Our Team

Our Founder

Lisa mEAD, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR WITH HER SOn

Lisa has been working as an accountant since 2008 and is a Chartered Accountant, CPP. She studied part time, worked full time and is a single mum to her son who is now 9. She also studied psychology and sociology, learning the impact the mind and social factors have on individuals.

Lisa has worked with many charitable organisations, has entered two charity boxing fights (1-1-0) and helped raise thousands of dollars along the way.

Lisa worked with vulnerable youth in the East of Christchurch, NZ in her teenage years, volunteering and managing a weekly support group for girls aged between 10-12. She also volunteered as 2iC for a holiday program run out of Youth Alive Trust in New Brighton, situated at Wainoni Primary School / Te Kura o Wainoni.

Vulnerability is defined as those most at risk of adverse outcomes, such as poor health, low educational attainment, unemployment, economic disadvantage, or being a perpetrator or victim of crime.

Lisa understands and has seen first-hand the socio-economic factors that come with social stigmas, risk factors and influences. The fact is, being a single mum is classified as a risk factor. Her son is susceptible to the statistics for various reasons and as much as she doesn’t like the idea, it is a reality and will do everything in her power to change the assumed outcomes for him in his life.

In the same way, supporting other kiwi kids who are considered vulnerable under risk factors and statistics is the dream for Social Currency. Lisa wants a fair future for every child in New Zealand regardless of risk factors, and believes many will share this ideal.

She wants to see the mindset of our young people, particularly those who are vulnerable by birth or circumstance to be empowered and changed through positive work with mentors, mindset coaching, emotional regulation, health and well-being education, and exercise and discipline.

Lisa wants to utilise her experience and background to inspire young people to dream and realise the success that can be a reality later in life, and in their everyday decision-making processes. This social enterprise business has a focus of being a sustainable business model that promises to give back to the community and disadvantaged youth.

The end goal is to break the inter-generational cycle that these statistics and risk factors assist. Resilient kids need positive thinking and a strong mindset for future success; let's make this a reality.

Lisa's purpose in this business is to be a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable young people in New Zealand.

To put it simply, in the words of her son, Social Currency is here “to help kids have a better future”.

Program Partners

Exercise and discipline partners

Garey Burgess - Round 12 Boxing Gym

Kathryn Highley - professional dancer

Mentors and mindset

Mindset Works growth mindset training (based on research by Professor Carol Dweck, US)

The School for Living Australia - Resilience Programs

success factors we INCORPORATE

Emma Smart Creative - Photographer and Videographer

Banqer - Financial literacy

Health and WELL-BEING partners

Watch this space!

Thank you to our team and supporters for helping to make a positive impact in the lives of kiwi kids. We believe in social change and creating opportunities to do that.

Social currency for us means valuing an investment for non-monetary gain. We invest in successful futures.