meet your executive committee.
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Kate Pope, President
I joined IYP in 2020 to get myself out of my comfort zone & expand my network through meeting like-minded people. I enjoy that IYP doesn't shy away from fun but this year we are also committed to bringing you educational events
My nine to five is in the commerce world, I am a chartered accountant at Malloch McClean - 100% a not so low key nerd!
I'm involved in many social teams for netball and basketball and also play competitively for the best netball club in Invercargill... Rata!
I love going to the gym or for a long run, spending time with friends and eating my way around Invercargill and quite often Queenstown. You'll find me with a wine or gin in hand most weekends
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Bjarnee Dunn, Secretary
After stumbling upon a post for recruits, I joined the IYP Committee in January 2021 as a general committee member, and later became Secretary in January 2022. I joint the IYP Committee to ensure there was an exciting lineup of events for young people in Southland and to facilitate the growth of new members.
During the week I work as a Law Clerk at Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb Solicitors on a varying range of legal matters to assist clients in the community I love. I am also on the home stretch to completing my Legal Executive Diploma.
Outside of work I'm a keen Rotarian and Director of the NRG Invercargill Club, have a passion for all things home renovation and organise a team in the Tour of Southland alongside my father. More often than not I can be found socialising with people over a Whiskey watching the NRL in my garage bar (I'm an avid South Sydney Rabbitohs fan)!
I'm looking forward to the exciting events calendar IYP has planned for 2022 and to seeing many new and returning faces!
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Oliva Dean, Social Media
I joined IYP in 2022 and took on the role of Social Media. I love a bit of admin and all things social media so I was super excited to join the committee and take on this role. I’ve learnt so many new things already and I’ve really enjoyed planning events so far and boosting them all over Facebook and Instagram.
My nine to five is in the Radio world, I am a Traffic Manager for NZME and I organize where commercials go on the Radio. I manage 13 radio stations including Southland, Central Otago and Timaru. I am a keen sports player and I play social and competitive basketball. I also play in and manage multiple social and competitive netball teams and I am also the Secretary for my netball club Rata and run there Facebook page. I co-manage a local Basketball teams Instagram as well. So I really mean it when I say I love all things social haha.
I love being active, spending quality time with my partner, friends and family and having a wee wine on a Saturday night. Almost any day of the week you’ll most likely find me at my second home, ILT Stadium Southland.
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Georgia Johnston
When I first introduced to IYP when I moved to Invercargill in 2020. A lot of people at work discussed the events IYP was running and it seemed like a good way to meet some new people. I attended the 2020 ball and realised IYP was definitely something I wanted to be involved with.
In 2021 I joined the IYP Executive Committee and have enjoyed working with a variety of people from different backgrounds and professions. IYP has helped me to make new friends and also some new connections in the professional world.
I work at AWS Legal as a solicitor. Unsurprisingly I also enjoy a bit of debate and discussion outside if work.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. In particular my parent’s Labrador Gordy who also lives in Invercargill. I can often be found taking him for walks, or rather, him taking me for walks if I’m really honest.
Invercargill has a lot to offer. I have found myself making the most of the various walking tracks, enjoying the local coffee (the Batch in particular) and even participating in Invercargill’s nightlife on occasion.
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Jonathon Amtmann
I joined the IYP committee this year to better get myself out into the community. After meeting the other committee members I knew straight away that they are clearly a great bunch of people committed to creating fun-filled and interesting networking events! I work as a lawyer for Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb. I enjoy bicycle riding, completing walking tracks and taking the dogs for a run. I am excited to be part of this year's IYP events.
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Ella Marsden
Nō Murihiku ahau
Ko Ngāi Tahu tōku iwi
Ko Aoraki tōku maunga
Ko Waimakariri tōku awa
Ko Jo tōku whāea
Ko Waihōpai tōku kainga
Ko Braydan rāua ko Oliver ōku tungāne
Ko Ella tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.
Shortly after hearing of Invercargill Young Professionals from my colleague (and IYP President) Kate Pope, I joined the committee for 2022 eager to join in on all the fun throughout the year. Not only does IYP provide a lot of social opportunities, but it also provides educational ones too which I think is awesome.I am one of those crazy people who loves their job! I work at Malloch McClean as Head Receptionist. I have the best work mates ever, they make every day fun plus I just love what I do.
After work I’ll quite often have dance class. I have been dancing since I was 4 and still going strong (enough) doing hip hop classes, some competitions and even Zumba.
I love spending time with my partner, friends and family. In particular, my gorgeous niece who was born at the start of this year and gives the best cuddles.
I am learning as I go whilst being on the committee, and I can’t wait for more learning and fun to come throughout the years!
Hayden O’Connor, Treasurer
Honestly, I joined IYP one because work paid for it and secondly because it sounded like fun. I went on to join the committee as treasurer with the main goal of bringing people in Invercargill together. The first IYP event I went to was a BYO, this was a great place to get to know people without it being too crowded and formal.
I work at Malloch McClean, with Kate and Ella, as a graduate accountant. There is an amazing team at Malloch’s that organise social events similar to IYP so I think that’s why joining IYP was a no-brainer.
I play squash competitively and golf and basketball socially. I love to watch the NBA and any pretty much binge-worthy Netflix show.
There are loads of awesome social and educational events this year that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
