WEEKEND PROFILE: A woman with spirit: Lynette Davies

It's the Bay's big fundraising project - and there's a new woman running it. As people across the region dig deep for Project Hope's $2 million cancer centre, the Bay Health Foundation has appointed a new chief executive to drive the campaign. She's had 25 years' experience in the Australian corporate world, been an advocate for women's rights, is an effervescent ball of energy who thrives on challenge and a woman who is not afraid to go where others fear to tread. Lesley Staniland meets Lynette Davies.
* Age? 61
* Family? Two sons - one in Auckland, one in Sydney and each has a son, my two lovely grandsons.
* Where did you grow up? I was born in Te Awamutu and educated at Diocesan in Hamilton.
* Career history? How much time do you have? My career began as a magazine editor and freelance journalist. These communication skills honed my gifts for perception and persuasion and led into sales and marketing. In a nutshell: Project management, human resource management, customer service trainer-coach for Young Enterprise Scheme; business coach-consultant, sales/skills trainer for Chamber of Commerce; adviser, facilitator, coach and trainer for InStep-MEOW (Maori Enterprise Opportunities for Women); business development manager for BdMax Biodynamics; marketing manager IGA Sydney; business development manager, Adroit Human Resources Sydney; staff assessor and other roles with Dorans Jam Factory, Tasmania; various roles with TNT Air Couriers Sydney, Protel Computers Tasmania, Promail Holdings Sydney; advertising, marketing and PR manager for Butterick/Vogue Fashion, Sydney. Many roles in human resource management. Counselling roles with Birthright, Wayside Chapel; developing programmes on street kids, handicapped, longterm unemployed, small businesses; studied NLP, NET, Imago therapy, sand box play etc; keen on spiritual development - physchometry, tarot; and so it goes on.
* What is your position now? CEO Bay Health Foundation - but I answer the phones, make the coffee, wash the dishes ...
* How long have you been in this job? Two months.
* What does your job entail? I am the front person for the campaign to raise $2 million to build a cancer centre for the people of the Western Bay of Plenty.
* Do you find it challenging? Yes. I have moments during the night when I ask myself what have I taken on. But then there's barely a day goes by when I'm not hearing of someone or some organisation doing something wonderful to help. And the trustees I work with are a joy - they don't interfere and they're wonderful to work with.
* What is the most enjoyable or satisfying aspect of your work? People. The wonderful things people have done never cease to amaze me. I've been accumulating the stories I've heard involving people in this project and I will compile them into a book when it's all over.
It's a huge thing we're doing here and the amazing thing is that everyone's getting behind it, including the Bay of Plenty Times and Katikati Advertiser, Lions and other organisations.
As you know we have already raised funds for the dialysis project and for several smaller, individual projects through Project Hope but now we're concentrating wholly on raising the $2 million for the cancer centre.
We're getting lots of small donations but we would really appreciate more corporates getting behind us. I n Australia we had supermarkets donating one cent from every item sold over a period - something like that here would make a big difference.
* Should the Government be paying for the things you raise funds for? It's a world trend where governments are perceived as paying their dues if they provide the basic necessities of life. Any extras - well, communities need to put their hands in their own pockets if they want those facilities. If they want something extra they have to be proactive.
* Has anyone in your family been affected by cancer? My father died at an early age but my parents were divorced and I hardly knew him. That's certainly not why I'm doing this job - I'm doing it because it's an essential service for the community.
* What is your favourite food? Mangoes. In Australia I lived on them. I can't find any that taste the same here though. I like chocolate too ...
* Worst food? Well, I've lived such a cosmopolitan life that I like most things. I suppose if there's anything I don't like it's probably offal - tripe. I don't eat a lot of offal.
* Favourite book? I've just read Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Files - an amazing book. It brings together everything I've ever believed in. And I've just re-read The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It's a favourite and has so many true and spiritual words in it. I have read it several times and have bought many copies of it to give to friends. There's an answer to every question in there.
* Favourite TV programme? I don't watch TV; I seldom turn it on. But I do love movies.
* Other activities? I walk. I don't exercise a lot. I live every day to the best of my ability. I give thanks every day for life and feel very blessed.
* Do you have pets? No. I've always lived in high-rise buildings. It's the same here - and I'm too busy to pay them attention.
* What is your greatest joy? Everything - every day I wake up and feel blessed.
* What is your pet hate? Limited thinking.
* Silly question but what do you do in your spare time? You've got that right - I don't have any. Two to three nights a week and at weekends I talk to various (community) groups (about Project Hope). As long as I'm required to do it I'll do it - I'm meeting such lovely people.