My name is Jess Townshend, my two boys hav both attended Mt Pleasant School. One is currently in Year 8 and the other in Year 11. I have always enjoyed assisting school through attending camps, sports and fundraising events, ski trips, PTA committee and helping in the classroom and library.

I have a varied work background, from working in recreation services for local council (specialising in playground upgrades), community and sports event management (Challenge Wanaka, Winter Games, Relay For Life events), through to marketing, quality and health and safety system management work for the civil construction industry. 

I am currently working part-time as a Property Manager and studying. I am known for my hard working and diligent nature, and always seeing a job through to the end. An example of this from event management days have included working 24 hours straight organising events that included managing 400 volunteers into positions and shovelling roadkill off cycle courses in the early hours of the morning before the athletes appeared. 

I am also known for being capable, always up for learning new things and looking at ways to improve systems. This has included representing companies to gain ISO 9001 Quality Management System and Health and Safety System certifications, and learning the skills required to audit projects, processes and management systems. I have governance experience, from sports club roles through to business director. 

Part of my motivation to apply for a Board of Trustee position is to continue to grow my governance skills and knowledge. I hold a Bachelor of Physical Education from Otago University and am currently studying part-time towards a Graduate Diploma in Business Transformation and Change Management at Ara.