Our Staff
Vision Manawatu has a dedicated and hard working team of professionals.
Elaine Reilly - Chief Executive
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.
Christine Jones - Economic Development Director
Making a difference is the name of the game for Christine Jones, Economic 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.
Mark Maxwell - Economic Development Manager
After growing up in Wellington followed by 8 years in Auckland, Economic Development Manager, 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.
Jacqui Middleton - Operations Manager
Operations Manager Jacqui Middleton was born and bred in Palmerston North so is committed to the success of the region.
She has a NZ Diploma in Business, a Diploma in Human Resources, NZIM Diploma in Management, and over 15 years experience in operations, office management and administration specialising in systems and process management.
With two teenage children Jacqui loves that in Palmy you can have both a successful career and bring up a family in a great environment.
Graeme Beal - Communications Manager
Communications Manager Graeme Beal hails originally from Hawke's Bay and moved to Palmerston North to study, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies and Communications, and in English. Fourteen years later, he's still here, having spent more than a decade as a graphic designer, publications editor and has most recently served the past seven years as a Communications Adviser. Graeme's passion lies in communicating ideas and messages in strategic and innovative ways, and engaging a wide and varied audience through new and emerging technology and multimedia. Graeme divides his time between Vision and Destination Manawatu.
Robin Wood - Many Hats!
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.
Amanda Linsley - Economic Development Officer
Amanda Linsley is Vision Manawatu's Economic Development Officer.
Amanda is delighted to be working with local SME's in our region and enjoys the diversity of her role and the business people that she meets. Her qualifications include BA (Hons) in Applied Economics and Management Accounting, and she was a member of the Institute of Directors in the UK for 14 years.
She also firmly believes in the 'school of life', having previously started, nurtured and sold two of her own businesses.
Emma Wright - Regional Partner Coordinator
Regional Partner Coordinator Emma Wright recently graduated from Massey University with a BBS in Marketing and Management.
She is keen to engage with local businesses and make a positive impact in the Manawatu. She thinks there are heaps of great things to do in the region and likes being right in the heart of the lower North Island.
Emma is getting involved to help grow the support for businesses in the wider region.
Monique Weston - Projects Support
Monique Weston spent most of her career in the recruitment sector and the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce.
This gave her a strong understanding of different industry sectors and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people.
Now working in Projects Support she thrives knowing that each day will have new challenges, the opportunity to develop new skills and meet new people.
Jenny Larsen - Economic Development Cadet
Jenny is the newest addition to the Vision Manawatu team.
Jenny first moved to Palmerston North to study and has recently completed a BBS majoring in Entrepreneurship and Small Business. Now she is keen to get stuck in and is excited about the many opportunities and challenges that working for VM presents.
Jenny is passionate about social enterprise, the community and its sustainable development.
Cara French - Office Administrator
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.
Muriel Eade - Accounts Administrator
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.
