Over the past eight months, The Workshop team has grown significantly. Gidion, Tom, Nick, Nicky, Julie, Hannah and Jayne have joined our team, each bringing with them a diverse set of skills and experience. We are excited to see how The Workshop will continue to grow and thrive with an enriched group of people working together across disciplines.
For some of our team, this is a slightly belated introduction. Still, we are excited for you to get to know our newer staff members a little more.
Gidion de Haan, Head of Operations
What were you up to before The Workshop?
I worked for a number of big companies in different roles ranging from projects to senior management. Before I came to New Zealand (ages ago), I worked as a florist in Germany and was a fashion designer back home in Amsterdam. In general, my passion has been doing good and finding ways to make sure companies are their best selves.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
Either hiking in the Tararua forest park or doing a beach clean up with the kids.
What drew you to The Workshop?
The Workshop has a great moral compass and I love working with like minded people. I am looking forward to growing the organisation into its best self.
Tom McDonald, Operations Assistant
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Most recently I worked for Regional Public Health as the Business Support/Child Health Administrator in its Wairarapa office. Prior to that I was the Office Administrator at the NZ Drug Foundation in the throes of the Cannabis Referendum campaign. I have largely worked in not-for-profit spaces since returning to Aotearoa in 2017 following five years overseas.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
It looks very chilled! A sleep in, a bit of brunch on the deck, hanging out with the fur kids. In simpler times, definitely a gig in the evening (hopefully that will be a thing again in the coming months).
What drew you to The Workshop?
Not-for-profit life is the only life for me. I’m here to help The Workshop team do good things for Aotearoa and beyond. The work we do is already so important and it’s only early days!
Nick Beaudoin, Project Manager
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Before joining The Workshop team, I worked as a project manager for a fundraising platform called Funraisin. Prior to that, I worked in the charity sector supporting fundraising for organisations like UNICEF, the Cancer Society, and JustSpeak, where I actually used to work right next to The Workshop team!
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
A nice, long hike with a packed lunch eaten in the bush or on a mountain top, followed up by a pint or two of Wellington’s famous craft beer.
What drew you to The Workshop?
I’m very interested in public policy, politics and history, and I’m excited to be able to apply my project management experience in this field. The Workshop’s values and mission very much align with my own, which was definitely a factor in drawing me in. I look forward to helping projects run more smoothly and efficiently, which will hopefully help alleviate some stress and help us maximise our impact.
Nicola Henderson, Training and Communications Administrator
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Before I joined The Workshop I was working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as an Editor in the Marketing & Business Development Team at IDP Education (Cambodia), a position that I held for four years. Before being appointed to the position of Editor, I worked as a Curriculum Writer at IDP Education (Cambodia) for two years. I spent almost seven years living and working in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, before moving to New Zealand in 2020.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
My ideal Saturday looks like having a sleep in, enjoying a coffee while listening to some music, and then playing tennis at Waikanae Beach Tennis Club in the afternoon (I love tennis!). The next best thing for me is curling up with a really good memoir or biography, prior to enjoying a glass of lovely New Zealand pinot noir in the evening.
What drew you to The Workshop?
I was drawn to The Workshop because of its values and vision, and because I really enjoy working with people whose values align with mine. I feel really excited and fortunate to be putting my research background and skills to good use and also to be more involved in production at The Workshop in 2022.
Julie Fairfield, Senior Narrative Implementation Advisor
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Before I joined The Workshop I led the strategic communications for Healthy Families Hutt Valley. Healthy Families NZ is a Ministry of Health funded initiative in ten locations around Aotearoa. The location teams work collaboratively with local leaders to make the systems that influence our everyday lives and the environments we live in better support our health and wellbeing. My role was to use storytelling and other communications tools to influence change and then celebrate the impact we collectively create.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
My ideal Saturday would start with a cup of tea in bed, followed by a happy mix of spending time with my family sharing in the activities that the kids enjoy (which seem to change weekly). I also enjoy creating yummy food (and mess!) in the kitchen and enjoying time in the garden.
What drew you to The Workshop?
I used The Workshop’s tools and resources in my previous role and understand how they can make talking about the big issues easier and more effective. I’m excited to work with the team and our clients so that together we can create more impact through well researched, effective narratives.
Jayne Dalmer, Senior Narrative Advisor
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Before joining the Workshop, I was a consultant for five years with Write Limited — experts in communication that sounds like it was created by humans for other humans to understand. The work was all about helping writers make complex information crystal clear.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
My ideal Saturday would start with a sleep in, listening to the radio, and a coffee. I might go for a bike ride by the sea, then hang out with any of the kids who are awake and around. I love having no plans, but letting the day unfurl in interesting and creative ways. Then I’d blob on the couch and watch trashy TV. Actually, an ideal Saturday would involve swinging on a hammock in South East Asia somewhere, but that’s another story.
What drew you to The Workshop?
I love the mission and values of The Workshop and am drawn to using evidence to support persuasive communication. I’m thrilled to put my psychology, linguistics, and communication background to good use and to learn something new every day.
Hannah Patterson, Narrative Implementation Assistant
What were you up to before The Workshop?
Before The Workshop I was studying part time to finish off my Law and Media Studies degree at Te Herenga Waka. I was also spending a decent amount of my time writing poems and reading.
What does your ideal Saturday look like?
My favourite Saturdays involve sunshine, being under some trees, getting excited about books in the city libraries (I love the city libraries!), spending time with friends, and rock climbing. Saturdays are most ideal when I manage to fit in some of these things while maintaining a chill vibe.
What drew you to The Workshop?
I feel lucky to be at The Workshop because I get to do work that aligns with my values and work with people who share those values too. So far, it has been really interesting to see how our communication tools can apply across many different fields and social issues. I’m loving the variety of content and I am excited to contribute to making this knowledge accessible to all.