Meet our Management Team
Linda Noble
General Manager
Linda Noble joined Te Whaitipu Counselling in March 2023. She brings with her a wealth of leadership experience in the Not-for-Profit sector having previously been Chief Executive of Governance New Zealand for 8 years. Linda joined us after moving to Kerikeri, leaving her role as Governance and Risk Manager at Auckland Museum.
Linda is a champion for those in need in our community. She is passionate about a bicultural Aotearoa New Zealand and committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Gillian Luke
Clinical Manager
Gill has been a Counsellor for 19 years, working with children, youth and adults. She joined the Te Whaitipu Counselling in January 2022.
Gill is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
Gill and her husband Ken have lived and worked in the area for 40 years and brought up their 3 children in Kerikeri
Our Administrative Team
Marlessa Heta
Client Services Administrator
Marlessa joined Te Whaitipu Counselling in June 2022 as a student studying Mental Health and Wellbeing Level 4. In October 2022, after completing her placement and gaining her qualification, she joined our team permanently as the Office & Client Services Administrator. She is the first port of call for our clients, community and external agencies. Marlessa has lived in Kerikeri for 12 years with her young daughter and belongs to the local hapū, Ngāti Rēhia.
Debbie Raphael
Accounts Administrator
Debbie started with Te Whaitipu Counselling in January 2022 as the Board Administrator. Since May 2023, Debbie has joined the Administration team doing accounts and payroll. Debbie has lived in the Mid North since 2009 and lives on a lifestyle block south of Kerikeri with her family.
Our Board
Jackie Edwards-Bruce
Chair
Jackie Edwards-Bruce has been a member of Te Whaitipu Counselling Trust Board since 2020 and has been Chair for the last two years.
Jackie is a motivated and committed professional with a strong background in management roles across both the private and iwi sectors. Key focus areas in her career are Kainga and housing priorities, where housing as a determinate to improved health and social wellbeing has been considered alongside infrastructure and development. Much of her work has involved managing whānau, hapū and iwi relationships.
Babe Kapa
Trustee
Babe Kapa has been a member of Te Whaitipu Counselling Trust Board since 2020.
Babe is committed to raising Māori achievement, thought creating long term engagement opportunities, developing capacity and capabilities with Māori structures which eventually flow to whānau. Babe is an effective communicator in English and Māori with an emphasis on partnership building and is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and me He Whakaputanga.
Currently the Council Representative for the Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward with the Far North District Council, Babe Kapa’s portfolios include Housing and Reforms.
Sharlene McCormick
Trustee
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Ko Sharlene McCormick tōku ingoa
Sharlene McCormick has been a member of Te Whaitipu Counselling Trust Board since 2024.
Sharlene is currently the Tumuaki of Kaiwaka School, with over 20 years of experience in the education sector, including a master’s degree with honours and leading diverse teams and projects with innovative strategic planning. Further, Sharlene is active in community groups, supporting them in meeting their goals of enhancing their community and creating a space of belonging.
Active in her Kaupapa to empower our community and all of the people of Aotearoa to thrive and dream through long-term sustainable solutions to reach their potential, Sharlene joins Trust Board to actively support and facilitate the work being done in this space, ensuring inclusion and innovation is part of the long term sustainable development for Te Whaitipu Counselling, with the potential to continue to grow and meet the needs of the clients. With the innovative and inclusive leadership skills Sharlene has developed in her roles, she works collaboratively with the Board members and staff to successfully govern and meet the goals, initiatives, and objectives Te Whaitipu Counselling sets out.
Jenna Crowley-Snalam
Trustee
Jenna Crowley-Snalam has been a member of Te Whaitipu Counselling Trust Board since 2024.
Jenna is an experienced operations and people manager within the education services sector at regional and national levels. She has worked in both public and private sector organisations and is currently working to support increased equity in educational outcomes through NZ-based, and international, programmes and projects. Jenna has a Master of Education and an Executive Master of Business Administration and is proud to be a Trustee serving Te Whaitipu Counselling. She has lived in Kerikeri since 2018.