Dr Christine Clark
As well as Chief Executive Christine is also the Founder of Kalandra. Christine is a Registered Nurse and achieved her Doctoral Studies in Aged Care. She is a past board member and Chair of Neuro Connection, a foundation assisting in the rehabilitation of people with neurological conditions. She also lecturers in Health Management Studies for an MBA programme. Christine is responsible for the vision and strategic leadership of the organisation especially developing the relationships to enable the direction of Kalandra.
Alexandra Clark
Alex has several years’ experience in independent provision of education including development of resources. Alex is a Registered Nurse and is undertaking her Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science to bring more validity to the organisation. She is a member of the Governance Board (ex chair)and a member of the Academic Board. Alex is responsible for academic development and performance.
Kelly Clark (Storey)
Kelly has 20 years’ experience in all aspects of administration and managing an independent training organisation. She has a Masters in Tertiary Management. Kelly is responsible for overseeing students’ enrolments, implementing projects and interfacing with government agencies.
Christine Ozich (on leave)
Christine is the Campus Manager and online ‘mum’. She is an excellent communicator, accomplished administrator and draws experience from a variety of industries/positions she’s contributed to in previous years. Christine is responsible for community relationships and pastoral care. She is enthusiastic about the future and the opportunities that will avail themselves to people who care. Christine is also part of the Kalandra Governance Board.
Dr Julia Hennessy - Chair of the Board (2024)
Julia initially trained as a nurse and worked for a number of years in mental health, intellectual disability, community health and aged care. From there she went and worked at Whitireia Community Polytechnic developing programmes and a number of short courses mainly related to the health and social services area. Her next career change came when she took up the role as team leader contacts and relationship management with the Central Regional Health Authority. As a result of the amalgamation of the four RHAs into one she left the RHAs to take up a role with the Ministry of Health as a senior advisor and then managed the mental health and addictions services for a district health board. Returning to education Julia was appointed to the Wellington Institute of Technology where she undertook a number of senior roles and subsequently she was President of Auckland Institute of Studies.
Julia completed her Diploma of Nursing at Wellington Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education with Victoria University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Service Management and a Master of Management (Health) through Massey University and a PhD through AUT. She has been on a number of national committees related to workforce development and was instrumental in developing the national certificate for mental health support workers. Julia was a Ministerial appointment to the Nursing Council of New Zealand, is a Trustee on the Funeral and Embalming ITO, and a national moderator for the funeral and embalming industry. Julia has also been contracted to a number of international organisations examining health care. Julia is an active researcher with a number of publications to her name.
Professor Sharon Brownie
Professor Sharon Brownie is an experienced health and social service executive with extensive leadership and policy development experience. In addition to her health and educational qualifications, she is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has experience across the health, education, economic development and employment sectors. Her global perspective have developed through her work in Australia, New Zealand, East Africa, Fiji and the Middle East. Her leadership roles have included significant capacity building, workforce development, business growth and change management mandates. While in these roles she has actively maintained practice with nursing licensure in each setting in which she has worked.
Sharon has a strong background in community engagement with proven expertise in partnership with professional entities, industry stakeholders and government both nationally and internationally. She has consistently demonstrated skills in both strategic engagement and the detailed complexities of day-to-day operational management.
She is passionate in her belief that quality health and education services should be available to everyone irrespective of their location or socioeconomic circumstances. Thus she has worked in various rural and remote contexts improving service quality and access for marginalized and disadvantaged people. She excels in roles with a stated strategic intent to build strong and sustainable social, educational and economic conditions that improve community wellbeing and enable populations, communities and families to thrive and grow.
Catherine Cooney (MNZM)
Cathy is the Director of Kowhai Health Associates, a health consultancy company established 2012. She is a Registered Nurse and Midwife, with a background in governance, health sector leadership, executive management, public health nursing and community development. She is a Fellow and President of the Aotearoa Branch of the Australasian College of Health Service Management; Chair of interRAI NZ Leadership Advisory Board; Independent Facilitator Kaiāwhina (non-regulated) Workforce Plan; a member of NZ Institute of Directors; a Fellow and Censor of the College of Nurses, Aotearoa. Cathy was also the Chair of Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology from 2016-2022.
With a deep involvement in her home community of Rotorua and a particular interest in supporting people being as well and as independent as possible Cathy was drawn to the vision statement of Kalandra Education Group which is centred on improving the life of the vulnerable person.
In 2021 Cathy received an MNZM award for her contribution to health services and the community.
Last updated: 9 April 2024
