Our Team

Sharn Rayner - PGDip Spt Dev, GDip HRM, BA Hons, Managing Director

With 15 years working within strategic management, business growth, HR and organisational development, I am able to utilise this knowledge and experience when working alongside our clients.  Together, we ensure the selection, retention and development of top performers, who are highly productive and who collectively achieve success for the overall business, whilst enhancing their own personal and professional development.

I bring diverse experience as a consultant, coach and mentor, delivering on all aspects of HR and organisational development, psychometric assessment, recruitment, business strategy and facilitation.

At Pod Consulting I preach what I practice (no, not the other way round), which helps to ensure that the team and I are living our values and enhancing the businesses of our clients with processes, systems and initiative that work.

I have a Bachelor of English Literature, a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Development (focus on strategic management) and a Graduate Diploma in HR Management, where I achieved the highest grades on each paper for the course.

In 2011 I was a finalist for the Bloom Business Woman of the Year awards.

Outside of work I am reluctant exerciser, I spend my time with my two kids and I endeavour to be enthusiastic about our latest property development/renovation project.

sharn@podconsulting.net.nz
0800 4 pod hr
022 600 9197

Melanie Navarro - MBA, BA, BSC, HR Advisor

I have worked for more than 20 years in a variety of industries and multifaceted environments, including eight years in human resource management and administration. My passion for human resources began in the Phillippines when I worked as the head of HR and Administration for an appliance manufacturing company. Prior to moving to New Zealand, more than four years ago, I served as Senior Manager for Human Resources for Deloitte Philippines. Both roles encompassed all aspects of human resources, including recruitment and selection, regulatory compliance, onboarding and training, remuneration and benefits, employee relations and communication, and employee services.

While in the Philippines, I also managed our family-owned business. The business continues to grow with a good and steady client base.

I have two Bachelor degrees – a BA in Psychology and a BSC in Marketing Management – and I have also completed my Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my two children.

melanie@podconsulting.net.nz
0800 4 pod hr 

Lisa Prohuber - AssocDipBus, Consultant

I have worked in various industries over the course of my career (accounting, finance, online marketing and recruitment) enabling me to have diversity into many facets of business as a solutions consultant to businesses, assisting with growth and development.

I have studied a Bachelor of Business Accounting at the University of Southern Queensland, and hold an Associate Diploma of Business Accounting.

My husband and I have a business importing and selling directly to the wholesale and retail market. Being a business owner has given me the experience and an understanding of the challenges that business owners face, from managing a team to juggling the cash flow.

In the weekends, you will find me in variety of places, from the west coast beaches where I grew up or chasing my two children around the museum.

l.prohuber@podconsulting.net.nz
0800 4 pod hr
021 408 136

Lisa Charlton, Business Executive

My career started within the beauty industry and then I moved in to roles encompassing sales, marketing and PA roles within the beauty and real estate industries.

At Pod Consulting my focus is on supporting the administrative needs of the team, assisting with the strategic direction of the business and managing all marketing processes and campaigns.

When I’m not at work I love spending time at the beach with my young boys and husband, taking lunches with the girls and going to Pilates or the gym… if I have any spare time.

lisa@podconsulting.net.nz
0800 4 pod hr 

Sonia Burling – BBUS, Team Administrator

I have recently graduated with a Bachelor of Business, double majoring in Management and Human Resource Management & Employment Relations from Auckland University of Technology. I’m currently completing my Masters in Business, majoring in Management.

Human resources have always been my passion and completing my degree has helped my understanding of different disciplines within the human resource pathway. On my last year of university I completed a 9 weeks internship with Counties Manukau District Health Board working 5 weeks as a Project Analyst for the Kia Ora Hauora Programme and 4 weeks as a HR Assistant. My working experience has enhanced my ability of transferring theory into practice and being able to work within a team/group of people.

My family owns a small resort in Tonga and it has helped me gain relevant experiences and understanding of the daily operation of business. From managing employees to serving guests I have learned to deal with daily challenges, finding solutions to any problems encountered.

Outside work, I love to spend time with family and friends.

sonia@podconsulting.net.nz

0800 4 pod hr

Michael Smyth - LLB, Lawyer (New Zealand)

My interest in law started at the age of six when I used to go to my Dad’s law office in the school holidays. Since then I have gained extensive qualifications and training in the field including a law degree from Kingston University London , my Legal Practice Diploma from Guildford College of Law, and hand-on training at 3 Kings Bench Walk in London. I have grounding in all areas of commercial litigation, commercial and employment law.

Upon arriving in New Zealand I joined Buddle Finlay, one of the top 6 law firms in the country, working in their litigation and employment law departments and in 2002 was admitted to the New Zealand Bar.

The intention was to stay in New Zealand for a year, but like a lot of people I quite liked the place, and some time later I'm still here practising employment law as a self employed barrister and owner of ApproachableLawyer.com.

In my sixteen or so years of practice I have read numerous cases, helped many clients out of the mire and set up a number of businesses. That means not only am I a lawyer with an expertise in employment and sport, but I am also a businessman. I think that gives me a good insight into a number of problems my clients face. I also like to pride myself on my approachability - I always keep my clients informed as to what is going on and give realistic estimates of how long a job is going to take.

michael@approachablelawyer.com
021 320 171

Emma Kirkland – BA LLB, Dip Leg Prac, Senior Employment Relations Consultant (Australia)

I began my legal career in Sydney, Australia, as a lawyer working for a lead Sydney law firm Henry Davis York, specialising in Employment Law & Commercial Litigation. I gained extensive experience before moving to Auckland, New Zealand, in 2003, where I was admitted to the NZ High Court and joined the Employment Law team at Hesketh Henry. Later, I joined the Warehouse as their in house Employment Relations Lawyer, working closely with the HR team and managers across the country in all aspects of employment relations.

Employee relations is such a people centric area of practice and my love of employment law has always been driven by a strong desire to help people, and businesses, work effectively and build relationships. In late 2006 I started my own Employment Law Consultancy to help businesses access helpful, practical and affordable ER advice and solutions. I have advised clients from a broad range of sectors, from large corporate clients to SME’s.

In 2010 my family and I relocated to Brisbane, Australia. Since returning to Australia I have worked as an Industrial / Employment Relations Consultant for both Australian and New Zealand clients. I am Australian by birth however I feel as though I have two homes! I miss New Zealand and yet I love being back in Australia.