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.
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.
Anna Allison
Project Manager and Communications
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.
Kiri Jones
Work Readiness Coach
Business Partnerships
Kiri joined the team 2024 bringing 20 years of business development experience and relationship and stakeholder engagement at a national level across many industries.
Kiri is one of the drivers behind the new SPAN Boost initiative at Smart Waikato bringing a passion to connect and transition our young rangatahi into meaningful work and reducing youth unemployment.
Born and bred in the Waikato, Kiri cares immensely about helping people at a disadvantage in practical ways, with a particular personal connection to those with disabilities.
Destiny Iraia
Digital Media Lead
Destiny Iraia of Ngāti Whare joined the Brella team in 2023. Destiny works across multiple brands initiatives including FutureForce® Careers Hub, WECA and Smart Waikato, with her skills in graphic design, video editing, web design and illustration.
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.
Tiana West
FutureForce® Careers Hub and Events Coordinator
Tiana West joined the Brella team in 2024 as an intern while completing a Bachelor of Business at The University of Waikato. Upon graduating, Tiana now works across FutureForce® Careers Hub and Smart Waikato coordinating marketing, social media, sales and events.
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.
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
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.
Kiri Jones
Kiri joined the team 2024 bringing 20 years of business development experience and relationship and stakeholder engagement at a national level across many industries. Kiri is one of the drivers behind the new SPAN Boost initiative at Smart Waikato bringing a passion to connect and transition our young rangatahi into meaningful work and reducing youth unemployment.
Born and bred in the Waikato, Kiri cares immensely about helping people at a disadvantage in practical ways, with a particular personal connection to those with disabilities.
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 Media Lead
Destiny Iraia of Ngāti Whare joined the Brella team in 2023. Destiny works across multiple brands initiatives including FutureForce® Careers Hub, WECA and Smart Waikato, with her skills in graphic design, video editing, web design and illustration.