Introducing Karen van Staden

Karen is the friendly voice that greets you when you call Luisetti Seeds.

Last month, we welcomed Karen van Staden to Luisetti Seeds as our new Office Administrator.

We move fast around here and Karen has had to hit the ground running – but she’s handled everything we’ve thrown at her with aplomb. Most days you will find Karen running the show from behind her desk in reception. When you call Luisetti Seeds, it’s Karen who answers.

Karen is a qualified HR Consultant specialising in learning and skills development. She became involved in this field because she loves working with people and seeing them succeed. She’s motivated by making a difference and you can see it come through in her attitude at work, in the smoko room, and outside office hours.

“My motto in life is to treat people the way you want to be treated,” says Karen.

Karen’s two children are both currently studying in South Africa and have plans to join her and her partner, Phil, in New Zealand when they have finished studying. She loves living in Rangiora and hopes they will live close by.

When she’s not busy keeping the cogs of our company turning smoothly, Karen is incredibly
creative. She loves DIY projects, like upcycling furniture, woodwork and welding. She has recently built a coffee table, and has refurbished an old dresser. She’s a painter. Karen enjoys acrylic abstract and mixed media painting. Her current project is a 3D abstract cityscape, using a combination of wooden blocks and canvas. As if all that weren’t enough, Karen is also skilled in needlework – be it sewing, knitting, or crochet.

The one project she hasn’t done is renovate an old Ford Pickup Truck… but it’s next on the list!