I am new to the Parafed family, becoming a member of the board September 2022. I have been aware of their activities and their strong presence within the Waikato community for several years through a family friend. This awareness sparked an interest in myself joining the Parafed organization in a capacity where I can add benefit. I have 25 years’ experience in Human Resources, my professional experience spans from working with international companies, providing HR services in multiple markets across Europe and APAC. I have also set up my own HR Consultancy, working with local businesses (DHB- Tauranga, Parkable – Auckland), and currently hold the position of EVP Talent, APAC and Global Projects, Zeno Group.

I am a married mother of four children, the youngest being diagnosed autistic prior to his second birthday, thus starting my journey exploring the special needs of children. His diagnoses, kick started my interest in gaining a deeper understanding of Autism and the hurdles he may need to contend with in the future and the ways I can support his overall development. I have witnessed first-hand how physical activities is a springboard to supporting a child with disabilities, by making friends, gaining skills as well as confidence.

I love the outdoors, and anything sports related, especially when it involves anyone of my four children. I believe the injection of sports in the lives of all children is an essential ingredient to a quality of life that all children can benefit from. The Parafed team does such a great job facilitating sporting opportunities for people with disabilities and I love that I now can support them in continuing to do such a great job for the people of the Waikato.

I am privileged to have been voted on the board this year.

I currently work for the Perry Group and help with the administration and financial requirements of Parafed Waikato.

I have been in this support role for five years now.

During this time we have moved to the Xero accounting package and improved our membership database.

I’m keen to support the board as it implements its new strategic plan and works towards a dedicated Parafed Waikato facility.

I’m a dad of a couple great kids. Ava is a young teenager and a triple amputee.

I am keen about youth participation and, because of Ava’s interests, I am interested in wheelchair tennis and swimming.

By watching Ava attend a couple of the Junior Disability Games in the past, I have observed that her being part of a team and included has meant a lot to her (and to us, her family).

I would love to help develop the inclusion of many more young people from our region to share in the great opportunity that sport brings to all.

I have worked in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry for the last 30 years in a range of positions, from technical support through to sales and management.

In the past I have been involved in assisting apprentice competitions and involved in the national refrigeration organisation for the last 20 years.

Nan Jensen is a lawyer in sole practice who specialises in Disability Law. She lives in Hamilton with her husband and their dog. Nan is autistic and so are two of her four adult children. She decided to study law after taking a successful arbitration case against the Ministry of Education to retain ORRS funding for her son.

Nan is on the Altogether Autism Advisory Group, the Steering Committee of Auckland Disability Law, the EGL Waikato Core Group, and she is a director of Spectrum Care Limited and of her law firm, Better Lives Legal Limited. She has been a support person for Parent to Parent for many years.

Nan has been running workshops about Disability Law for disabled people and their families as well as professionals since 2011.  She is also a Director of The Disability Trustee Limited, a company that provides independent Trustee services for family trusts that have a beneficiary with a disability.

I’m proud to be a Para cyclist representing New Zealand on the world stage. I’ve been involved in sport from a young age and found my passion on two wheels after trying many different sports. I was born with bilateral talipes (club feet), but I’ve never let that define what I can achieve—on or off the bike.

I’ve had the honour of competing at the Paralympic Games and have represented Aotearoa at multiple UCI Para-Cycling World Championships, where I’ve won medals on the track in multiple disciplines. In 2024, I became a world champion and set a new world record in the
Men’s C3 1km Time Trial.

Outside of sport, I’m studying Accounting, I’m passionate about advocating for young people with disabilities and showing them what’s possible through sport. Being a part of Parafed Waikato is an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape my journey—and I’m excited to support the next generation of athletes.