The R. Tucker Thompson Sailing Trust has appointed Jo Lynch as Chief Executive.
Jo brings extensive senior leadership experience in adventure tourism, marketing and management, and has a strategic focus for the not-for-profit trust. As a young girl, Jo watched the launch of the R. Tucker Thompson from the beach in Mangawhai in 1985. Over 36 years later, Jo has returned as kaitiaki to lead the organisation, the ship, her people and the project into the future.
Of Ngāti Wai, Ngati Whatua and European descent, Jo has returned to Northland from Wānaka, where she had a long career in the snow sports industry. Her previous roles include Business Manager for Snow Sports NZ, General Manager of Snow Farm, New Zealand’s only cross-country ski resort, and senior manager at Treble Cone ski resort. She worked directly with youth, both as a volunteer crew member with the Spirit of Adventure Trust and while leading high school groups on international travel expeditions. Jo brings this broad range of experience to the Trust at a challenging time.
Jo says that “The pandemic has had a significant effect on local tourism, and as well as ensuring the continued success of the R. Tucker Thompson youth development programme, a key part of my role will be implementing post-Covid-19 strategies and ensuring the financial stability of the Trust.”
The youth development programme has produced consistent results. Otago University researchers have been tracking and measuring the results of the programme for four years, providing evidence of improved measures in self-confidence, self-esteem, and the participants’ view of their own self-worth and future outlook. Jo will lead the next strategic phase for the Trust, to ensure the positive outcomes are enduring, by facilitating pathways to education and employment for the youth of Northland.
She says, “Our focus is on outcomes both during and beyond our programme. Building on the success of the programme to date, my focus is firmly on the youth of Te Tai Tokerau and the next strategic phase for the organisation.”
The trust and crew wish Jo all the best in her new role, welcome to the Tucker whānau.
For further information contact
Jo Lynch
027 577 3336
Jo.lynch@tucker.co.nz
