BeConnected was established in March 2018.
We are based in Wellington, New Zealand, but operate throughout New Zealand.
To every project we bring:
- a commitment to the organisation’s mandate and values
- an extensive network in central and local government, iwi, Māori businesses, NGOs and among philanthropists
- experience connecting regional groups with central government
- experience initiating regional economic development projects
- a track record of success in complex settings — we find the ‘sweet spot’ where regional and national priorities align.
“Thanks for all your help with our funding applications for both Ngaa Rauru and Te Ranga Tupua. Without your experience and skill in navigating the governments funding streams it would have been difficult. You’ve set a high bar as all our applications submitted have been approved.”
- Chief Executive, Ngaa Rauru
Mo McConnell is the founder and owner of BeConnected. She has over 10 years’ experience managing regional-economic-development teams, grants and investments for the New Zealand Government. Mo is used to working on complex problems that involve
multiple sectors and stakeholders.
Mo has established a wide network of contacts across the public sector and Tai Tokerau region. In her consulting role at BeConnected, she has made several successful investment
pitches for her clients. Mo is known for her pragmatic approach to setting up projects and reporting frameworks.
Mo has a certificate in coaching from the NeuroLeadership Institute and, in 2019, became an enhanced skills practitioner in Conversational Intelligence, which has expanded her facilitation and coaching skills.
Robyn Smits is a BeConnected Associate. Robyn has held senior roles in New Zealand’s public service, working on data management, research, evaluation and IT. She has over 10 years’ experience managing every aspect of projects — from defining project requirements and tendering, through to user testing and rollout.
Robyn specialises in developing business cases, initiating projects, managing contracts, and setting up systems and processes to monitor and evaluate projects.
Robyn’s qualifications include a Batchelor of Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science and a Master of Education. She is a certified PRINCE 2 practitioner, an Agile Scrum Master and a Better Business Case practitioner.
Siobhan Ryan is a BeConnected Associate. Siobhan has extensive experience in team leadership, fund management, policy design, strategic and operational improvement and relationship management. Siobhan is passionate about New Zealand’s primary industries and regional development, and has developed evaluation frameworks and set up programmes of work to be able to tell a compelling impact story. She is able to bring clarity and rigour to the development of proposals, projects and reports.
Rebecca Lyon is an Associate with BeConnected and prides herself on supporting others to find solutions together. Becks has had a very successful Management career in the New Zealand Public Service and has supported many people and teams to reach their goals through empowerment.
Becks has a straightforward style that cuts to the chase, she has over 10 years’ experience in delivering projects and programmes in government and in the regions of Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and the Hawke’s Bay. Becks has extensive experience in project and programme management, with a particular interest in tailoring to meet the client’s need in project initiation and the delivery stages. Becks is able to facilitate teams and large groups to reach common ground and understanding, while building trust and confidence.
Becks has a Master of Science and a deep passion for all things biological, particularly in soil, gut, animal and human health. She is also a certified PRINCE 2, Managing Successful Programmes and Portfolio Management practitioner.
Jo Cook is our Coordinator extraordinaire. Jo brings extensive experience in the administration and secretary spaces, ensuring we are well organised on any given day. Jo has a calm approach to the fluid and flexible environment we operate in at BeConnected. Jo also supports our clients by providing secretariat services, coordination support for projects and travel and events planning. Jo has a real passion for supporting people which shines through her approach and work.
Yvette Southorn is a BeConnected Associate. She has extensive experience working in the Public Service social sector, including customer service, operational improvement, service design and implementation. Yvette has a strong customer focus, and is skilled in relationship management, facilitation, communications, and developing pragmatic solutions.
Yvette is a trained PRINCE 2 and Agile SAFe 5 Practitioner.
BeConnected’s services have been invaluable. Mo and the team brought the tension and analysis we needed to [stand up our Programme of work and secure investment].
Thanks for all your help with our funding applications for both Ngaa Rauru and Te Ranga Tupua. Without your experience and skill in navigating the governments funding streams it would have been difficult.
Thanks so much for your facilitation of our session … I noticed conversations in the teams about the results, some are delighted to understand more about themselves.
I had several really successful coaching sessions with Mo. All the sessions were positive learning experiences for me where I reflected on the challenges in my role and worked with Mo to take away new approaches to try out. I really enjoyed the combination of gaining insight followed by practical action.
Thank you for all your mahi with Tupuanuku it is the foundation [of our project] and providing guidance on the daily
As a small mana whenua-led project with high demands on time and energy, Rebecca helped turn seemingly complex fundraising into a straightforward step-by-step process that allowed us to meet funder expectations while staying true to our core work and values.
If your organisation needs help securing investment to become more sustainable or to have more of an impact on Aotearoa/New Zealand, we want to hear from you.