REGIONAL HEAD QUARTERS

Jethro Gilbert
Director | Facilitator | Operations Leader

Jethro has a background in corporate sales and account management roles, and in the military with the NZ Army. He also led a team of youth development instructors at the Limited-Service Volunteer programme which helped inspire the founding of Triple Summit Services Ltd, delivering employment services to the NZ government.

Through Pacific Guardians HQ, which Jethro also founded, he is the Chief Instructor of the Leadership Academy, having delivered 15 international courses across the Pacific Islands. Naturally he has been requested to deliver corporate and government leadership development workshops to TL’s and SLT’s over the past seven years.

Putting his experience in training design, and Pacific Island relationships, he leads Pacific Guardians at the strategic and operational levels. Recent highlights being; a key leadership role as NZDF Liaison Officer in Gisborne during Cyclone Gabrielle (2023), and damage assessment operations and team leader in Vanuatu after Cyclone Lola (2024) with Task Force Kiwi.

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Davina Gilbert

Co-founder and CFO

Being part of the journey since the beginning, Davina has influenced the way we think about positive mindsets, confidence, and purpose-driven leadership. An expert in her field, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial and strategic foundations that allow Pacific Guardians HQ to thrive across New Zealand and the Pacific. Her ability to balance creativity with structure ensures the organisation remains innovative while grounded in sound business practice. Davina champions a culture of growth, wellbeing, and accountability, ensuring every program we deliver is both impactful and sustainable. Through her entrepreneurial insight and steady leadership, she continues to help guide PGHQ's evolution and long-term vision.

DISASTER RESPONSE NETWORK
PAN-PACIFIC

A multi-island network of trained PGHQ Operators and regional specialists, drawn from communities across the Pacific. Our blended model of local operators supported by NZ/Australia specialists gives PGHQ the ability to deploy rapidly, work effectively in remote environments, and deliver practical, culturally informed impact.

PGHQ maintains a standing roster of members based in:
Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.

Operators are trained to PGHQ’s Basic Operator Standard.

This decentralised structure ensures we can activate quickly and support communities without waiting for international teams.

Specialists are brought in depending on mission needs, ensuring every deployment has the right mix of capability.

All roster members are pre-vetted and trained in humanitarian principles, rapid and remote deployment standards, health and safety, and cultural awareness.

CONSULTING TEAM

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Wayne Higginson
Advisor/Facilitator
Wayne will have you captivated with his story telling, and ability to draw on examples from his extensive military career that apply to the fundamentals of leadership in the business environment. Wayne has served with special forces, infantry, private security operations including protecting embassies, planned and delivered advanced training with high risk factors. He 's worked and lived in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He gives clients an experience to remember, with his down-to-earth and unique approach to leadership.

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Derek Sarney

Facilitator/Advisor

Derek exemplifies the meaning of a tactical leader at the highest level of performance. Having served with police for over 30 years, most of which have been in leadership roles within elite law enforcement tactical teams. In conjunction, Derek has had a long and decorated career in the NZ Army. From deploying to conflict zones around the world, being a winner of prestigious marksman competitions, and the most successful coach of an army competitive shooting team. His experience and senior roles, now see him passing lessons learned to the others. You'll hear some behind the scenes story, and how mindset can be translated to the business setting. One client stated - "I felt like I was in a Jason Bourne movie for the last hour, listening to Derek's presentation"!