Meet the Team
Mary Jensen
Managing Director
Mary Jensen (BBS AcED) established Brella Projects Ltd in 2009. Mary has a background in regional development, business, education and communications.
Under her leadership, her clients have grown to successfully launch and implement a number of initiatives across the Waikato and other regions that bring together employers and young people, fostering employment and enterprise. Mary is a Manu Taki of Waikato Wellbeing Project –a Leader for the NEET Youth target to considerably reduce youth unemployment by 2030, particularly for Māori and Pasifika. Brella also specialises in digital, print media, branding and resource development.
Mary has also been a finalist in the NZ Westpac Women of Influence Awards. Mary has a Business Degree and is an Accredited Economic Developer.
Mary Jensen
Managing Director
Mary Jensen (BBS AcED) established Brella Projects Ltd in 2009. Mary has a background in regional development, business, education and communications.
Under her leadership, her clients have grown to successfully launch and implement a number of initiatives across the Waikato and other regions that bring together employers and young people, fostering employment and enterprise. Mary is a Manu Taki of Waikato Wellbeing Project –a Leader for the NEET Youth target to considerably reduce youth unemployment by 2030, particularly for Māori and Pasifika.
Mary has also been a finalist in the NZ Westpac Women of Influence Awards. Mary has a Business Degree and is an Accredited Economic Developer.
Sally Birch
Communications Specialist
Sally has been with Brella Projects since 2012.
After more than 20 years newsroom experience, Sally uses her expertise to effectively communicate the positive messages of organisations contributing to the greater good, including Brella Group clients Smart Waikato Trust, FutureForce® and Waikato Engineering Careers Association.
Communicating with stakeholders and supporters is another key strength – Sally manages Brella Group’s widespread connections to educators, business leaders, iwi, funders, youth, central and local government and families.
Sally Birch
Communications Specialist
Sally has been with Brella Projects since 2012.
After more than 20 years newsroom experience, Sally uses her expertise to effectively communicate the positive messages of organisations contributing to the greater good, including Brella Group clients Smart Waikato Trust, FutureForce® and Waikato Engineering Careers Association.
Communicating with stakeholders and supporters is another key strength – Sally manages Brella Group’s widespread connections to educators, business leaders, iwi, funders, youth, central and local government and families.
Anna Allison
Project Manager & Communications
Anna Allison (BA, Grad Dip Tchg) has a background in farming and education and has been involved with Smart Waikato since its inception. Anna facilitates SSEP in East Waikato and project manages Career Hauora and the endorseMe® Employability Record.
Anna Allison
Project Manager and Communications
Anna Allison (BA, Grad Dip Tchg) has a background in farming and education and has been involved with Smart Waikato since its inception. Anna facilitates SSEP and project manages Career Hauora and the endorseMe® Employability Record.
Maddie Walker
Digital Media & YES Coordinator
Maddie Walker started with Brella in 2020 and is the Regional Coordinator for Young Enterprise Scheme in the Waikato. Maddie works with the team on endorseMe® Employability Record, FutureForce® Careers Hub, Career Hauora with events and digital media.
Maddie Walker
Digital Media & YES Coordinator
Maddie Walker started with Brella in 2020 and is the Regional Coordinator for Young Enterprise Scheme in the Waikato. Maddie works with the team on endorseMe® Employability Record, FutureForce® Careers Hub, Career Hauora with events and digital media.
Kris Anderson
Operations Manager
Kris Anderson has a strong background in business and product development with over 15 years in senior management roles including incorporated societies, charities, community groups, and the NZ Chamber network. Kris has a strong community improvement focus and is Operations Manager for Smart Waikato.
Kris Anderson
Operations Manager
Kris Anderson has a strong background in business and product development with over 15 years in senior management roles including incorporated societies, charities, community groups, and the NZ Chamber network. Kris has a strong community improvement focus and is Operations Manager for Smart Waikato.
Destiny Iraia
Digital Marketer &
Events Assistant
Destiny Iraia of Ngāti Whare joined the Smart Waikato team in 2023 as Digital Marketing and Events Assistant. Destiny helps the team across multiple projects with her skills in graphic design, marketing and events. Destiny has also commenced a Diploma of Business at the University of Waikato as part of a cadetship with Brella.
Destiny Iraia
Digital Marketing & Events Assistant
Destiny Iraia of Ngāti Whare joined the Brella team in 2023 as Digital Marketing and Events Assistant. Destiny helps the team across multiple projects with her skills in graphic design, marketing and events. Destiny has also commenced a Diploma of Business at the University of Waikato as part of a cadetship with Brella.
Monique Aitchison
Marketing Support
Monique Aitchison started at Brella in 2023 in the role of Marketing Support. Monique’s main focus is FutureForce® Careers Hub and she specialises in increasing revenue and interaction across FutureForce® platforms. She is currently in her second year of study at the University of Waikato, studying towards a Bachelor of Communications with a double major in Marketing and Applied Digital Communications.
Monique Aitchison
Marketing Support
Monique Aitchison started at Brella in 2023 in the role of Marketing Support. Monique’s main focus is FutureForce® Careers Hub and she specialises in increasing revenue and interaction across FutureForce® platforms. She is currently in her second year of study at the University of Waikato, studying towards a Bachelor of Communications with a double major in Marketing and Applied Digital Communications.