Clark-Reynolds Appointed to Centre for Gifted Education

Clark-Reynolds Appointed to Centre for Gifted Education Board

Melissa Clark-Reynolds has been appointed as the first independent director of the newly formed New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education. Recognising Clark-Reynolds highly successful business acumen, social conscience and personal experience with giftedness, the Board sees Clark-Reynolds as a natural fit for the Centre.

“We are excited to have Melissa on our team,” says David Tong, Chair of the Centre for Gifted Education Board. “Her innovative thinking and passion for positive change are a perfect match for our organisation and her successful business and board experience makes her a great asset for our Board.”

Melissa is a gifted individual and parent of gifted children. In 1980, she became the then youngest woman to ever attend university in New Zealand, before going on to study at Rutgers University in the United States. Clark-Reynolds is a highly successful and creative entrepreneur. She has founded several successful businesses, the first of which was Fusion, a health and safety consultancy which became New Zealand's largest private accident compensation insurer. Forbes Magazine has named Clark-Reynolds as one of ten female entrepreneurs to watch.

Melissa contributes to a diverse range of causes. She was instrumental in setting up Lightning Lab, a business start-up accelerator, in Wellington. She is passionate about the environment and has been named as an Al Gore Climate Ambassador. She also sits on a number of boards, including Radio New Zealand.

"All kids deserve the best education possible in order to help them to reach their potential. Sadly many gifted kids go unrecognised and unsupported in NZ, and I want to make a difference for those kids and their families. It is an honour to be involved." Clark-Reynolds says.

The New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education Limited, a registered charity, was formed in May, 2014, by the merging of New Zealand’s two largest gifted education providers. The original board consisted of three Board members from each organisation. Clark-Reynolds’ is the first of three intentioned independent appointments.

ENDS

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