Testimonials

Happy Partnerships

"Milena is a passionate and energetic learning and development professional who is committed to seeing others become successful in their role as a leader. Her infectious personality enables her to easily connect with, and relate to, those she's working with and she's not afraid to lay a challenge and encourage individual growth. I have no hesitation in recommending Milena for roles that require an understanding and commitment to personal development and where changes in attitude, behaviour, culture and capability is a desired outcome."
- Peter Taylor
New Zealand Post - GM People Capability & Safety
"Milena - insightful, knowledgable, deep, curious and funny....a combination that is incredibly powerful when facilitating discussions on leadership, change and culture. I love working with you, I always learn so much and also feel like a better person for spending time with you."
- Sally Doherty
Sallyd & Co. - Director
"Milena was our first choice to facilitate a critical exec team discussion.  Milena’s style of facilitation is very natural, authentic and engaging and she is also able to challenge us to have the important conversations.  Also our exec team is loud and gregarious and keeping us on track can be a challenge at times!- Milena is able to ‘wrangle’ us very effectively to achieve the outcomes we need.  I would highly recommend Milena as an exceptional facilitator."
- Rebecca Mowat
Ando Insurance Limited - Head of Human Resources
"It’s been an absolute pleasure to partner with Milena on the design and facilitation of the Genesis Adaptive Leaders Programme. In 2020, Genesis was feeling the pressure to adapt quickly and recognised leadership as a key enabler of performance. Milena sought to understand our existing culture and the mindsets and behaviours we needed to amplify through the programme to build adaptive leaders. With 195 graduates (and more to come), the customised Adaptive Leaders Programme has transformed our culture and created aligned mindsets and ways of leading. As a facilitator, Milena’s enthusiasm, humour and positive approach inspires action. I’ve also been impressed with her willingness to adapt throughout lockdowns to continue to deliver a highly engaging programme online."
- Tamara Sallis
Genesis Energy - Employee Experience Manager
"I love working with Milena. She brings the perfect blend of warmth, humour and confidence built on a foundation of technical expertise. She is thoughtful about listening to our current challenges and bringing forward a tailored approach from her vast arsenal of leadership development tools. Despite long days on zoom, my team walk away energised – her positive energy flows through the ether. I can’t wait for our in person session later this month."
- Rhiannon McKinnon
Kiwi Wealth - Chief Executive Officer
"Thank-you Milena, I felt that our Team Development workshop was much needed nourishment for us and a real necessary pause in our leadership practice. Your style, your guiding insights and wise words and your sense of fun were invaluable to us. Look forward to working with you again."
- Ciara McGuigan
TVNZ - Chief Financial Officer
"Over the last 6 months I have shifted increasingly into the growth zone! As a result of the teachings, tools, and open conversations allowed for by Milena's thoughtful facilitation I have new found confidence to drive change boldly and recognise regular feedback as being a cornerstone for self-improvement, beyond our own perception. Feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Milena."
- Aaron Miller
Isthmus - Senior Designer
"I have taken my senior team on a team development journey of which Milena has been a critical part of. The workshops had their challenges but Milena’s content, delivery, humour and pure empathy for people meant that all involved had tremendous growth from the experience. I look forward to working with Milena again in the future and would not hesitate to recommend Milena to help with anyone’s team to grow and develop."
- Michael Hodgson
AsureQuality - Group Service Manager – Food Testing
"I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to attend this program facilitated by Milena. She has such a warmth and openness to her, that it made it so easy to be open and vulnerable myself. I've learnt more in the past few months about leadership than I ever have before. Not only did I learn how to be a better leader, but it has helped my personal life immensely, with my mental health, my relationships, and my goal setting for the future. Truly an invaluable experience. I wish the course was longer!"
- Heather
Partners Life
"What a great, perfectly balanced programme. The insights I have gained through this programme has equipped me with the tools & mindset needed to be the best possible influencer in an ever changing environment."
- Angie du Randt
Genesis Energy - Mechanical Engineer
"Highly recommend, Milena is a talented and engaging facilitator and creates a warm and trusting environment to share and learn!"
- Sarah
Bay Audiology - Clinic Manager
"Milena brings energy and flexibility through her facilitation. We were engaged the entire way through the programme and built important relationships through the activities and discussion Milena developed. Her knowledge and ability to make each of us feel like we are part of the process was a huge benefit. Highly recommended!"
- Travis McGee
Isthmus - Landscape Architect
"I highly recommend the Change Leadership workshops to all leaders regardless of skill, experience or qualification. The workshops provide a range to relevant tools, strategies and actions to assist in leading change initiatives in their organisation, while maintaining the mana of everyone involved in the change process. The facilitator is positively energetic, highly engaging and generous with her time, allowing each participant to engage in their own way, individual style, without judgement."
- Tony Burt
Emerge Aotearoa - District Manager
"Attending any type of course to further your learning can be daunting but Milena creates an incredible safe space for you to feel truly comfortable immersing yourself 100% in all learnings. You will leave each day of learning feeling incredibly empowered and equipped with new tools to become a better leader that you can implement right away. You will look forward to going back to your team to put new practices to work. My only grumble is that this is over already!"
- Sheridan
Partners Life - Team Leader
"Milena is authentic and able to provide real tools that contribute to high performing teams. Her passion and enthusiasm is second to none, all delivered with awesome energy, great humour and a focus on key areas that provide tangible results. I've learnt so much working with Milena and look forward to all future interactions!"
- Grayson Steele
Genesis Energy - Regional Manager
"Milena is a great leadership trainer and has helped me to build a lot more confidence and hone my leadership style."
- John
Amplifon - Team Leader
"The facilitation workshop was exceptional in providing both real-life, practical content and building individual confidence. Milena leads by example and facilitates with warmth, expertise and humour while also gives the participants the tools to find their own facilitation style or 'super power'. Milena expertly caters for all levels and abilities which accurately reflects the scenarios we often find ourselves facilitating."
- Sarah Finnie
"Milena was 100% present and engaged for all sessions in the workshop and delivered the course with the right amount of professionalism and humour. The course was very relevant and easy to engage in with the right mix of explanation v interaction with the group. Importantly the breaks were well spaced and long enough to be able to recharge. Follow up with a summary of resources and links to videos etc. was very prompt. A great course on leading change to attend."
- Andy Dimond
Emerge Aotearoa - Quality and Improvement Partner
"Milena has deftly applied her considerable facilitation skills and experience to teaching this introductory course on facilitation. Facilitation 101 is a great learning opportunity for anyone looking to take their facilitation skills to next level by improving the overall structure and planning of their online and in-person facilitated sessions."
- Genevieve Lyon
Ando Insurance - Business Analyst
"I highly recommend this workshop to anyone wanting to strengthen their facilitation skills. Milena's passion for facilitation and learning is infectious! You'll come away with a wide range of new tools as well as increased confidence in your ability to facilitate engaging, purposeful discussions and workshops."
- Renee Brown
Learning and People Experience Advisor

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