UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director Dennis McKinlay spoke about a

career that began in tourism and lead to over a decade of working for children.

 

Dennis spent over eight and a half years “selling travel,” a world apart from the challenges of international development.

 

Dennis’ involvement with UNICEF was not by design - he had not even heard of the organization. Upon returning from working in Los Angeles, Dennis studied a few papers of interest at university. He began volunteering at UNICEF and then stepped in to fill the vacant position of Executive Director while the organization recruited. Three months passed, then six and UNICEF had not recruited. At nine months Dennis realized the job was interesting and rewarding.

 

Ten years on, Dennis admits to still feeling disorientated by the language, acronyms and unique culture of the NGO community but acknowledges the passion and commitment of the individuals he has worked with.

 

He describes his experiences in the field as humbling and inspiring.

'It has been an interesting and different experience that I will always treasure," he said.