Quick learner always after a challenge

Waiariki's Christa George has already had three careers, but that doesn't stop her looking for new challenges.
The institute's support services director started her working life as a secretary at Lloyds Bank in Cardiff, Wales.
"It was very structured and routine, but I enjoyed the people and I learned a great deal about business, the banking sector, company expectations of staff and opportunities to continuously learn and develop.
"I also found out I was ambitious and capable of moving up the ranks. I gained a lot of confidence from that."
And that's exactly what Christa has continued to do. While bringing up her family and working part-time, she attended night classes to become a tertiary tutor in computing software, business and finance, before being head-hunted into management posts in the health and education sectors.
She has been in her current position for six years, working with eight managers to help tutors support students through research assistance and library resources, pastoral care, learner support and health and counselling.
Christa says she gets a buzz from working with management and staff with such vision and passion for their students and for the business.
Her involvement with the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in creating today's strong organisation.
"In 2004, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce hit rock bottom and could easily have gone into recess. Margriet Theron and myself took on the roles of president and vice-president. We disestablished all the staff and started afresh with a predominantly new executive."
The pair also recruited chief executive Roger Gordon.
In 2008, the chamber celebrated its centenary with a ball, a Centennial History and fundraising for the completion of the Rotorua Museum.
"This was also the year I was awarded the Rotorua Chamber Contribution to Rotorua Business Award. I was very humbled by that, when you consider all the great people in Rotorua who do so much for our community."
As the immediate past president, Christa still plays an active role in the Chamber of Commerce executive, although she says it feels like semi-retirement.
"After many years of hard work, I now think I have the best job. I do all the fun things, little of the work and get lots of credit for it."
This less time-consuming role freed Christa up for her latest challenge - directorship.
"I'm a constant learner. As my responsibilities at the chamber diminished, I reflected on how much I had enjoyed the dynamics of the executive board."
She quickly became a member of the Institute of Directors and is now on the Bay of Plenty committee.
"I'm the new kid on the block, with lots to learn, but I'm loving it."
She believes the institute's work can help build local business.
"We have a lot of small businesses in Rotorua, many of them family-run. They don't know their business could benefit from the advice and support of an experienced independent director."
 
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Contact business editor Julie Taylor on (07) 348 6199 ext 57015 or at business@dailypost.co.nz.