Our Amazing WORD Board!

March 2024- 2 x Board member vacancies!

WORD is looking for 2 clever, experienced, and creative people to join our Board. You’ll be passionate about mountain biking and excited about our mission, and energized about the future growth of the organization. WORD is based in Wellington, Wanaka and Christchurch, yet our community and network reaches across Aotearoa. Specific skills we’re after:

  • Fundraising/Grant writing

  • Sponsorship and commercial partnerships

  • Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

Check out more information in the Role description

Let’s do this! If you’re keen to apply: head over to our fancy online application form

Applications close Thursday 21 March with interviews conducted the week of 24 March. Any questions just ask Richard Capie, WORD Chair: richardcapienz1@gmail.com

The WORD Board was formed in May 2014 to oversee our growing organisation. Over the past couple of years, they have created the mother of all constitutions, developed our long term plan, and found a bit of time to ride bikes. They meet every 6 weeks to discuss the progress and possibilities of WORD. Each Board member brings unique skills to the table, but most importantly they are all passionate about seeing more kids mountain biking.

  • Richard Capie

    Richard is a WORD dad to Edmund and Isobel. After learning about WORD through their love of all things WORD he joined the WORD whanau as an instructor in Wellington. When he isn't riding his bike or heading out around New Zealand in the family adventure van, he works in a leadership role for Forest and Bird. Richard joined the WORD Board in 2022 with an ambition to help with WORD's next phase of awesome, with a particular interest in how WORD can open up to more kids from a wider range of backgrounds.

    Richard has experience in a number of senior leadership roles in government, private organisations and NGOs in Aotearoa and the UK.

  • Sarah Reading

    Sarah Reading

    Mum to 2 WORD kiddos, Sarah knows the benefit of lessons and regularly shares all the awesomeness that is WORD with anyone who will listen. A regular on the Wellington trails, Sarah loves how WORD has helped to upskill her kids so that she can share her passion with them. A family favourite are shuttle days at the Redwoods in Rotorua!

    In her work life Sarah has built and led a national team for a global tech company, and played a key role within a global leadership team that set the tone for creating and delivering an awesome workplace experience which just made life better for people in the office!

  • Michegro Chisholm

    Michegro is a business owner, employer, mum of two humans and three non-humans, and a self-professed 'reasonable-ish' rider. She loves a good blat on her bike as much as she enjoys pouring over data-led strategies, devising creative innovations, and catering to the hordes of teenagers who raid her cupboards each day. 

    Michegro brings her commercial experience, innate passion for strategy and planning, and history of working with organisations that support the planet and people.

  • Angela Leatherby

    Mother of four and a keen sportsperson, Ange has played, coached and administered a wide variety of sports and now enjoy running in the Port Hills of Christchurch. She is passionate about supporting the play, active recreation and sports communities and have the privilege of working alongside them in her role as Sport Liaison Advisor at the Christchurch City Council.

    With a focus on partnership and collaboration she is a strong advocate for sport and active recreation providers to share space, resources and knowledge with the goal of providing more equitable opportunities for our tamariki and rangatahi to be active in the way they want to be active.