About Play CoLab
Founded in 2016
Our Story
Play Contemporary Leadership CoLab evolved from an observation that despite a global spend of well over US$350billion* per annum in leadership development and training initiatives, there were few contemporary examples of transformational leadership suited to ever-increasing complexity. Organisational transformation efforts were reported to have a success rate of only around 15% and individuals who might be lapping up coaching and development courses were still left wanting.
What if the answer lay in how leadership development itself was delivered? For instance, providers were espousing the benefits of collaborative leadership but not embedding this into their own practice.
Our 8 year process of research, experimentation and discovery which has eventuated to a unique practice centred around deep understandings of socio-cultural systems, adult development including notions of identity and ego and team/small group dynamics. These three areas consistently interplay in organisations often subconsciously. Hence our kauapapa is to raise the consciousness of leaders, awakening them not only to the realities of the systems in which they operate but their own deeply embedded ways of being.
We provide contemporary leadership development experiences for executives and advise on cultural transformation, diversity and inclusion and talent development.
The Collaborators
Sandy Burgham
Sandy’s 30+ year working life has afforded her leadership positions in four completely different sectors – communications, research, retail and leadership development. Through these experiences she became curious that every sector had patterned approaches to change, strategy and culture and predictable characteristics amongst those who were typically awarded leadership status. This led to the founding of Play CoLab, a deliberate practice in collaboration and a living enquiry into contemporary leadership approach. Sandy is a widely experienced strategist, researcher, facilitator, and a certified leadership coach. She has been for many years a social commentator, columnist and public speaker on social trends and issues including diversity and inclusion, reinvention and corporate culture. Sandy has a BA with first class honours in Gender Studies. She considers her identity as a half Japanese half Pakeha New Zealander critical to her mindset and worldview. Sandy is based off-grid on Aotea, Great Barrier Island.
Jenny Devine
Jenny’s life work is about the conscious awakening, growth and development of leaders. She considers herself to be an evolutionary – one of many globally – deeply curious about how we evolve to be a more enduring and mature species that is better able to care for each other, our planet and our collective future. Jenny’s background includes holding leadership positions in the public health sector where her interest in leadership extended past management and leadership practice to the development of leaders. A move to the USA in 2003 enabled her to study directly under the tutorage of Debbie Ford, a pioneer of Jungian shadow work whose integrative approach made it accessible to all people. In 2009 Jenny returned to her native New Zealand to bring this work home. She currently resides at Waihi Beach, New Zealand where she enjoys being deep in the heart of nature. She frequently travels to the USA. Jenny has a B.A. Social Sciences and an M.A. Consciousness Studies. She is a certified integrative coach, an experienced consultant in The Leadership Circle 360 profile, a certified yoga teacher and a recognised mindfulness practitioner.
Jane Horan
Jane is an economic anthropologist with expertise in the analysis of economy and the way this intersects with gender, political economy, and organisational structure. She is an exacting and academically rigorous social researcher and critical thinker, who is skilled at responding to research briefs in nuanced, but pragmatic and innovative ways. She has worked extensively over the last 20 years in contract research and evaluation, designing and conducting research projects for corporate organisations, NGOs, government, and in academia. As a commercial researcher, Jane has been contracting to the business sector where she works with organizations keen to more fundamentally understand the social construction of markets and business contexts, and how the powerful shifts occurring politically and culturally impact not only commercial approaches, but also their social license to operate. Jane is Tangata Tiriti and is a research associate at the James Henare Māori Research Centre at the University of Auckland and collaborates with various research agencies as well as Play.
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Moira Mallon
Moira is on a heartfelt mission to support organisations to grow and develop empowering and confident leaders. For Moira that means supporting experienced and future leaders to be more at ease with the responsibilities, complexities, demands and bountiful opportunities of purposeful leadership. She brings a spirit of partnership to each engagement and a commitment to individual and organisational impact. Moira graduated with a BComm and has a first class Master’s Degree in Business Studies (Management and Organisation Studies). She is a certified coach through the International Coaching Community (ICC) and the International Coach Federation (ICF). She also holds a Certificate in Gestalt Psychotherapy. Moira is a certified facilitator of the Leadership Circle 360 Profile and DISC Flow behaviour profile. She is certified with and practices in line with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and International Coaching Community (ICC) codes of ethics. As an Irish Kiwi she takes great pride in calling two beautiful, creative and enterprising countries home.
Karen Bycroft
Karen is a Non-Executive Director, Leadership Facilitator and Executive Coach, who brings a deep and practical understanding of leadership and organisations with 30 years of business experience working across UK, Australia and New Zealand. She is passionate about helping organisations and individuals optimise their potential by developing commercial business strategies and authentic leadership skills.
She has held senior leadership roles in a number of retail organisations including Marks and Spencer, Sears, Woolworths (UK), and Country Road. Karen is currently a non-executive director for Hallenstein Glassons in New Zealand and spent 6 years on the Board of The Spotlight Group in Australia. She combines her business knowledge with considerable experience in education. She has spent 10 years as a facilitator and coach at Melbourne Business School working on both open and customised leadership programmes. She has also designed and facilitated strategic executive education programs at Monash University, lectured at Oxford Brookes Business School and facilitated modules on the Australian Retailers Association’ Diploma in Retailing. Karen is an Executive and Career Coach with personal clients from a range of organisations and sectors.
Jasmine Khairmohammed
Jasmine’s work at Play CLC reflects her unique mix of analytical thinking and creativity, along with her genuine passion for connecting with people. With a background in English Literature, Media & Communications, and a Master’s in Marketing, she brings both depth and fresh ideas to her role as Operations and Marketing Coordinator.
Her role at Play CLC is diverse, involving event coordination, creating meaningful and engaging content, and building a strong online presence. Her curiosity and love for storytelling shine through in her digital marketing efforts, whether she’s crafting social media campaigns, optimising SEO, or designing user-friendly websites. She takes pride in ensuring Play CLC’s message not only reaches its audience but also resonates with them in a way that builds genuine connections.
Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys exploring creative outlets like writing and photography, often weaving her observations into her personal projects. She is also passionate about sports, having competed in basketball at a national level, and continues to enjoy the game. She also loves to travel, finding inspiration in the people, cultures, and experiences she encounters along the way.
Adelle Richards
Adelle has a unique blend of experience, built upon a strong business foundation establishing a highly successful career in professional services that focussed on advising medium to small enterprises, she then interweaved this with by immersing herself for the last 16 years in the dynamic world of leadership development. She was a founding member of Leadership Circle Asia Pacific (a region of a global leadership development company, working with large corporates around the world), and was instrumental in its growth across Australia, the Asia Pacific, and beyond. Adelle held the role of Managing Director LC APAC Community, Certification and Product from late 2019, and since 2015 she was a member of the Global Executive Team. Her strengths include translating strategic vision into actionable results, understanding operational and financial intricacies, holding the systemic view, and fostering empowered communities through strong partnerships. Her vision is for everyone to know and be their true selves stepping fully into their own power, courage, authenticity and compassion.
After moving from the UK at age 12, Adelle has lived in Hobart, Melbourne and for now finds herself settled in Newcastle, Australia. Outside of work, you’ll find her enjoying community theatre, bushwalks, gardening, reading, meditating, and exploring new travel destinations.
Alyson Keller
Alyson is driven by a powerful purpose: to create safe, reflective spaces that accelerate human insight and unlock leadership potential. With over 24 years of experience in leadership development, change management, and behavioural transformation, she specialises in Vertical Development—enabling leaders to shift who they are being to navigate increasing complexity with agility and maturity.
As a Professional Certified Coach (ICF), Facilitator, and EMCC-accredited Senior Practitioner in Team Coaching, Alyson partners with individuals and teams to uncover deeply embedded ways of being, helping them influence the systems they are part of. She believes transformational leadership requires more than new knowledge; it demands expanded awareness and capacity to act in dynamic, systemic ways.
Alyson has designed and facilitated leadership programs across NZ and the UK, supporting emerging leaders to C-suite executives. Her clients develop the ability to see more options, embrace ambiguity, and lead with impact.
A lifelong learner, Alyson holds advanced certifications in the Leadership Circle Profile, Growth Edge Coaching, Global Leadership Profile, and MyWorldView Profile. As a collaborator with Play CoLab, she is committed to raising consciousness and helping leaders transform themselves, their teams, and their organisations.
alyson@playclc.com
