Ruth White
General Manager
Details +Ruth White
General Manager
After 20+ years working and living in London and Melbourne, Ruth has returned to her homeland and is the newest member of the Business East Tamaki team. With not-for-profit and commercial sector experience most recently within member organisations, Ruth is at her best when creating opportunities to build relationships and showcase successes.
Get to know Ruth:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. The ability to instantly transport yourself from one place to another, which conveniently removes the pain of having to sit in economy for 24 hours!!
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Fox. Apparently they embody cunning, adaptability and playfulness. Sounds like a good life to me.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My talent is playing the piano and my hobby is watching tennis, particularly Roger Federer (pre-retirement).
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Tough question! Possibly New York.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me!
Get to know Ruth:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. The ability to instantly transport yourself from one place to another, which conveniently removes the pain of having to sit in economy for 24 hours!!
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Fox. Apparently they embody cunning, adaptability and playfulness. Sounds like a good life to me.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My talent is playing the piano and my hobby is watching tennis, particularly Roger Federer (pre-retirement).
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Tough question! Possibly New York.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me!
Shanu Gounder
Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
Details +Shanu Gounder
Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
After having lived and worked in the UK for 11 years, Shanu returned to NZ and joined Business East Tamaki in 2017.
She manages our marketing, communications & events and has over 20 years of marketing & advertising experience across different industries.
Get to know Shanu:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing powers! Not a Wolverine type though, but the ability to heal others. Would love to be able to heal my loved ones from all kinds of accidents and illnesses.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Dolphin! I’m all about positive energy, peace and harmony, freedom, nurturing (love taking care of my kids & loved ones). They are such fun!
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Not so much now with little ones at home but I love photography and can spend hours editing. Arts & crafts and painting - have a few of my own paintings around the house.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Loved our mediterranean cruise back in 2015 but a fav holiday destination that I can never get enough of would be Fiji - nothing like slowing down to island time.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family (including our lil doggo) & friends, shopping, watching movies, and just chilling at home on the not-so-busy days! We love going away on short road trips and have loved exploring more of Aotearoa since coming back.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
I grew up in South Auckland and have lived locally since returning from the UK. It was always about finding work close to home (never been one for long work commutes) so I got lucky with BusET, and it's a great place to work!
She manages our marketing, communications & events and has over 20 years of marketing & advertising experience across different industries.
Get to know Shanu:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing powers! Not a Wolverine type though, but the ability to heal others. Would love to be able to heal my loved ones from all kinds of accidents and illnesses.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Dolphin! I’m all about positive energy, peace and harmony, freedom, nurturing (love taking care of my kids & loved ones). They are such fun!
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Not so much now with little ones at home but I love photography and can spend hours editing. Arts & crafts and painting - have a few of my own paintings around the house.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Loved our mediterranean cruise back in 2015 but a fav holiday destination that I can never get enough of would be Fiji - nothing like slowing down to island time.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family (including our lil doggo) & friends, shopping, watching movies, and just chilling at home on the not-so-busy days! We love going away on short road trips and have loved exploring more of Aotearoa since coming back.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
I grew up in South Auckland and have lived locally since returning from the UK. It was always about finding work close to home (never been one for long work commutes) so I got lucky with BusET, and it's a great place to work!
Julie Davies
Office Manager
Details +Julie Davies
Office Manager
Julie joined the Business East Tamaki team in September 2018. With a strong admin, accounts and customer service background she spent the first 5 years maintaining the member database and assisting with marketing and events related administration. She has just recently taken on the new role of Office Manager and has taken on a broader scope of responsibilities including overseeing office operations and accounts.
Get to know Julie:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be time manipulation. It would be great to be able to pause, fast forward or rewind time to rectify mistakes, relive happy moments and maximise life’s potential.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
If I was to choose a spirit animal, I think it would be a dog. Having always had a dog in the family, they embody qualities such as love, loyalty and a positive nurturing presence. Cultivating meaningful relationships, maintaining a fun outlook on life, and a source of support and protection for those I care about.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
I love a bit of DIY and crafting – whether it’s remodelling a piece of furniture, painting or wallpapering, and I’m also partial to a paint by numbers masterpiece.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Family holiday to Hawaii in 2014. Great weather, lots of fun and exploring.
What do you like to do outside of work?
All things DIY, trying to exercise daily, spending time with family and friends.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me really. I preferred opportunities close to home. I was a local for quite a few years before moving to Pukekohe for a lifestyle change. Now I commute but still enjoy the East Tamaki business community.
Get to know Julie:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower would be time manipulation. It would be great to be able to pause, fast forward or rewind time to rectify mistakes, relive happy moments and maximise life’s potential.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
If I was to choose a spirit animal, I think it would be a dog. Having always had a dog in the family, they embody qualities such as love, loyalty and a positive nurturing presence. Cultivating meaningful relationships, maintaining a fun outlook on life, and a source of support and protection for those I care about.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
I love a bit of DIY and crafting – whether it’s remodelling a piece of furniture, painting or wallpapering, and I’m also partial to a paint by numbers masterpiece.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Family holiday to Hawaii in 2014. Great weather, lots of fun and exploring.
What do you like to do outside of work?
All things DIY, trying to exercise daily, spending time with family and friends.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me really. I preferred opportunities close to home. I was a local for quite a few years before moving to Pukekohe for a lifestyle change. Now I commute but still enjoy the East Tamaki business community.
Andrea Crawford
Membership Liaison
Details +Andrea Crawford
Membership Liaison
For the last 22yrs, Andrea has lived out on the Pohutukawa Coast with her husband and two children and enjoys boating, walks and spending time with family and friends.
Her professional background comprises of various management positions from National Driver Training Manager for Crown Equipment to recently Customer Services Manager for a manufacturing company based in Wiri. Prior to these, she worked for 10.5yrs in early childcare, undertaking the role as Centre Administration/Training.
Get to know Andrea:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Mind-reading & being invisible. Love knowing what people are thinking, what makes them tick, what matters to them. Being invisible - some days just to disappear and ponder life without people knowing what you are doing or to sit and watch the world go by without being noticed.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you? Bear - Protecting and loving my cubs or the people around me that mean the world to me and who I respect. Having strength and confidence when needed in the face of battle, not being scared and running away - stand tall and be as brave as I can be (lol well try to be).
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Interior design, love everything about it, reading about it in magazines, shopping up a storm for new things for my house or helping people choosing colours or furniture or decor for their homes. It brings excitement, warmth and enjoyable to me.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Sydney - Reconnecting with my family and sharing my heritage with my husband and children. Both my kids said it was the most amazing 10 days, they would swap all our tropical island holidays to go back again.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, memories are super important to me and try to enjoy life to the fullest. This could be on our boat or at the bach with family and friends, just hanging out - this is my happy place, I love the sound of laughing, happiest and being surrounded with love, it brings me so much joy and warmth.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Have worked for many years in ET, its close to home, know a lot of people in the area and its a good and safe place to work in.
Her professional background comprises of various management positions from National Driver Training Manager for Crown Equipment to recently Customer Services Manager for a manufacturing company based in Wiri. Prior to these, she worked for 10.5yrs in early childcare, undertaking the role as Centre Administration/Training.
Get to know Andrea:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Mind-reading & being invisible. Love knowing what people are thinking, what makes them tick, what matters to them. Being invisible - some days just to disappear and ponder life without people knowing what you are doing or to sit and watch the world go by without being noticed.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you? Bear - Protecting and loving my cubs or the people around me that mean the world to me and who I respect. Having strength and confidence when needed in the face of battle, not being scared and running away - stand tall and be as brave as I can be (lol well try to be).
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Interior design, love everything about it, reading about it in magazines, shopping up a storm for new things for my house or helping people choosing colours or furniture or decor for their homes. It brings excitement, warmth and enjoyable to me.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Sydney - Reconnecting with my family and sharing my heritage with my husband and children. Both my kids said it was the most amazing 10 days, they would swap all our tropical island holidays to go back again.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, memories are super important to me and try to enjoy life to the fullest. This could be on our boat or at the bach with family and friends, just hanging out - this is my happy place, I love the sound of laughing, happiest and being surrounded with love, it brings me so much joy and warmth.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Have worked for many years in ET, its close to home, know a lot of people in the area and its a good and safe place to work in.