Our People

Meet the team…

buddhaLeesa Thomason

Leesa is Above & Beyond’s lead facilitator and Managing Director – a highly respected, passionate and engaging trainer with serious expertise and experience.

Education & Training

  • Post Graduate Diploma – Human Resources Management
  • Bachelors of Hospitality Management (with distinction)
  • Small Business Management Diploma
  • National Certificate in Adult Education & Training, Level 5
  • Managerial Customer Service Certificate
  • Assessor – New Zealand Qualifications Authority (Level 5)
  • Qualified Judge

Personal Achievements

  • Hawkesbury Medal, University of Western Sydney for Academic Achievement BHospMgt 1999
  • Horwath Asia Pacific Award – Best Overall Graduating Student BHospMgt 1999
  • Finalist - HSI Excellence in Training Awards 2003 – Assessor of the Year
  • Winner – 6th Annual HSI Excellence in Training Awards 2008 – Assessor of the Year

Hospitality Industry Related Achievements

  • Finalist - all categories - 7th Annual Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge 2004
  • Winner - 7th Annual Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge ‘Best Spirit of the Challenge’ 2004
  • Winner - New Zealand Beef & Lamb Hallmark of Excellence Award 2004
  • Winner - New Zealand Beef & Lamb Hallmark of Excellence Award 2005
  • Finalist - Cuisine Restaurant of the Year 2007 – The Martinborough, Peppers Martinborough Hotel
  • Winner – Best Casual Dining – Regional – Cuisine Restaurant of the Year 2007 – The Martinborough, Peppers Martinborough Hotel

Industry Involvement

  • Chair, Auckland University of Technology, Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree program 2000 – 2003
  • Board Member – Mangere Employment Technical Training Centre Incorporated (METTCI) 2003
  • Published Articles: Annual Hospitality Careers Supplement, 2002, Professional Services, Hospitality, 3/2003
  • Interviewee – National Radio – Customer Service 2003
  • Presenter – National Food & Beverage Tutor’s Conference, Napier 2003
  • Salon Co-ordinator, National Culinary Fare 2007
  • Judge: School Competitions (2007) and Waikato Culinary Fare 2008

Practical Experience

  • 25 years industry experience within a variety of food and beverage and accommodation establishments throughout New Zealand, Australia and the USA holding both line staff and managerial roles
  • 10 years training experience both on and off job.
  

buddhaGary Mitchell

Gary is Above & Beyond’s South Island facilitator – a passionate and professional trainer, committed to making a difference.

Education & Training

  • Bachelors in Business Management, HRM and Training major (ongoing)
  • National Diploma in Hospitality Operations Management, Level 5
  • City & Guilds 706/1, 706/2; New Zealand trained to Level 4 Cookery
  • Certificate in Adult Education
  • Assessor/Moderator – New Zealand Qualifications Authority (Level 5)
  • Qualified Judge

Personal Achievements

  • The set up and management of Christchurch’s first commercial training restaurant
  • Owned and operated the Duvauchelle Hotel, Banks Peninsula, improving profitability by 70% and reducing staff turnover by 84%

Hospitality Industry Related Achievements

  • Winner – 3 awards out of 7 categories entered (Queenstown Hospitality Awards 1997)
  • Winner – 9 awards out of 11 categories entered (Queenstown Hospitality Awards 1998)
  • Assisted in the training and grooming of trainees entering competition work – 2 for Chateau on the Park and the winner of the 5th Annual HSI Excellence in Training Awards 2007, Food & Beverage Modern Apprentice of the Year
  • Judge: School Competitions & CPIT Salon Culinaire, (Junior Waiting Staff and South Island Restaurant of the Year)

Industry Involvement

  • Advisory Board Member – CPIT, Restaurant Wine & Bar Studies 1993 – current
  • Advisory Board member – Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Hospitality School, 2007
  • Mentor – educational institutions, apprentices and business owners
  • Guest Speaker – Polytechnics, PTE's and Schools

Practical Experience

  • Over 25 years industry experience within the hospitality and tourism industries in all disciplines to a senior management level, including the positions of human resources and training manager for corporate and tourist hotels
  • Hospitality and management tutor for both polytechnics and private training establishments
  • Training Advisor for the Hospitality Standards Institute – the Industry Training Organisation for the hospitality industry, and
  • Sector Manager for the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (TIANZ)
  • Management positions within the retail and clothing industries.