Jennifer & Ross McMillan – Directors: STILL McMillan
The world of work continues to change rapidly. AI, emerging technologies and evolving workforce expectations are transforming how organisations operate, collaborate and lead.
As these changes accelerate, many organisations face a familiar challenge: translating good intentions into meaningful people outcomes. While technology can support and enable transformation, it cannot replace the experience, insight and human connection needed to build thriving workplaces.
AI can analyse data. Technology can automate processes. While we embrace these, it is trust, collaboration, leadership and meaningful relationships that remain at the heart of every successful organisation.
That’s where we come in – we help organisations strengthen leadership, engagement, culture and people practices – combining practical expertise with a deep understanding of what drives performance, success and strong workplace relationships.
Because despite all the change, one thing remains true: It’s STILL about people.
EXPERTISE
STILL brings together more than 25 years of senior HR, People & Culture and organisational leadership experience to help organisations navigate change, strengthen capability and build thriving workplaces.
Our approach is practical, empathetic and hands-on. We combine proven expertise with contemporary thinking, emerging technologies and a deep understanding of the people factors that drive organisational success.
At a glance:
- Over 25 years’ experience in senior HR, People & Culture and organisational leadership roles
- A strong understanding of how workplaces, workforces and people strategies continue to evolve
- A passion for building connected, inclusive and high-performing workplace communities
- Access to a trusted network of specialist expertise, brought in when additional support is needed
- A belief that positive relationships, trust and a sense of fun are essential ingredients for success
- A practical, collaborative approach focused on achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes
When you engage STILL, you can expect a calm, trusted presence that helps people work together effectively, navigate change with confidence and build stronger workplace relationships – particularly during periods of growth, uncertainty and transformation.
HR Expertise
SERVICE Delivery
Working across New Zealand from our base in Wellington, we partner with organisations of all sizes to deliver practical, people-focused solutions that reflect the STILL ethos.
Our Services Include:
- Organisational culture, employee engagement and workplace experience
- People strategy, workforce planning and business planning
- Leadership development, coaching and mentoring
- Team effectiveness, collaboration and conflict resolution
- Change management and organisational transformation
- HR and People & Culture policies, processes and programme development
- Performance development and capability building
- Employee wellbeing, resilience and workplace care programmes
- Inclusion, diversity and belonging
- Employee relations, mediation, restorative practice and dispute resolution
- Recognition and reward programmes
- Health, safety and workplace wellbeing
- HR crisis planning, coaching and support
- Workshop, conference and event facilitation, including MC services
- Hybrid and flexible workplace design and practices
Signature Programmes:
- ETI – Enhancing Team Impact – a practical programme that equips leadership, functional, and project teams to build trust, handle conflict, and perform at a higher level – delivered in partnership with Kaye Sherwin Consulting.
- GLUE – our flexible, modular leadership development programme for emerging leaders, experienced leaders, executive leaders and leadership teams
- The 10 Behaviours® Accredited Partner
Whether you’re strengthening culture, developing leaders, navigating change or enhancing team performance, we bring practical experience, trusted advice and a calm, collaborative approach to help your people and organisation thrive.
Ross McMillan
Director – STILL McMillan
People Leadership | Stakeholder Engagement | People & Culture | Employee Relations | Wellbeing | Executive Coaching
With more than 25 years of leadership experience across Human Resources, People & Culture, employee engagement, organisational development and workplace wellbeing, a people-centred approach has remained a constant.
Building trusted relationships and bringing people together sits at the heart of the work undertaken with leaders, teams and organisations. By combining authenticity, empathy, humour and practical wisdom, individuals and teams are supported to navigate change, strengthen collaboration and create positive workplace experiences.
Extensive expertise includes executive coaching, leadership development, employee relations, restorative practice and dispute resolution. A particular passion exists for workplace wellbeing, resilience and creating cultures where people feel valued, connected and able to do their best work.
Experience spans organisational development, inclusion and diversity, learning and development, remuneration and recognition, people strategy and transformation. Whether facilitating a difficult workplace conversation, supporting a leadership team or helping shape a future-focused people strategy, a calm, pragmatic and people-focused perspective is brought to every engagement.
Strong relationships, trust and collaboration are viewed as the foundation of every successful organisation. Helping people find common ground, connect to purpose and achieve meaningful outcomes remains a key driver.
Outside of work, time is often spent enjoying music, fishing, supporting family activities, following football and occasionally putting well-honed BBQ hosting skills to good use!
Jennifer McMillan
Director – STILL McMillan
Service Delivery – Customer Experience – Accounts
Experienced in service delivery, with an accounting and administration background in a corporate environment.
Retail customer service experience – public facing delivery of service, with a genuine and caring heart for community.
Over 15 years running an inner city community playgroup, nurturing a diverse range of social and cultural groupings.
Also actively enjoys family’s sporting and musical activities, supplemented by passions for cross-stitching and gardening.
Testimonials
Rachel O’Connor
– Chief Executive, English Language Partners, NZ
We were incredibly lucky to secure Ross’s services for six weeks People and Culture Manager cover. Ross brought significant experience and knowledge and I was impressed by how quickly he got the lay of the land and started making an impact. Ross has a great balance of professionalism and being down to earth. His range of skills meant he could keep the department running without disruption, manage complex issues while also adding value with his expert advice in areas we wanted to develop further. He had a great rapport with staff and very quickly built trust, we were also delighted what a great fit he was with our team, we absolutely loved having him around! He is very dedicated and was committed to going above and beyond to achieve what was needed during that time. Highly recommend and I look forward to opportunities to work together again in the future.
Mike Davy
– Chief Executive Officer, Police Credit Union
Having worked with Ross as a Senior Executive for nearly nine years, I can say how fortunate I am to have his counsel, coaching and support. He has a unique ability to connect with people, provide wrap-around care and bring out the best in them. He understands what it takes to develop a high-performance culture without losing the ability to care for people.
Lyndal Preston
– Principal, Change Management, Beca
Ross is a highly regarded HR professional who quickly identifies the issue at hand and works with leaders to agree the best way forward with the constraints of both policy and legislation. He has a warm and kind approach and remains calm even in the most chaotic situations. I would highly recommend having Ross working with you when you deal with scenarios requiring adaptive leadership.
David Chote
– Former Chief Sales Officer
Having sought assistance from Ross over a number of years I can confidently recommend his services. Ross has demonstrated an outstanding ability to navigate people issues with a calmness and empathy while focusing on the outcomes that drive the workforce. His very human approach to difficult situations serves to simplify the sometimes complex work environment. Working through people related work with Ross acting as a guide has not only been helpful it is a real pleasure.
Margi Luzanycia
– The Alchemist Collective
Ross is a compassionate leader who truly cares about delivering great outcomes with integrity, connection to others and with a big smile. He is blessed with great energy and resilience that is particularly useful to navigate crises and uncertainty both on a personal and organisational level. He can connect to people instantly and they trust him, which makes working with Ross a real joy. He is truly one of life’s really good people.
Rob Grindlay
– Partner, Generate
In my view, Ross and Jennifer are a highly effective team. I’ve had the privilege to work along-side them on social projects (over the past 10 years), and more recently on commercial projects. Their natural chemistry is highly enabling – they ask excellent questions – they embrace the input of others – and they’re clear in their decision-making and actions. Any workplace that values optimism and positivity, wrapped around a core of genuine skills will benefit from engaging Ross and Jennifer.
Tracey McLaughlin
– Senior HR Practitioner/Leader
Ross has extensive experience in people leadership, both through leading his own teams as well as providing expert guidance and coaching to other teams. Ross leads with empathy and compassion, and empowers people to reach their potential. Ross is resilient and has an incredible ability to successfully and seamlessly navigate teams through tough situations while also bringing about a sense of calm and order. Ross has a down to earth and practical approach, and his great sense of humour often shines through at just the right moment! He has an engaging and infectiously optimistic personality and adds a huge amount of value to any organisation he works in.
Paul Jarvis
– Major (Salvation Army)
Ross worked alongside me for four years as a volunteer as my principal advisor on HR/people matters. He showed calmness in the face of calamity and compassion in helping people through personal crisis. His insight, understanding of people, and his investigative skills were exemplary, and he brought resolution to many of the difficulties we faced. I recommend him as a skilled practitioner in the field of HR and mental health in the workplace and as an innovative enabler of problem solving.
CONTACT
Good things usually start from good conversations – please get in touch.
Phone: Ross +64 21 226 2804 | Jennifer +64 21 400 861
Email: ross@stillmcmillan.co.nz | jennifer@stillmcmillan.co.nz