Who We Are
We are a passionate collective of learning practitioners with considerable cross-industry experience in the learning sciences, performance management/leadership, organisational culture development – and embedded literacy.
We have learnt that people don’t change because you tell them something, give them information or send them on a training programme – and so we approach learning initiatives as a experiential process as opposed to a one-off event.
The Creative Team
Andrew Smith
Andrew is a learning designer who brings workshops and training to life through experiential learning and reflective practice
Saskia Smith
Saskia is a creative who works across several mediums - from music to oil painting, graphic design, filming and editing digital productions.
As an artist, Saskia believes that in life, limitations are mostly self-imposed, and that imagination starts a journey that traverses the arts, science and mystery.
Anneke Giblin
Anneke's passion for health science and wellbeing makes her a natural fit within the About Life team. With a background in modelling, her natural style on camera gives her a unique ability to engage audiences in her presentations in person and in our digital learning tools.
Anneliese Lindsay
Anneliese is part of the About Life creative team, working behind the scenes across the many elements that bring the About Life vision to life.
Her career began in hairdressing, where a passion for creativity and connecting with people naturally led her into leadership and management. After moving to Australia, she went on to manage several salon and retail businesses, building a strong foundation in team leadership and operations.
Jarrod Bartle
Jarrod has a passion for digital design and animation fostered through years of study at Yoobee College of Design.
As a film and animation generalist, Jarrod has experience in multiple facets of the design spectrum ranging from pre-visualisation to video editing, both in front of and behind the camera. His experience in developing e-learning modules for LandSAR NZ lends itself well to his role at About Life as a part of the digital development team.
Dave Kwant
Dave is a filmmaker and cinematographer who loves telling stories that connect people with place.
His 25 years of experience has seen him contribute to cinematic brand films, commercials, campaigns, and documentary-style storytelling.
Facilitation & coaching Team
Andrew Smith
Andrew has the ability to help people play a bigger game.
His wealth of life experience coupled with insightful story telling disarms his learners in a way that enables them to 're-evaluate' the way forward for themselves and their teams.
Linsday Ledger
A culture and transformation consultant with over 20 years’ experience helping organisations navigate meaningful change — aligning strategy, systems and people to deliver outcomes that actually stick.
Lindsay brings a calm, practical approach to transformation, combining deep expertise in governance, change leadership and digital enablement with a strong belief that sustainable change starts with trust and clarity. He has led large-scale transformations across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, working with leaders and teams to simplify complexity, strengthen decision-making, and build capability for the future.
At About Life, Lindsay supports organisations to evolve their ways of working while staying true to who they are — designing pathways that respect culture, enhance connection, and enable growth in a changing world.
Jacqui Lyders
Jacqui is an experienced learning and development consultant with over 25 years’ experience supporting learners and organisations across a wide range of industries. Jacqui specialises in learner guidance, coaching, and assessment, helping individuals and businesses build capability and confidence through practical, meaningful learning.
With a strong understanding of workplace realities, Jacqui takes a people-centred approach to learning and development, ensuring learning is relevant, achievable, and aligned to real business needs.
Learning is both her profession and passion, driven by a belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to shine and reach their full potential.
Allison Mooney
As a People Interpreter, award winning Author of 'Pressing the right buttons', 3 times Speaker of the Year and many other prestigious speaking awards, Allie Mooney is a recipient of the Global Speakers’ Federation Fellow designation.
Accolades aside - Allie's gift is her insight and passion for people and learning, evidenced in her capacity to speak across ethnicity, industries and cultures.
Whether you have the privilege of experiencing a live presentation, glean gems from her book, or attend a 'Pressing the right buttons' workshop, Allies insights continue to enrich relationships in workplaces and homes across NZ and the World.
David "Duffy" Duff
A born and bred Mainlander, Duffy brings his wide-ranging business experience to his facilitation. Originally from a farming background before a career in sales with Pfizer, Duffy now focuses upon passing on his insights and practical tools to people through his facilitation work with About Life. Duffy enjoys enabling people to become empowered.
“A lot of people already have the answers inside them. I help them discover the skills they already have”.
Duffy is an excellent communicator who knows how to connect with his audience and share his passion for getting results. He is experienced in facilitating people from all backgrounds and enjoys watching them grow as they apply their new-found skills, tools and learning.
Trevor King
With a background as a Professional Musician, Performer and Author, Trevor knows what it's like to break new ground and create innovative opportunities and experiences
“The art of facilitation and coaching provides a way to be a positive part of people’s concepts and values evolution…it’s the opportunity to question, highlight, propose and affirm the way ahead.”
Trevor brings a unique combination of insights into what motivates people – and how to release their potential.
Alistair Thompson
Al has facilitated learning workshops and coached individuals and teams to achieve their personal and professional goals for over thirty years. As a highly regarded martial artist (NZ and Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee) Al loves working with people in business and sport to identify and move beyond their growth challenges - leading to performance at a higher level.
Upholding hauora (holistic wellbeing), strengthening whanaungatanga (relationship and connection), and building safe learning environments are the foundation of Al’s approach. He works across industries and multiple government departments – facilitating skills and knowledge workshops, inspiring people to live life well!
