The Graduation Place - a social enterprise funding education (formerly Academic Dress Hire)

Nina Tomaszyk,

General Manager

The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust (KEECT) and Academic Dress Hire (ADH)

nina.tomaszyk@kateedgertrust.org.nz

Nina has been at the helm of the organisation since 2017, and her considerable experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit worlds has given her a unique perspective on the importance of running a social enterprise that funds and supports a charitable trust.

“With The KEECT Awards Programme funding $600,000 awards annually and being almost entirely dependent on the proceeds of Academic Dress Hire, it is a balancing act of providing the best customer experience in the most cost-effective way.”

Nina is passionate about education and the opportunity it provides to create better outcomes. The KEECT’s mission to fund, encourage, advance and promote education is at the heart of every decision she makes, and building meaningful and ongoing relationships with staff, graduates, awardees and sponsor partners is something that Nina excels at. Her goal for 2022 is to expand the Trust’s sponsor partnership funding arm to be able to offer even more awards in the future.

“Being able to provide valuable financial and emotional support that ensures successful educational outcomes is my driving force. Seeing our awardees stand proudly at the Awards Ceremony having their hard work and success acknowledged in front of their friends and whānau is what it’s all about for me. And I get that same wonderful experience when customers come for their graduation and legal regalia. It is a real ‘moment’ for them and whānau, sometimes it is their first real achievement.”

Dr. Katrina Ford,

Awards Coordinator

The KEECT

awards@kateedgertrust.org.nz

Katrina has a PhD in History from the University of Auckland and has worked as a lecturer at the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato. She has also worked as a researcher in the public health and social services fields.

She has been the Awards Coordinator at The KEECT for over three years and manages the extensive Awards Programme, overseeing the applications, the Selection Panels and the processing of the many awards approved by The KEECT board, totalling approximately $600,000 per year. These awards range from $2,000 to $18,000, mostly funded from the proceeds of Academic Dress Hire, but also funded from sponsored partnerships or bequests. She values the opportunity to use her knowledge to support the educational dreams of people from all walks of life.

Katrina lives in West Auckland with her two children and adopted greyhound.

Lisa Turvey,

Operations Manager

Academic Dress Hire

operations@academicdresshire.co.nz

Lisa joined ADH in November 2020 and comes with a strong customer service background alongside many years of retail management and operations experience. She managed The University of Auckland campus store for several years so is very familiar with the excitement of graduations.

Lisa is responsible for the day-to-day running of the warehouse including staffing, regalia supplies, and ensuring that all graduation and legal admission orders are completed and dispatched on time. She is also the main contact for bulk and staff orders for graduations and school prizegiving ceremonies.

Outside of work, Lisa loves spending quality time with her young family and pursuing her interest in photography. She also enjoys a good book on the rare occasions she has some time to herself!

Sarah Mcleay,

Communications and Projects Manager

The KEECT and Academic Dress Hire

comms@kateedgertrust.org.nz

Sarah is responsible for communications including website content, social media, and newsletters, as well as managing projects and events for The KEECT and ADH. She also helps out at ADH during the busy graduation periods.

Sarah has worked and volunteered across a variety of roles alongside raising 4 children, and brings a passion for the not-for-profit sector, and for assisting women in need. She particularly enjoys utilising her written communication skills to tell the stories of The KEECT award recipients.

"The positive social impact of education on socio-economic outcomes is something we see first hand while following the journeys of our awardees. I am always humbled by the courage, perseverance, and tenacity of the awardees to succeed and make their whānau and communities proud. I feel very privileged to be working for an organisation that plays a trusted and valuable role in that success".