John Gillanders

Business Systems Leader

How long have you been with Anglican Family Care and what’s your background in?

I have been with Anglican Family Care since October 2014, and I love working here. It’s a great caring environment and the best workplace I’ve ever worked in. My background is in Information Technology: I have a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) from University of Otago, and a variety of former roles involving technology such as programming for a utilities billing system in NZ, systems analysis and business analysis based in Czechia and the Netherlands (first in person then working remotely from New Zealand), mobile video game development, computer programming working on my own projects, and teaching multimedia.

What inspired you to pursue a career in social work/family care?

I wanted a job that mixes my passion for making a difference in people’s lives with using technology to do so.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Knowing that it helps makes our kaimahi’s (workers') lives easier so they can focus on supporting whānau in our community, and improving our systems and procedures over time to make things easier, smoother and more effective.

What do you get up to outside of work? What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing?

I am passionate about making a difference in our community so I am involved in organising volunteering, leading laughter yoga (silly and great fun!), co-facilitating a men’s support group and advocating for animals, our environment and wellbeing. I enjoy time with my whānau, time in nature, learning, growing our own food, video games, good stories, creating things and DIY projects around the house.