Our Ambassadors

We are honoured that four highly regarded leaders in their field have committed to be Ambassadors for the Grace Street Project and to continue their involvement when the hub is operating through ongoing mentoring and education. 

  • A smiling man in a dark suit with crossed arms standing against a plain grey background.

    Jason Paris

    Jason is the CEO of Les Mills International, and was formerly CEO of One NZ. He is a proud Southlander and a family man who thrives in competitive, fast-changing industries. He’s a keen Warriors and Highlanders supporter, and his love of technology and sport has shaped his career.

    Growing up in south Invercargill, Jason feels a personal connection to The Grace Street Project. He believes young people need safe spaces and someone who believes in their potential—which is exactly what this initiative provides.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling and sitting at a table in a room with gray walls, wearing a black top with a colorful hummingbird design.

    Dale Pfeifer

    Invercargill born Dale Pfeifer has a hugely successful career in America. She is the Founder and Chair of Goodworld and CEO of Giving Compass. Dale has a lengthy list of achievements including being recognised as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in DC by the Washingtonian magazine, one of Washington Business Journal’s ‘Under 40’ business leaders and runner up in the 2016 New Zealand Woman of the Year awards.

    Dale feels that offering support and pathways for people to achieve their dreams is essential for a healthy, thriving community. She is excited to join us and eager to support people to make impactful change.

  • A man with curly brown hair and a slight beard, wearing a black blazer and a necklace with a turquoise pendant, standing in front of a building floor plan.

    Chris Mac

    Many know Chris Mac as the charismatic band member from SIX60, one of New Zealand’s most popular and high profile bands, but his connection with Invercargill is less well known. Chris moved to Invercargill as a teenager and says it is the place he feels most connected to and that he considers himself a Southlander.

    Having spent time working in alternative education for the local YMCA , he understands the need for The Grace Street Project. Chris believes it’s important to have kids connected to something positive and to help them find a pathway in life to contribute to society. He is excited about the project and thinks it’s long overdue.

  • A woman with long wavy red hair wearing blue medical scrubs, standing against a plain gray background.

    Dr Danielle Jones (Dr Mama Jones)

    Dr Danielle Jones, also known as Mama Doctor Jones to her 3.4 million, was born in Texas, USA.  She arrived in Invercargill in 2021 and works in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Southland Hospital.  

    An adopted Southlander now, Dr Mama Jones is a global star creating ‘edu-tainment’ in the field of reproduction and sexual health. She has amassed millions of followers across social media, using these platforms to educate and explain research and science in simple terms. 

    She is passionate about Invercargill, a city that has become home to her family. Danielle is thrilled to be involved with the project and has the opportunity to give back to the community that welcomed them with open arms mid-pandemic and continues to support her whānau.

Four people standing on a stage, posing for a photo in front of a large screen that reads "the Grace Street Project." There is a scooter to the left and a banner that says "SpaceMaker's SOUTHLAND." The individuals are smiling, and one woman in the center is wearing a black T-shirt with the same logo.
Three people standing next to a banner for the Grace Street Project at an indoor event. The woman on the left is wearing a blue T-shirt with the project logo, and the two men on the right are dressed in business attire. There is a displayboard with architectural plans on a table in the foreground.