Our people


  • Kerryn is the founder and current Board Chair of iAM, bringing over 25 years of experience in the Payroll and HR industry. Kerryn has held previous governance roles with St Theresa’s PTA, Surrey Park Early Learning Centre, and the Southland BMX Club. Deeply committed to her community, Kerryn is passionate about creating meaningful change in Murihiku, with a strong focus on empowering younger generations.

    Currently, Kerryn is dedicated to advancing inclusion in the disability space across Southland. She champions barrier-free access to sports and activities, advocating for a society where individuals with disabilities can participate fully and without prejudice.

    Outside of her professional and charitable work, Kerryn is a proud mother of two grown sons, one of whom has an acquired disability.  She is enjoying watching them forge their own paths in life.


  • Chris Knight is a seasoned athletics coach and administrator with nearly four decades of experience in the sport. His journey has encompassed roles as an athlete, coach, official, and administrator, reflecting a deep commitment to fostering athletic talent and promoting inclusive participation.

    Currently serving as the Development Manager for Athletics Southland, Chris plays a pivotal role in nurturing athletic development across the region. His dedication to para athletics is evident through his work as a coach and his ongoing training to become a technical classifier, ensuring fair and equitable competition for athletes with disabilities.

    Before his tenure at Athletics Southland, Chris contributed significantly as a Disability and Inclusion Advisor at Active Southland, where he focused on creating accessible sporting opportunities for all. His passion for inclusive sport led him to be one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the iAM Games. 

    In 2023, Chris was selected as both coach and manager of the New Zealand athletics team for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. His extensive background also includes over three decades in the joinery and building industry, bringing a diverse skill set to his roles in sport and community development.


  • Nick joined the board of iAM in 2024. Nick has a background in construction before working in executive and governance roles for the last 12 years as well as owning his own company which specialises in project management and property development. He is a proud Southlander with a passion for the local community and holds roles in Southland Football and YMCA Southland, along with past roles with numerous national and local sporting and community organisations.

    Outside of work, Nick has a young family that keeps him busy along with enjoying biking, time in the gym and adventure racing.

    Nicks interest in iAM was through seeing a family member with a disability joining in on activity and connections to others in the region. By being on the board of iAM has also allowed strategic partners to grow with Southland Football and the YMCA.


  • Jane has been part of iAM since the very beginning. A lifelong lover of sport, she started out as a young athlete trying her hand at all sorts of activities, and went on to represent New Zealand in Athletics at two Commonwealth Games and a World Championship. Jane has always believed that sport should be for everyone, no matter their ability. After attending the Halberg Games with Otago a few years ago, she was inspired to help create something similar here in Southland - somewhere people with disabilities could have better access to sport and recreation.

    What started as a small idea has grown into something special, and Jane - alongside the rest of the iAM team - continues to champion inclusive opportunities for people across our region.


  • Brooke is the Youth Representative on the iAM Board and has been actively involved since 2023. Brooke brings valuable lived experience to the team as someone who lives with a physical disability. Her firsthand understanding of the barriers that can prevent young people from fully participating in sport, play, and recreation helps shape iAM's commitment to inclusion.

    Growing up in Southland, Brooke experienced challenges accessing inclusive sports, facing exclusion from PE and limited para-sport opportunities. These experiences fuel her commitment to creating more inclusive spaces for the next generation. Her passion for advocacy extends beyond iAM - she currently serves on the Halberg Youth Council and the Ministry of Youth Development's Youth Advisory Group, where she works to drive change and improve opportunities for young people with disabilities.

    Brooke is also a para swimmer and is studying at the University of Canterbury. Sport and recreation have given her a strong sense of community and belonging, and she is dedicated to ensuring that other young people have the same chance to thrive and connect through sport.


  • Nigel is a proud Southlander and Dad to Cooper, who lives with cerebral palsy. His personal connection to disability fuels his passion for iAM's mission - to ensure that every Southlander living with a disability has the opportunity to be as active as they want to be, while families feel connected and supported.

    Cooper has been involved with iAM since it started so Nigel has witnessed firsthand the joy and confidence that inclusive sport can bring. He believes that events like the iAM Games and the opportunities iAM provides every week are more than just sporting occasions - they’re a celebration of possibility, connection, and community.

    With a background in business and community leadership, Nigel brings a mix of diverse governance, strategic vision and lived experience to the iAM Board. His commitment to breaking down barriers and championing opportunities for all Southlanders living with disabilities is at the heart of his work with iAM.

    Outside of his role at iAM, Nigel is a business owner, enjoys keeping fit and being a taxi driver for his two children.