Islay is the marketing manager for Kilmarnock in New Zealand and a keen social enterprise enthusiast. Her interest in social enterprise began at the University of Canterbury when her bachelor's in sociology and political science introduced her to the Grameen Bank and the idea of empowerment through employment.
She went on to work for another New Zealand-based social enterprise but it wasn’t until she joined Kilmarnock that she put a name to impact model. She is passionate about writing, speaking, photography and any other way she can share the Kilmarnock story.
Helene joined Akina in January 2014 to co-design and co-deliver the Launchpad – Akina’s first accelerator programme. After a few months on parental leave, Helene came back as the Project Director for Social Enterprise World Forum 2017 that is taking place in Christchurch on September 27-29.
Helene moved to New Zealand six years ago and first worked at Saatchi & Saatchi Wellington before moving to Clemenger BBDO where she was servicing a portfolio of government agency clients such as the NZTA, Inland Revenue, the Ministry for Primary Industries and Civil Defence.
Helene is based in Wellington.
