Claire Baines General Manager Expand Claire is a passionate and driven individual who just wants to help people be the best version of themselves. She spent the first part of her career navigating the corporate events space before hanging up her boots to launch her own business helping to bridge the gap between corporates and charities. Inspired by the work of her husband Peter Baines, Claire became deeply engaged in the work over in Thailand and decided she could bring about greater change if she focused 100% on Hands and the operations in Australia. In February 2019, Claire was appointed General Manager of Hands Group to oversee the social enterprise that supports the charity. She has completed 19 bike rides for Hands individually raising over $150,000, and believes that all children deserve a life of choice just like she had growing up. Devoted wife, Mum to Burton, and the coolest Aunty in the world, Claire loves nothing more than giving every single bit of love in her to those around her. Dream holiday destination Morocco Favourite Hands Experience Social Venture Program Favourite Quote I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Weekend Whereabouts In my farm boots cutting wood, feeding horses or pottering in the garden at our farm What I wanted to be when I grow up A Lawyer Favourite Day of the Year Without a doubt Christmas Day… and then my birthday (15/2 in case you were wondering) ;)
Tara Jackson Head of Sales and Marketing Expand Tara has spent the last 15 years working in Marketing and Advertising, both in Australia and the UK - specialising and digital and customer experiences. Her work has seen her most recently in the role of Agency Director overseeing a 130 person strong advertising agency in Sydney with clients such as the Australian Defence Force, McDonalds, Lion, Netflix and Lion. Tara has been involved with hands as a supporter since 2011, participating in the Ride to Provide in 2013, and her husband Rhys participating in 2017. Having been a passionate supporter of the Hands purpose to give children a life of choice, Tara joined the social enterprise in July 2019 in the role of Head of Sales and Marketing to help drive the programs forward and expand the Hands Group reach and offering. Dream holiday destination: Maldives Morning Beverage of Choice Coffee!! Anyone that knows me well, knows coffee comes before anything else in the morning! Favourite Quote My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive, with passion, compassion, humour and some style ~ Maya Angelou Weekend Whereabouts I recently moved to Mooloolaba, QLD with my family... so most weekends are spent exploring our amazing new home! Favourite animal My dog Baxter My greatest achievement My girls, Sienna and Ivy
Sam Allison Events Manager Expand Sam is extremely passionate about all things events, especially when it comes to Hands Across the Water experiences. She was once an audience member at Future of Leadership and fell in love with the Hands story. A couple of years later, opportunity presented itself and she became part of the Hands team - to which she describes as serendipitous. Sam studied to become a journalist but after graduating she was given an opportunity to work with the events team at Parramatta City Council. Having experienced the adrenalin and satisfaction that comes with managing events – she was hooked and there was no turning back. Having worked across many not-for-profit organisations, she describes that there is nothing more rewarding than working for this company. Being able to see the impact we have on children’s lives and giving them a life of choice is something that cannot be taken for granted. It is worth every sleepless night before a big event! Favourite Holiday Destination Queenstown Favourite Quote Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible’! Weekend Whereabouts Enjoying my local town of Camden. What I wanted to be when I grow up A Journalist Favourite animal To be specific – “Boo the Cutest Dog in the World”. Google him! Favourite Day of the Year My wedding anniversary – it reminds me of one of the best days of my life.
Jenny Tuntevski Finance Manager Expand Jenny is one of those women who keeps the cogs turning in the background. Whether around the Hands office or at home, she’s across the detail without missing a beat. With a background in bookkeeping and administration and having run her own business for almost 8 years prior to starting with Hands, Jenny brings a wealth of experience and a wicked sense of humour to the Hands team. After a trip to Thailand with her daughter Rhiannon in 2013, the entire Tuntevski family completed their first 800kms in 2014, the start of plenty of fundraising, adventures and beautiful visits to Thailand for Jenny. Jenny and the Tuntevski tribe have raised over $120,000 for the beautiful kids of Thailand in their time as part of the Hands family, and while she might be proud of that – nothing makes her prouder than her two kids Rhiannon and Nathan, and husband George.’ Favourite Holiday Destination Paris Favourite Hands Experience January Ride Favourite Quote Life is a journey so enjoy the adventure! Favourite Concert Fleetwood Mac Favourite animal All creatures great and small (actually maybe not snakes and cockroaches!) My greatest achievement By far my two beautiful children!
Sue Blair Production Manager Expand Sue's involvement with Hands was firmly planted in 2009 when she concluded a six month sabbatical with her husband with 11 weeks volunteering at Baan Tharn Namchai. The bonds we formed with the kids and staff were such that they became family and they both wanted in some way to continue to contribute to their lives. Bike rides, task force, fashion parades, New Zealand Nights of Celebration and and hosting students in New Zealand while they study English language have all formed part of this contribution. The development and growth of our commercial sewing room and craft shop, and now the launch of the Hands Designs initiative, continues to be exciting and a key focus for Sue, working daily with our Thai based Manager and team. Thailand is now a home away from home, home being Wellington where the focus is on family, friends and consulting in recruitment and career development. Passion for the work we do is easy when you see great results (and smiling kids). Results speak for themselves and witnessing first hand the positive impacts Hands makes to the lives of the kids and their communities, and now seeing many of these kids grow into proud young adults is everything. Morning Beverage of Choice Hot water with a chunk of freshly picked lemon… quickly followed by a black coffee Favourite Hands Experience Track back to 2009 volunteering for 3 months and living on site at BTN, fully immersed with the kids, staff and community. Favourite Quote “Trust the Process” Favourite Concert General Admission tickets, that ended up being centre front row only a few metres from Mr Leonard Cohen Weekend Whereabouts Beach village life in Paekakariki on the North Island of NZs Kapit Coast Favourite Day of the Year Has to be Christmas Day with family, fun, fantastic food ….
Airene Bongon Event Coordinator and Administration Expand Airene started her career working as a customer service representative for various accounts in a BPO company in the Philippines. She later moved to Hewlett-Packard and worked for their operations in Southeast Asia as Order Management Specialist. After 9 years of working in the Corporate world, Airene learned about the opportunity to work from home and was hired by Hands Across the Water to work remotely as its Ride Coordinator and Admin Support. After having been sent to Thailand in 2015 to see and experience what Hands is doing for the children, she fell in love with the organisation and its cause even more. Being a part of Hands and being able to contribute in achieving their mission is something that she is very proud of. Airene is a loving partner and mum to Adrian and Devin, and dreams of travelling to many places. She is your go to person for all your ride and fundraising concerns. Favourite Holiday Destination Our Sydney trip. Seeing the Opera house!! Dream holiday destination Verona, Italy Favourite Hands Experience January ride - when we went to Thailand in 2015 to meet the team for the first time, the lovely kids of BTN and the riders and trekkers. What I wanted to be when I grow up Engineer If I had to pick one food for the rest of my life Fried Chicken Favourite Day of the Year family reunion on Christmas day
Adrian Javier Graphic Designer Expand Adrian started with graphic design as a hobby which later grew into a design and printing business. He later moved on to lead a team of basketball analysts doing data gathering for NBA teams, then as a web content designer for a sports betting company. His partner, Airene who was already working for Hands at that time needed some help with design work from time to time so he initially got involved with Hands doing part-time design work. Adrian was then absorbed to work full-time as its offshore multimedia designer and website content manager. A proud father of four, a devoted partner to Airene, Adrian is a foodie since birth, a child in a man’s body, and the biggest basketball geek you’ll ever meet. Dream holiday destination Barcelona Favourite Hands Experience 2015 January Rides - Welcomed Riders and Trekkers at BTN What I wanted to be when I grow up: Astronaut If I had to pick one food for the rest of my life Steak Favourite animal Panda Favourite Day of the Year Christmas Eve