Our Board

Devorah has held a variety of business development and management roles in both the private and public sectors. She is an experienced people leader whose areas of responsibility have included governance, information and privacy management, developing and implementing business processes, and cross-organisational projects. Each role has reinforced her strong belief in the importance of good process, informed decision making and facilitating people’s ability to have their say on the things that really matter to them.

In 2020 she moved to Te Tauihu and continues to enjoy the rich experiences our beautiful area of the world offers.

Phil Ivamy is Nelson born and bred; having worked briefly overseas in Vanuatu and the UK he returned to his turangawaewae to put down roots as there is ‘no place like home’!                                                            He is accounting trained and works in the software industry specialising in accounting software support – having worked all his 40-year career in these fields; as such he brings an accounting mind to the board.

Being in his late 50’s he is trialing possible retirement pursuits such as listening to blues and 1980s music; drinking craft beer and single malt whisky and following football from the comfort of his armchair. He has spent many years volunteering for a number of community organisations such as Lifeline, The Male Room, Life Education along with creating annual accounts for innumerable other volunteer groups. He loves being a member of a well run and positive board and feels it is a privilege.

Originally from Wellington, Rebekah, often known as Becks—has called Nelson home for the past 26 years.

As a wheelchair user, she brings valuable lived experience and insight into the challenges faced by the disabled community. Becks is deeply grateful for the opportunities made possible by the employable board and is honoured to contribute to its work.

                                                                                                                                                                                              David has worked for Unions since 1981, first as an Organiser in Auckland and Nelson and then with the Council of Trade Unions as a Coordinator of Productivity Projects in the Timber and Food Sectors.
He then went on to set up a National Advocacy Service, Works4Us, for People First. This was for people with learning disability seeking and gaining employment.

Coming back to Nelson he worked as an Employment Consultant for employable (at that point trading as Workstar), learning to walk the talk! Between work David has been a house husband for 3 years and active in the Anti -Racist movement particularly in the fight to end Apartheid in South Africa.

Born ‘Alison’, her family calls her Buddy and her friends call her Ali. She answers to all.  Alison is the SENCO – Specific Educational Needs Coordinator at Waimea College, working with students, their whānau, and a variety of community and educational agencies. Before taking this role, she was a teacher and Assistant Head of Department in Special Education for 20 years. Her postgraduate degree is in Autism Spectrum Disorder and she has several chapters in publications around the transition of young people from school to a ‘good life’ post secondary education.

Alison’s real passion is in developing meaningful relationships with people she works with so that solid successful planning can be achieved and goals for people realised. She likes problem-solving with people and using natural networks to navigate a full life. She feels that it is a privilege working with  members of the BOT for employAble because of their commitment and calibre.