Family Works’ new Business Development Manager Dee Dahlberg says it was the people that brought her back to Family Works after some time away.
Dee previously worked for Family Works as a regional manager for Upper Hutt and Wairarapa, but stopped to finish her sociology degree.
During her study Dee continued working part time for Family Works as a Family Disputes Resolution assessor and completed her mediation accreditation with the support of Family Works. Then when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 she moved to Australia to support whānau there, before returning in January this year to take up her current role.
Dee says she returned to work at Family Works because she was inspired by the challenging and rewarding work that the team do.
Her new role sees her working right across the Family Works Central organisation. Whether that is helping with contracts, looking into new business, reviewing processes, or finding ways to be more efficient.
She also works with the Family Works Family Disputes Resolution service, helps with cultural practice alongside cultural director Jim Berry, and builds partnerships with other NGOs.
Dee enjoys the variety of the role, the camaraderie, and helping people by ironing out wrinkles and straightening things up a bit.
“It is a very supportive role for those who are on the front line doing the hard work, trying to help people.”
Another motivating factor for Dee is that she has first-hand experience of what some Family Works clients are going through.
Dee explains she came from a difficult background growing up and has a grown daughter who she brought up on her own.
“As a single parent I’ve been in the same position as some of the people we support. I also came from a pretty difficult background growing up.
“I relate quite directly to what some of the families struggle with. So that’s another big part of my passion”.
Dee is also an artist and says her two passions are community and art. As part of that she works with Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre Trust, which is known for its work with refugee communities, and creates giant puppets that feature in festivals such as CubaDupa.
“I’m kept pretty busy with Family Works but every so often you’ll see me dancing around Wellington in some sort of puppet!”
