Frances’s impact on New Zealand is undeniable, having dedicated her life to improving the lives of others—in the world of business, education, women's rights or fighting for social justice.
Frances has developed innovative teaching practices and learning experiences for those that many would have considered 'unteachable'. She has also given thousands of people the skills and confidence to start their own businesses or find gainful employment. She's been an inspiration and source of hope for her students, who have ranged from the most traumatised to those with a history of drug dependency, from refugees to those who are disabled.
Frances is an executive director of Stellaris—an NZQA-registered training provider, ACC rehabilitation provider and provider of business mentoring for Te Puni Kokiri. Since 1986, Frances has been instrumental in establishing more than 4,000 businesses.
Frances also been a trustee of Disabled Distributors and national manager of Ready Willing and Able, which provides business start-up training to people with disabilities.
Recently she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business, and was awarded the prestigious Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award in October.
