MEET OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our board of trustees is the backbone of our organisation. They bring guidance, experience, and big-picture thinking to help us achieve our mission of supporting rangatahi to thrive. Each trustee brings their own unique skills and perspective, and together they make sure our mahi stays strong, ethical, and connected to the community we serve.
Rhys Jenkins
Chair
Rhys has experience in educational governance through previous trust roles, and was the Institute of Directors Emerging Director runner up (Southland) in 2024. As Chair, Rhys brings a pragmatic, calm, committed and enthusiastic approach.
Rhys is a career environmental scientist and has worked and lived around the world, predominantly in the mining sector.
Now retired, Rhys is focussed on philanthropy and is dedicated to youth programmes, Rotary, supporting local community events, and is a Justice of the Peace.
On the Board Rhys aims to lead the Trust to deliver its purpose(s) through sound governance and financial responsibility.
Jacinta Grant
Deputy chair
Jacinta joined Central Youth Development Trust in March 2025 and brings strong financial oversight alongside broad legal expertise as a Director and Barrister and Solicitor.
Growing up rurally, Jacinta developed a strong work ethic and deep connection to her community, values that continue to shape her professional and governance work. As a general practitioner of law, she has experience across transactional practice, litigation, and dispute resolution, regularly appearing in Courts in Otago and Southland. She has a strong interest in the youth sphere and is an approved Youth Advocate and also serves on the Central Lakes Blue Light Branch as well as the Central Otago representative on the Otago Branch Council of the New Zealand Law Society.
On the Board, Jacinta contributes a pragmatic, practical, and community-focused approach, supporting the Trust’s purpose through sound financial stewardship and governance.
Adele Gott
Secretary
Adele joined the Central Youth Development Trust Trust in October 2025, bringing over 30 years of experience in education, including 25 as a principal across New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil.
Her leadership has spanned diverse communities, from Alexandra Primary, to the American School of Brasília and most recently Yiramalay Studio School (learning and living remotely), in Western Australia.
Adele is passionate about creating inclusive, future-focused learning environments that empower young people to thrive.
On the Board, she brings a warm, strategic, and human-centred approach, with deep experience in governance, educational leadership, and community engagement.
Garry Fissenden
Treasurer
Garry joined the Central Youth Development Trust in June 2026 as Treasurer. He brings over 30 years of financial experience to that role. Garry has a very diverse background, having been a financial controller, head of technology, head of operations, and CEO.
For the last 15 years, Garry has been heavily involved in the training of apprentices across 23 industries and brings with him a strong focus on the benefits of a meaningful career to youth. Garry was Chairman and Director of NZ Rugby League for many years and is passionate about how sport can make positive change for individuals and communities.
Garry is a very practical, hands-on trustee who has recently moved to Central Otago for semi-retirement and is really keen to give back to the local community that he loves.
Alix Crosbie
Trustee
Alix has experience in governance as a lead strategy and policy analyst and senior advisor in local government. Her background includes a decade working in communications strategy for clients across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Alix joined the board due to the understanding of the difference initiatives for youth can make over the course of their entire lives. And she loves to get deep in a spreadsheet or two too.
Beyond these professional roles, she holds two elected roles promoting workers rights and environmental issues. She has two primary school aged children and is a member of the board of trustees for their school.
Jonny Whybrow
Trustee
Jonny joined the Central Youth Development Trust in August (July?) 2026 as a trustee. He brings to the board 6 years experience as a High School Physics teacher in NZ and the UK, along with 8 years of service as a Salvation Army Officer. In both of these careers Jonny's passion has been to work alongside people in his communities to see them grow, develop, and thrive. He is keen to help bring down barriers that restrict or cause harm to others.
Jonny aims to bring an analytical approach to the board, shaped through years of experience of working alongside some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities.
