Deborah first learnt of Teach First while on sabbatical in Britain, and is the co-founder of Teach First NZ. She started her career as a teacher and has spent the past thirty years working in education across the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. Deborah has owned education businesses in Hong Kong and New Zealand, worked for the New Zealand and Australian governments, and was one of a team of 3 to establish and expand the Duffy “Books in Homes” programme nationwide. Currently the Director of Enrolment at Auckland Grammar School, Deborah also spent 5 years on the School Board of Trustees and 3 years as Director of Development. In 2011 she helped establish the InZone Project which provides access for Maori and Pacific Island students to New Zealand's top performing state schools, and is on the Board of the InZone Education Foundation. Deborah believes the Teach First programme is the most meaningful initiative she has seen to effect long-term social change through education.