New CEO passionate about children and families

Media Release Date 8 July 2009

New CEO passionate about helping children and families – Page 1

Heart Children New Zealand’s new CEO, Lara Syddall was given a hearty welcome this week as she took the helm of the sole organisation to support the thousands of children affected by a heart condition and their families nationwide.

A highly qualified and accomplished leader in the Not for Profit sector, Lara has held a variety of roles, all of which involved her passion, working with and for children and families.

Armed with a master’s degree in management, extensive experience as a teacher, Principal, CEO of a South Korean International School and a career in the not for profit sector spanning 22 years, Lara is looking forward to leading a team that will provide an unprecedented level of care and support to families, children and young adults affected by heart conditions.

“I am very excited to be leading a highly committed team so clearly passionate about providing the highest levels of care and service to heart children and their families. No child, teenager or parent should face childhood heart disease alone. I am looking forward to walking beside families as they navigate the often unchartered road ahead and providing them with the support and services necessary to ensure they have the strength to take the next step in their personal and private journey.”

The Board of Heart Children New Zealand are delighted to welcome Lara as their new CEO and look forward to the benefits her vast expertise and knowledge will bring to Heart Children New Zealand and the families they support.

Board Chairman Donna Jujnovich said, “Lara’s appointment is pivotal in driving our organisation forward to meet the ever increasing need that exists in our community. She has a strong track record in general management, in change management and the NFP sector and significant experience in working with children and families. I’m looking forward to working alongside her.”

Every week in New Zealand 12 babies are born with a heart defect. That’s 600 babies each year affected by a heart condition, with a smaller number of children developing a heart condition, often as the result of rheumatic fever, cardiomyopathy and Kawasaki disease.

The fear and powerlessness a parent feels when their child is critically ill is something Heart Children New Zealand’s CEO is all too familiar with. Lara’s son, now 19 years, spent significant amounts of time in Starship Hospital and Princess Mary Hospital in his younger years.

“I know what it’s like to meet with Intensive Care Doctors and because of the emotional turmoil not understand or remember a word they say. Fortunately my son’s condition is under control and he hasn’t seen the inside of a hospital for over five years, says Lara. I believe the experiences I have had as a parent will enable me to genuinely empathise with the families we support.”

Heart Children New Zealand began 25 years ago, the legacy of then new Mums, Michelle Mann and Linda Davies who, despite the loss of their own heart children, set about easing the chronic need for parental support and information.

Today Heart Children New Zealand stretches across the nation, providing professional emotional, practical and financial support, information, education, training, advocacy, specialized equipment and friendship to thousands of children, young adults and their families.

For more information on Heart Children New Zealand visit www.heartchildren.org.nz.

ENDS

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