regular basis. In her free time, she enjoys music and she’s a health and fitness enthusiast.