ROW Captains will lead local ROW squads – in-person groups where members connect, share ideas, learn together, and take action to improve wellbeing at work. Squads are proactive, forward-focused groups designed to professionally support each other to influence meaningful change, making it seriously uncool for organisations to ignore wellbeing.
Captains also connect with each other across regions, sharing insights and helping build a global picture of what’s working. Leveraging the power of social contagion theory, together we’re breaking burnout culture around the globe.
We’re currently training our Captains and working out the finer details of the squads. Squad meet-up dates will be announced soon – but in the meantime, meet some of our incredible Captains!
Leigh-ann Griffiths
Squad Location: Wellington, New Zealand
My background spans counselling, human resource management and employee assistance services (with some short forays into writing and owning an online shop for fun!). I am currently the Wellbeing Service Manager at Instep EAP where I support organisations and individuals in fostering healthier workplaces and communities. My work has focussed on helping people navigate challenges, centring care and respect. I am especially interested in the relational and emotional skills that underpin strong leadership. I believe that meaningful connection, compassion and self-awareness are the heart of resilient teams and sustainable workplace wellbeing. Outside of work, I continue to explore ways of building my own wellbeing and balance (a work in progress!). I see this as an ongoing journey rather than a destination and I’m so excited to be stepping in to a ROW captain’s role!
Sally Marr
Squad Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Kia ora koutou! I love fresh air, greenery, embroidery, my dog Fred, Ted Lasso, and being in water – and my husband and kids 😊 I absolutely believe, to quote Richard Branson, that if you look after your people, they will look after your customers and business. I want our kids to join a workforce that improves their wellbeing and doesn’t cost them their physical or mental health. Together we can improve wellbeing one person, one team, one business at a time.
Kay Buckby
Squad Location: Norwich, England
Hello, I am Kay. I am an experienced and qualified trainer, coach and mentor. I have worked in Learning and Development for 35 years, it is my passion. I train, mentor and coach leaders of organisations to help upskill them to be a good manager and leader of people. This to me, is the most important foundations of wellbeing – if people are not heard and held with compassion and wisdom, they feel unsafe. My vision is a world where the conditions for wellbeing are in place, which starts (in my experience) with leaders who are conscious, present and aware. In 2023, I qualified as a Chief Wellbeing Officer, which combines my experience of developing people to be the best they can be, with my Mindfulness Teaching and Mentoring. Work provides many opportunities for social connection, playing to our strengths, fulfilment and stretching challenges. If we can meet work moments mindfully, we can also learn and embed the skills of allowing, gratitude and kindness. These I believe are essential for wellbeing. I provide clients with a needs assessment of wellbeing based on The US Surgeon Generals’ framework of Essentials for Wellbeing, and provide a simple plan and framework to assess in real time. The world of work does need to change – I work with clients who wish for a healthy culture, not words, but actions. The need is there, I look forward to sharing the message with fellow believers to help create the desire.
Michaela Gallear
Squad Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
I’ve worked as a health and safety professional for many years (both in the UK and in NZ). My experience/education is in psychology, social anthropology, media, human resources and teaching (both adult and secondary students). I enjoy partnering with people to better understand and support improvements to keep people safe and well. I love my role as leader of WorkWell and working alongside an amazing group of WorkWell Champions. I’m also part of the Inclusion for Diversity group as an Inclusion Champion. Travelling around NZ in my campervan is what I get up to when I take leave. Playing a huge part in my granddaughters’ lives is what I love the most. Always keen to have a chat over a cuppa, so feel free to drop me a line. I look forward to growing with you.
Philly Powell
Squad Location: Wanaka, New Zealand
Philly Powell is a Wellbeing Junkie and Provocateur on a mission to shake up how we work and live. As Founder of Wellbeing First, she blends over 20 years in People & Culture with a deep passion for wellbeing. Guided by her mantra Wellbeing First. Always., she helps individuals break free from hustle culture, toxic workplaces, and unhealthy patterns, and supports workplaces to embed systemic, values-driven change that goes far beyond box-ticking initiatives. Her HR career saw her lead a triple-award-winning wellbeing programme before launching Aotearoa’s first Wellbeing Tick Accreditation Programme. With 57% of Kiwis at high risk of burnout, she believes most organisations don’t have a wellbeing problem—they have a work design problem. She challenges outdated thinking, proves wellbeing is good for business, and equips people to thrive, not just survive. Philly walks the talk with a 4-day workweek, strong boundaries, deep-focus work, and a lifestyle rooted in movement, mindfulness, nature, and real food—proudly alcohol, refined sugar, ultra-processed food, and medication free. Her mission: empower others to put their wellbeing first and create positive, sustainable change.
Quartney Pretorius
Squad Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Quartney brings a strong background in Business Relations, Conflict Resolution, and Communications, with experience both in New Zealand and internationally. She manages Career Moves Trust, a supported employment agency, where she leads a dedicated team of 14. With a personal and empathetic approach, Quartney supports individuals to not only navigate challenges but also to flourish in their personal and professional lives. She believes in creating opportunities for growth through practical strategies, mindset shifts, and encouragement that helps people thrive in diverse situations. Her style is creative and adaptable, blending coaching, leadership, and business development. Whether working one-on-one, guiding a team, or collaborating with organisations, Quartney is passionate about empowering others to build confidence, embrace opportunities, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
EMILY LOCKHART
Squad Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Hi, I’m Emily—a people person at heart with a solid background in HR and a big passion for workplace wellbeing. I love creating spaces where people feel supported, connected, and genuinely valued. I’m all about collaboration and helping others thrive, while keeping an eye on the bigger picture and making sure we’re hitting those strategic goals too. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me hanging out with my family, growing a food forest, or learning the ropes of beekeeping on our lifestyle block. These little adventures keep me grounded and full of energy. I’m really excited to be stepping into the Squad Captain role for the Revolutionaries of Wellbeing. I can’t wait to spark great conversations, build strong connections, and help our squad grow and flourish together.
… more to come!
Congrats to all of the ROW Captains. Looks like a well balanced,rounded,supportive team right there.