'champion connection,' december 2020

Introducing the two new Centre Directors

Wendy Entwistle, Executive Director
​Wendy was appointed Executive Director following the retirement of Dr. Susan Foster-Cohen in August this year. A registered Social Worker, Wendy has a Diploma and MA in Social Work, coupled with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management Studies. For nine years, from 2003 until 2012, Wendy led the Family Support Team at the Champion Centre and was part of the Centre Management Team.

In 2013, Wendy moved to Hamilton and led the Consumer Engagement team at the Waikato District Health Board, where she established and supported the inaugural Consumer Council for Waikato DHB.

In 2018, Wendy moved back to Christchurch and is delighted to return ‘home’ to the Champion Centre. She took on the role of Early Intervention Services Manager, leading the team of 18 Early Intervention Educators, as well as being part of the management team and supporting a range of executive functions. 

​Driven by principles of equality and inclusion Wendy says: ‘A significant part of my professional life has been spent at the Champion Centre and I feel a strong connection and loyalty to it. For years the Champion Centre, in partnership with families, has provided a vital service for many families in Christchurch.’

‘I am especially grateful to Susan for her support over the years and wish her well. Moving forwards, I am excited to partner with Lauren as part of the new leadership team, ensuring the Champion Centre continues to thrive for many, many years to come’.

Lauren Porter, Clinical Director
Lauren was appointed Clinical Director in October. A registered clinical social worker, Lauren holds both an MSW and PhD in Social Work. Her PhD was completed at the University of Canterbury in 2017 under the supervision of Patricia Champion, with a focus on first time mothers and their premature infants. Lauren has been in direct clinical practice since 1995, working with children and families for most of that time.
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Lauren lived in Germany in the mid 1990’s for five years, where she worked for the US military, supporting adolescents and their families. She then took on the role of Programme Director for a city-wide child sexual abuse treatment programme. In 2004, Lauren and her colleague, Kate Dent Rennie, formed the NZ-based Centre for Attachment, ​an agency that provided direct training, consultation and intervention to parents, infant mental health professionals and government.

In 2014, Lauren and her family relocated to Australia, where  she worked for both Griffith University and Southern Cross University in teaching and supervision roles. Since returning to New Zealand early this year, Lauren has been Clinical Manager of Massey University Wellington's Student Health and Counselling Centre.
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Lauren's appointment to the Champion Centre is a homecoming in profound and important ways. Not only is she returning home to Christchurch, but she is taking up a role that fortifies her most meaningful professional connections: to infant mental health; to Patricia, Jan and the team; and to the relational support of our youngest members of society. Lauren is excited to partner with Wendy, to learn from both Wendy and the team, and to dedicate herself and her professional energy to the best future for the Champion Centre.