Lynda O’Cain
Havelock North,HKB
Summary
With a passion for creating inclusive, supportive environments where people and organisations can thrive, I bring broad commercial experience across business advocacy, healthcare, not-for-profit and high-performance sport, strengthened by two decades of leadership and coaching capability. In my current position as Customer Navigator at the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, I champion business growth, connection and capability building. I am committed to supporting collaborative, resilient and diverse teams, and I’m known for my energy, drive and ability to lead change with clarity and authenticity. I am now seeking a role within a values-aligned environment where I can further demonstrate my commitment to people, wellbeing, and delivering positive, measurable outcomes.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Customer Navigator
HAWK'S BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
09.2022 - Current
- Providing Customer Support: Assisting clients and members with inquiries, services, and information to enhance their experience with the Chamber
- Guiding Customers: Helping businesses navigate available resources, programs, and support services offered by the Chamber
- Building Relationships: Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with members and stakeholders to understand their needs
- Promoting Chamber Services: Informing customers about events, workshops, and initiatives that can benefit their business
- Administrative Tasks: Managing customer data, scheduling appointments, and ensuring efficient service delivery
- Feedback Collection: Gathering feedback from customers to improve services and support offered by the Chamber
- The Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce is a regional business organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the interests of businesses in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. It provides networking opportunities, advocacy, business development resources, and events to help local businesses grow and succeed.
Senior Human Resources Advisor
HASTINGS HEALTH CENTRE
12.2021 - 09.2022
- Provide timely, consistent coaching, advice and support on all aspects of HR to our people leaders.
- Contribute to the development of people leaders by coaching them towards self-sufficiency people management
- Build effective relationships with our people leaders becoming a trusted adviser so as to influence them in the execution of their people management responsibilities
- Manage the development, implementation, communication, monitoring and review of frameworks, policies and procedures across the full range of HR functions and services being delivered in the organization
- Hastings Health Centre provide a full range of family doctor, nursing and special medical services along with our walk-in accident and medical service, Urgent Care.
People and Culture Consultant (National)
AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITED
Auckland, AUK
10.2019 - 12.2021
- In conjunction with the People and Culture team, execute the objectives of the people and engagement strategy and monitor and measure the achievement of objectives. Embed a positive, high performing culture with engaged team members across the business
- Coach General Managers in multiple Business Units on best practice general HR and disciplinary matters. Lead and monitor the performance management framework and learning initiatives throughout the business, focusing on increased capability, high performance and productivity at every level.
- Support Recruitment practices throughout the organisation providing coaching and mentoring to managers in establishing the business as an 'employer of choice,' attracting and retaining high quality employees in line with the workforce plan and strategic goals
- Provide legislatively sound employment relations advice
- Complete accurate and timely HR administration duties and reporting requirements
- Drive a culture of safety leadership to maximise health, safety and wellbeing
- UniServices champions research and ideas with the power to change the world. From seeking out and bringing together partners in academic institutions, industry and government to build new knowledge and solutions through research through whatatupu (nurturing) and commercialising the ideas and intellectual property that arise from the University of Auckland's great minds, we act as the kaihono (those who join and link people to people, and people to projects) firmly entrenched in the ecosystem that bridges the world of academia with business, government and our communities.
Human Resources Advisor (National)
SOUTHERN CROSS HOSPITALS LIMITED
01.2014 - 01.2019
- HR policy, procedures and guideline development and implementation, recruitment and onboarding processes, employment relations matters
- Provide resources, support and guidance with HR and learning and development needs
- Employee wellbeing, professional development, talent management and succession planning
- Facilitate and provide input into the design, implementation and evaluation of learning and development programmes
- Assist the National Chief of People & Capability to interface with the provider of the Employee Satisfaction Survey (ESS) to implement process. Identifies trends and patterns and propose actions
- Contribute to HR Projects as required in liaison with the National Chief of People & Capability to improve culture, generate cost savings, improve processes, deliver value in the areas of training, development, recruitment, and change management
- Southern Cross Hospitals operate New Zealand's largest network of private surgical hospitals, with a focus on delivering quality healthcare and value for money to 1600 people across 10 hospitals nationwide. Through its network across the country, the organisation offers a wide range of services including surgery, medicine and rehabilitation support, to the many communities it serves.
CEO
GYMNASTICS COMMUNITY TRUST/NORTH HARBOUR GYMNASTICS
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Implementation of Board’s Strategic Plan
- Establishing employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the organisation
- Primary spokesperson for the organisation
- Oversee organization Board and committee meetings
- Planning and operation of annual budget – sourcing funding and sponsorship
- Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations including funders, councils and NSO
- Supervise, collaborate with staff
- Oversee marketing and other communications efforts
- North Harbour Gymnastics Centre is managed by the Gymnastics Community Trust, a charitable trust that provides a variety of gymnastics programmes to the local community across seven different locations on the North Shore.
Coach Performance Advisor
NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF SPORT – NORTH
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Assisted in developing the NZ Academy of Sport North Island’s high-performance coach support programme to a world class standard
- Worked with medal-winning coaches at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games to develop and implement comprehensive performance and professional development plans to ensure successful outcomes at key events
- Presented coaching and leadership seminars to sports
- Worked in co-operation with Sport NZ personnel and their allocated National Sports Organisations in developing a high-performance coaching and leadership culture
- Project leader for NZ Academy of Sport 2005 / 2007 Performance Forums and 2009 “Winning on the World Stage” Conference involving four international speakers, presentations from 12 national coaches and the 2008 Halberg male, female and coach award winners. 174 attendees from within NZ high performance sport
- Member of the NZAS Coach Performance Team responsible for accelerating the performance of NZ’s High-Performance Coaches across a range of sports requiring a deep understanding of world-leading coaching styles.
Regional Manager
NETBALL NORTH
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Established policy and implemented Netball North Strategic plan (14,000 membership) and provided service to the Netball North Board
- Provided leadership and developed the game in conjunction with key stakeholders
- Worked with existing sponsors and pursued and established relationships with new sponsors. Developed funding plan and applications. Managed contracts for service with a variety of organisations
- Organised the Netball North Region according to Netball New Zealand requirements and development plan
- Provided efficient and effective management of the representative programme
- Managed Netball North employees
- Marketing and communications, website development and maintenance
- Managed Regional Planning of netball facilities with local authorities
- Established the inaugural Regional Manager role for Netball North when Netball New Zealand moved to a regional structure.
- Details of earlier employment available upon request
Education
Business
CPIT
Christchurch, NZSkills
Providing Customer Support: Assisting clients and members with inquiries, services, and information to enhance their experience with the Chamber
Guiding Customers: Helping businesses navigate available resources, programs, and support services offered by the Chamber
Building Relationships: Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with members and stakeholders to understand their needs
Promoting Chamber Services: Informing customers about events, workshops, and initiatives that can benefit their business
Administrative Tasks: Managing customer data, scheduling appointments, and ensuring efficient service delivery
Feedback Collection: Gathering feedback from customers to improve services and support offered by the Chamber
Accomplishments
● Softball New Zealand since 2014 (Chairperson January 2018 – 2021 and President 2022 – current)
● Harbour Sports Council (2013 – 2014)
● Auckland Softball Association Board (2009 – 2011)
● Unitec Coach Advisory Board (2010)
● Netball New Zealand Game Development Board (2003)
● New Zealand Softball High Performance Coaching Panel (2002)
● Head of Delegation for NZ White Sox – Women’s Softball World Championships (2018)
● Worked with multi-medalist and world record holder Paralympian shooter Mike Johnson. Attended 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics
● Head Coach NZ Junior Women’s Softball Team (2007 World Championship)
● Asst. Coach NZ Junior Women’s Softball Team (1999 & 2003 World Championships)
● Head Coach Czech Republic Women’s Softball Team (12thand 3rd at World & European Championships)
● Head Coach Canterbury Women Softball Team (5 x NZ Champions)
● Played softball for New Zealand – won an international title
● Played 14 years for Canterbury Women’s Softball Team
● Played representative Hockey and Rugby for Canterbury
Affiliations
- Softball New Zealand since 2014 (Chairperson January 2018 – 2021 and President 2022 – current)
- Harbour Sports Council (2013 – 2014)
- Auckland Softball Association Board (2009 – 2011)
- Unitec Coach Advisory Board (2010)
- Netball New Zealand Game Development Board (2003)
- New Zealand Softball High Performance Coaching Panel (2002)
Certification
- Sport NZ Chairperson Training
- Tetramap Facilitator
- Diploma in E-commerce, Spherion Workforce Architects
- 3 Year Diploma in Business Studies, CPIT (Ara)
- 1 Year Certificate in Human Resources
- Lominger Leadership Certification, Productive Feedback, Mental Toughness, Change Management, Advanced Strategic Planning, Project Management, Influencing & Persuading, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, VARK Learning Preferences
Timeline
Customer Navigator
HAWK'S BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
09.2022 - Current
Senior Human Resources Advisor
HASTINGS HEALTH CENTRE
12.2021 - 09.2022
People and Culture Consultant (National)
AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITED
10.2019 - 12.2021
Human Resources Advisor (National)
SOUTHERN CROSS HOSPITALS LIMITED
01.2014 - 01.2019
CEO
GYMNASTICS COMMUNITY TRUST/NORTH HARBOUR GYMNASTICS
01.2011 - 01.2014
Coach Performance Advisor
NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF SPORT – NORTH
01.2005 - 01.2010
Regional Manager
NETBALL NORTH
01.2003 - 01.2005
Business
CPIT
Sports Achievements
- Head of Delegation for NZ White Sox – Women’s Softball World Championships (2018)
- Worked with multi-medalist and world record holder Paralympian shooter Mike Johnson. Attended 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics
- Head Coach NZ Junior Women’s Softball Team (2007 World Championship)
- Asst. Coach NZ Junior Women’s Softball Team (1999 & 2003 World Championships)
- Head Coach Czech Republic Women’s Softball Team (12th and 3rd at World & European Championships)
- Head Coach Canterbury Women Softball Team (5 x NZ Champions)
- Played softball for New Zealand – won an international title
- Played 14 years for Canterbury Women’s Softball Team
- Played representative Hockey and Rugby for Canterbury