About Community Groundwork

Why Community Groundwork

and Why Leadership Matters

Better outcomes begin with better-supported leaders.

I’m Kris, and I founded Community Groundwork for the people leading the work that holds communities together.

For more than 35 years, I’ve worked across community and social services alongside frontline workers, team leaders, executives, boards and organisations navigating constant complexity and change.

I’ve seen just how much frontline and middle leaders carry. They are asked to support people through difficult circumstances, guide teams, manage risk, deliver quality services and keep going when resources are tight — often without the leadership development, space or ongoing support that this work demands.

My background includes executive coaching with IECL, an MBA in Human Resource Management, and undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in psychology. More importantly, I have worked at every level of the sector: frontline practitioner, leader, general manager, CEO and board member.

Community Groundwork is my contribution to building stronger, more supported human-services leadership. It is a place for practical learning, honest reflection, useful tools and connection with others who understand the realities of the work.

Community Groundwork is also being built in partnership with people who bring deep expertise in technology, digital learning and online community-building. Together, we are combining strong sector knowledge with practical, accessible digital tools and experiences that make support easier to access, more useful in the moment and relevant to the way leaders work today.

Kris’ video
Watch Kris’s welcome message

In this short video, Kris shares why Community Groundwork exists: to offer practical, reflective support for the team leaders, coordinators, supervisors and emerging leaders who carry so much responsibility across care and community services.

Kris’ video
Watch Kris’s welcome message

Practice Based Evidence and Evidence Based Practice
We value practice-based evidence. Research, policy and professional knowledge matter—but they only become useful when they are tested, adapted and improved through the lived realities of care and support work.

We listen to leaders, workers and communities to understand what is working, what is getting in the way and what needs to change. Their insight is not an afterthought; it is essential evidence for better leadership, stronger services and better outcomes.

What guides us

Human first

Leadership starts with people. We meet leaders and teams with respect, clarity and genuine curiosity.

Grounded in practice

Practice is where policy becomes real. We help leaders translate ideas, standards and reform into useful action in complex care and support settings.

Trauma Informed

We understand that people bring lived experience and the impact of complex work to leadership. Our support promotes safety, trust, choice and connection.

Built through listening

We listen to leaders and care and support workers, letting their feedback shape what we offer.

Stronger together

Better leadership is not a solo pursuit. We create opportunities for leaders to learn with, support and challenge one another..

Compassionate accountability

We lead with empathy and clarity—creating the conditions for people to take responsibility, grow and do their best work.

Looking ahead

We are starting with the conversations that matter.

Community Groundwork will grow carefully through reflective supervision, coaching, shared learning, and more ways for people and organisations to shape the support they need.

Tell us what what interests you