Kia ora koutou

I grew up on a small lifestyle farm in Ohau, Levin, studied at Otago University, and after many years working in Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington I now reside in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, New Zealand.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Education as well as a Bachelor of Commerce in Management.  I am a Results Certified Coach, through the Neuroleadership Institute based out of America.

I began a career facilitating rehabilitation programmes for offenders in prison to help them grow in awareness of themselves and motivate them to change. This role helped me understand the complexity of behaviour change and motivation. Whilst I no longer work in this field, my passion for developing leaders is firmly anchored in creating rich conversations and learning experiences that facilitate behaviour change. 

As my career developed, I spent time in learning and development roles facilitating training around New Zealand and took up several management roles including a Regional Learning & Development Manager post. In this role I discovered my love of leadership development - the area where I have focused my career since 2015. 

Many of my public service roles included the ability to coach and develop staff, frequently it was only a small side role which prompted me to begin my consultancy ‘Activating Potential’, so I could dedicate more focus to coaching. After working part time in my consultancy for 10 years, in 2022 I left the Public Service to work full time for myself. This enables me to indulge my love of leadership development, programme design, facilitation, and most of all coaching. 

Outside of formal paid work, I was the Director of a charitable volunteer organisation for 9 years.  I am currently on the board of two charitable organisations.

In my free time, I love to eat good food, drink great wine, hang out with friends and family, read a good book, and explore new places (New Zealand and abroad).

    • Brain Based Coaching – certified coach

    • Team Management Profile – certified

    • Immunity to Change – certified in methodology and approach 

    • International Coaching Federation – member

    • Team Performance Model – certified in team methodology and approach

    • Hogan’s Personality Inventory – certified 

    • Deeper Signals Personality Assessment - certified

    • HR / L&D Tech & Innovation Conference Sydney 2019

    • Trained in Basic and Advanced Facilitation Skills

    • Trained and supervised in the use of Cognitive behavioural theory tools

    • Trained and supervised in the use of Dialectical behavioural therapy tools

    • Trained in the use of Motivational Interviewing (multiple training programmes)

    • Neuroleadership Summit New York 2016, New York 2018 and Virtual 2020, 2024

Companies I’ve Worked With

Client Testimonials

  • ‘You were a great inspiration to us in our course, you keep it real, and I love how you challenge the norm’

    Ngatokoa Gifford-Delamere, Regional Director Waikato, Ministry of Social Development

  • 'Jemma was a skilful facilitator whose examples and experiences brought depth and coherence to the programme.'

    Public Service Senior System Leader

  • 'The facilitator (Jemma) was fantastic, as she steered the session to give it enough structure but enough flexibility to let the conversation go in interesting directions and build rapport within the group.'

    Department of Corrections – Leader of Leaders

  • 'Our programme facilitator Jemma Brunton made the programme a great learning journey with her passion for leadership and ability to push us all to dive deep and be vulnerable.'

    Public Service Leader of Leaders

  • 'As a coach Jemma has an incredible ability to draw out and identify the core issue and then select and utilise the perfect tool to reframe, unblock and unleash potential.'

    Leanne B – Accountant & Farm Owner

  • 'Jemma was an outstanding facilitator – I couldn't fault her and I hope she is available for future groups because she gets our organisations having worked in the justice sector.'

    Department of Corrections – Leader of Leaders