Vision Manawatu Talent
 Although Chief Executive Elaine Reilly hails from Scotland, she and her family now call Manawatu home. With over 20 years of international economic development experience gained across different agencies in Europe, Elaine is well placed to lead the ambitious team at Vision Manawatu. She founded and ran an award winning business and is well aware of the issues faced by entrepreneurs and business owners. Armed with an impressive array of qualifications BA (Hons) Psychology; MBA; and most recently Accredited Economic Development Professional - AEcD (NZ), Elaine is keen to work with private and public sector alike to shape the future of the region. Elaine, who had never watched a full rugby match before living in New Zealand, is now a staunch fan of the Turbos.
Making a difference is the name of the game for Christine Jones, Business Development Director. Armed with qualifications; as well as being a JP (a double degree in business psychology and media studies and communications, post grad diploma and Masters in management) she has been at Vision Manawatu for five years getting to know everyone in the business community and what makes it all tick. Christine reckons the Manawatu is big enough to do substantial business and small enough to know everyone and the support networks are fantastic. As if that weren’t enough, Christine owns her own businesses and is an active member of the Rotary club of Milson.
 Growth & Investment Director Richard Forgie is also the Tech NZ Regional Technology Partner for Horizons region. A BTech (Biotechnology) graduate from Massey University Richard has also completed the Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Development from AUT. Before joining Vision Manawatu Richard spent 21 years with AFFCO New Zealand Limited and five years with Heinz-Watties Limited, so you could say he is well-seasoned. The Manawatu he says is the best place in New Zealand to educate your children. After having such a great time here as a university student he couldn’t stay away.
 After growing up in Wellington followed by 8 years in Auckland, Economic Development Director, Mark moved to the Manawatu in early 2009. With previous family connections to the region, Mark is excited about calling the Manawatu home and believes it is a fantastic place to deliver life balance. Mark has 20 years experience in the trust industry and has worked across the public, private and community sectors. Mark's broad range of skills and experience are well suited to role as Economic Development Manager. Mark has a passion for the community sector and believes strong economic development underpins improvements in society as a whole.
 Alison Curtis is a lifestyler, just loves her goats. She doubles as Finance & Project Manager for Vision. She has a BBS and 20 years experience in accounting for small and medium businesses. Alison describes her role as challenging and constantly changing. And where else she says, can you work in the city and work in the country at the same time....time for a holiday perhaps.
 Robin Wood has a variety of roles: Manawatu Defence Hub Facilitator; Biz Information Advisor; Business Mentor. After 43 years in the banking and finance sector with experience in lending/funding, human resources, business strategies/planning and marketing his advice is often sought after. And Robin really appreciates the opportunity to be able to impart and pass on some of his knowledge. Why Manawatu? Great place to live and bring up a family.
 Cara French has the distinction of being Vision’s longest serving employee (over 10 years) as the Office Administrator. Although no gold watch was forthcoming, Vision staff value Cara’s ability to know the history of the organisation, what worked and what didn’t, and where, for goodness sake, everything is. Cara reckons working at Vision is great fun, and what better recommendation for staying so loyal.
 Teaching adults and kids to swim might have been perfect preparation for Nikki Mills in her role as Business Service Coordinator. She likes to see businesses latch on to new skills and become more confident. She also likes developing new projects for Vision Manawatu and watching them become self-sustainable. After living briefly in Wellington, Nikki moved to Palmerston North and is finding the opportunity to work in this region very enriching. On the horizon for Nikki is the completion of her BBS in Management and Marketing at Massey University.
 Efficient, that’s Muriel. Muriel Eade is Vision’s Accounts Administrator with a long career in administration. She spent many years overseas with Foreign Affairs and has lived in big cities and on small islands. While not terribly excited about Manawatu’s weather (she did live in the tropics previously) Muriel does like the ease of access across town, good schools, and strategic location for getting other places. Plus, she says, I like the people I work with. All pretty good reasons for being here.
 Holly Thompson is the Executive Officer for the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce. Working mostly with small and medium businesses, helping them network, collaborate and communicate with each other. Holly believes the ease of living in the Manawatu is great, with plenty happening and friendly, enthusiastic people.
 Bronwyn McKinnon is the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce’s Marketing & Membership Manager. Bronwyn spent the past 15 years working in the Plumbing Industry, with the last 4 focusing on managing sales events within New Zealand.
After 8 years in Wellington, Bronwyn returned to Palmerston North, where she was born & bred, to be in a city where ‘you are able to have a career and enjoy family life too’.
Bronwyn is excited about the amazing businesses that are hidden in Palmerston North and the wonderful people that are behind them. Bronwyn believes that the people and good communication are high up on the list of what make a good business.
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