Our board

I was introduced to Champions Initiative (formally BGYF) while working with Oranga Tamariki setting-up the military-style youth academies pilot. Champions Initiative had a compelling theory of change to deliver positive outcomes for rangatahi, and they were clearly having an impact in the communities where academies had been set-up. It wasn’t until a few months later when my role on the military-style youth academies had concluded that I had an opportunity to visit the Naenae Boxing Academy, where the real magic happens. Being a mum of two boys, I was so impressed with the discipline, respect and trust within the academy, and both athletes and coaches clearly enjoyed being there and being part of something bigger than themselves. So when I was invited to join and chair the Board, it was heck yes, and I’m looking forward to scaling the impact this amazing organisation has for rangatahi, their whānau and communities.

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Steph is a Partner at Deloitte within the technology and transformation team. Steph’s expertise is within the public sector, and in particular emergency management and frontline response agencies, working with them to design, implement, and sustain transformative change that improves outcomes for people and communities. She understands how leaders, organisations and eco-systems need to work to deliver results, and has extensive experience implementing large-scale change, realising benefits and embedding a continuous improvement approach and mindset.

When we asked Dan why he joined the Board of CI, Dan’s response was “When I was introduced to Dave and the programmes that CI runs, I was blown away with the impact they were having and the level of professionalism and purpose. Beyond this, the heart they have for our rangatahi is the secret sauce - I could see that this was an organisation that understood its purpose and was supporting young people in an incredibly effective way. How could I not want to be a part of that?!”

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Dan is passionate about the delivery of outcomes - having spent much of his professional career advising government on the delivery of services and major infrastructure projects. Dan is particularly focused on how outcomes inform strategy, procurement and delivery or services for New Zealanders.

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Dan is a former partner at PWC New Zealand and has worked extensively across both the public and private sectors advising on major service contracts and infrastructure projects. Dan brings a commercial, financial and strategic focus to support the work of CI.

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Dan is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Tony joined the Board of CI, in 2022 after taking his youngest son (Jay) to a Boxing session at Naenae Boxing Academy. The impact of their first visit was one that was memorable on many levels. Instantly everyone made the effort to come up and introducing themselves, that then flowed into an energy in the room focused on helping our rangatahi reach their potential.

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Tony is passionate about the important role sport has in society to help make a difference to people physically, mentally and emotionally. He is currently the General Manager of Performance, for the Hurricanes Rugby Club, and previous to that worked for New Zealand Rugby leading the All Black Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens through two Olympic cycles, multiple Commonwealth Games, World Cups and World Series campaigns.

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Tony brings a unique set of skills to CI that focuses on aligning strategy, to people, culture and performance.

Mike dedicated over 40 years to the New Zealand Police, redefining it as a future-fit organisation with a progressive culture reflecting the shifting needs of a nation. Throughout Mike’s years of service, he proved himself to be an innovative trailblazer and people leader, capable of transforming an organisation’s people, culture, operating strategies and systems.

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Mike has worked internationally as an investigating Detective and Diplomat in South East Asia, and operational and strategic leader. As Commissioner and Chief Executive he led a significant transformation of the NZ Police, with a focus on strategy, culture and values, leadership, operating model, and technology.

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Mike has access and connections to the best industry experts from legal, PR management, forensics, right through to implementation specialists. As a trusted champion of change Mike has brought many organisations into the future.

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David Graham has been involved in the boxing academy movement for most of his life. From the age of 11, he was helping his dad, Billy Graham, in the gym while developing his own boxing career, going on to win two New Zealand welterweight titles and two Golden Gloves titles. By the age of 14, he was coaching alongside his father, working with young people from all walks of life and learning firsthand how boxing could create opportunities for young people to grow, connect, and make positive changes in their lives.

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David played a key role in the growth of the movement beyond Naenae. He was involved in establishing the Cannons Creek Academy and, in 2015, was awarded a Vodafone World of Difference scholarship to lead the work of implementing the organisation’s expansion plans and supporting new communities to adopt the model. The success of this work helped pave the way for the establishment of the Billy Graham Youth Foundation as a national organisation. In 2020, David became the inaugural Chief Executive Officer, helping guide the organisation through a period of significant growth and laying the foundations for what is now Champions Initiative.

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David stepped down as Chief Executive Officer in 2025 and continues to serve as a Board Member while remaining Head Coach at Naenae Boxing Academy. He believes deeply in the model because of the impact it had in his own life as well as for thousands of young people across New Zealand.

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Born 65 years ago in Lyall Bay, Wellington. Moved to Khandallah at 7 years. Am thankful for loving parents and siblings, a safe environment, some passionate teachers, and enough money to enjoy myself but stay out of trouble. Graduated from Victoria University in 1982, followed by the big OE. Returned to Wellington and got a good job with merely a BA – those were the days. Then the girl from Khandallah met the boy from Naenae and that was the beginning of the rest of my life!

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Married Billy in 1990, David was born in 1994 and Susanna in 1997. Moved to Hutt Valley and helped Billy set up the Naenae Boxing Academy in 2006. Lived in Naenae from 2008-2021. Now work for Champions Initiative (formally BGYF) and reside in Carterton, Wairarapa.

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Billy’s vision and passionate approach to life challenges me every day, to love people, be generous and keep it real. I love him, our children, grandchildren, and the young people I have learnt to value and respect over the years. My goal is to provide safe spaces for our children and young people and hold them in high esteem. Loving life, keeping the focus!