Sean Stowers Chief Executive Officer

Sean has been an active contributor to the disability support sector for more than 25 years, in a variety of roles primarily focused on the strategic and operational management of support delivery.

In his drive for social justice, and outcomes that support choice and control for people with disabilities, Sean aims to build on the strong, person-centred foundation upon which Spectrum Care is based, and ensure people with disabilities and their families have a lead role in the design and delivery of a continuum of tailored and sustainable support options.

 

 

Marija Jelesic-Janic Chief Operating Officer

Before joining Spectrum Care, Marija held a variety of senior management roles across the non-profit sector, overseeing intensive mental health, disability, and youth justice services in the community.

In addition to her strong operational background, Marija has several tertiary qualifications, including a Master of Business Studies in HR Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and a Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology and Applied Mental Health.

To her role as Chief Operating Officer at Spectrum Care, Marija brings extensive sector knowledge, proven leadership skills, and a passion for keeping people and their wellbeing at the centre of decision making.

 

 

Jackie Mascall-Young Service Design Strategic Project Manager

Jackie has held a wide range of senior leadership roles in the mental health and disability support sectors both in New Zealand and internationally.

Jackie believes strongly in a person-centred approach and, since joining the Spectrum Care as Service Design Project Manager, has been committed to supporting people to live their lives of choice and ensuring that no one is left behind.

 

 

Regan Herbert Whanau Engagement Lead

Regan began training as a Social Worker in 2009, while also working as disability community support worker. Since then, he's had the opportunity to work extensively with whanau in the Youth Justice sector on varied contracts.

This led to a move into working in community based mental health, where Regan quickly moved into leadership roles.

Joining us in early 2024, Regan has been responsible for establishing the role of Whanau Engagement Lead. He hopes to use this role to ensure the voices of whanau are heard and to create positive systemic change within the organisation.

 

 

Jenna Gundry Service Manager - North West

After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Therapy in 2010, Jenna began working at Spectrum Care as a Community Support Worker. She was soon promoted to a managerial position, where she discovered a passion for mentoring.

Over the past few years, Jenna has turned her focus towards helping ageing people to maintain their independence through the individualised support and fit-for-purpose housing.

Now, as Service Manager for Spectrum’s North West region, Jenna aims to increase access to support and to expand services throughout Northland.

 

 

Saveatama Amerika Wilson Service Manager - Central

Amerika has spent nearly 30 years in a variety of disability sector roles.

In that time, he has gained both a certificate and diploma in teaching people with disabilities, along with an introduction to psychology and sociology and a graduate diploma in not-for-profit management.

As part of the Faiva Ora Leadership Group, Amerika provides advice and support to the Ministry of Health on issues relating to Pasifika people with disabilities and their family members.

He feels he is living his dream of ensuring a best-practice approach is followed in the delivery of support to Pacific people with disabilities and their families.

 

 

Maui Paraki Service Manager - South

Ko Maui Paraki taku ingoa
Ko Mataatua taku waka
Ko Tuhoe taku iwi

Maui joined Spectrum care in 2004 and has worked across the mental health and disability sectors for more than 20 years.

Maui qualified with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, before entering the mental health and disability sectors as a Community Support Worker.

Now a senior manager with Spectrum Care, Maui extended his learning through a long-term relationship with the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation and the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence.

Maui is passionate about developing leadership, working collaboratively and supporting others to realise their potential.

 

 

Piri Rutherford Service Manager - Mahi

Originally from Northland, Piri lived and worked in Australia for a number of years in a variety of support and coordinator roles in the disability sector.

Piri has extensive knowledge of and a passion for inclusion, both in terms of the individual and a focused approach to linking people with their community.

He brings a tertiary qualification in Executive Management and Business Administration from New South Wales Business School and will be looking to utilise this, along with his experience and passion in his role with Spectrum Care.

 

 

Rachel Cooper Service Manager - Wellington Region

Rachel has worked in the social care sector for more than 30 years, starting in her home country of Wales, then onto the USA before settling in Aotearoa in 2003.

After training as a mental health nurse, Rachel went on to work with asylum seekers and youth in the care system, and then moved into running a broad range of mental health clinical and community services. Her strong connections with children and teens with intellectual disabilities in Wellington led to her advocating for the creation of services that make sense for this younger generation as they reach adulthood.

From working to shut down intellectual disability institutions in the 1980s through to setting up new Spectrum services in Wellington in 2018, Rachel's commitment is to listening to what makes a good life for people, and working towards making that happen.

Now as Service Manager for the Wellington region, Rachel is inspired (and occasionally exhausted!) by the amazing young adults supported there who are making their mark in the world, and who constantly challenge her team to keep up with them.

 

 

Ingrid Moody RN Health and Ageing Practice Lead

The role of the Health and Ageing Practice Lead is to provide advice and leadership in relation to the health and wellbeing of people supported by Spectrum Care.

Ingrid brings a deep understanding of peoples physical and psychological health needs, with over 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in the disability sector working as a Behaviour Advisor, Service Co-ordinator and Auditor of Disability Services nationwide. She is a registered Psychopaedic and Mental Health Nurse and is the Branch Secretary of Te Ao Maramatanga -NZ College of Mental Health Nursing

Ingrid’s focus is on ensuring people with disabilities have improved access to health care with a particular focus on an emerging ageing population, ensuring that all people have the best possible health outcomes.

 

 

Darryl Benge Business Lead (Senior User for CRM renewal programme)

Darryl holds a Master’s degree in Social Policy, as well as a diploma in business.

Prior to joining Spectrum, Darryl held the role of training manager with New Zealand’s statutory child protection agency, now known as Oranga Tamariki.

Darryl’s focus is on sustainability, ensuring efficient and effective support provision which realises Spectrum’s Vision, and on building strong relationships with the people we support and their families.

 

 

Sarah Brown Practice Lead Speech-Language Therapy

Sarah began working at Spectrum Care as a Speech Language Therapist in 2020 after completing her Masters in Speech Language Therapy Practice. She is a registered member of the NZ Speech-Language Therapy Association.

Sarah’s role as Practice Lead Speech-Language Therapist is to ensure all people’s communication is supported and valued. The role also includes managing Spectrum Care’s proactive systems to identify and manage swallowing difficulties.

 

 

Caroline McAleese Quality Manager

The role of the Quality Manager is to help an organisation understand both customer expectations and how it is meeting quality standards. This involves ensuring staff know what to do and capturing information about how those things are done and what could be done better.

From a nursing background, Caroline has 20+ years of experience in quality and project management in Auckland DHB and the National Telehealth Service.

Caroline’s focus is on ensuring that staff have the tools and support to always do the right thing for the people being supported. Caroline enjoys sailing, running and dancing.

 

 

Tabatha Murray Service Improvement Manager

Since joining Spectrum Care in 2011, Tabatha has held a number of roles across the organisation, including Community Support Worker, School Holiday Programme Leader and Service Coordinator.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and over ten years’ experience in support and service provision, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her current role as Service Improvement Manager.

Tabatha is passionate about improving individualised service delivery by investing in front line staff, and providing hands-on practical support to improve teams understanding and implementation of evidence-based practice.