We believe in the power of change.
The Alacrity Lab journey.
Founding Directors Krystal Black and Geoff Henley have worked together for two decades with a diverse range of clients and projects in the public and private sector.
Often their consulting experience started with addressing a client crisis. In a crisis, energy and adrenalin flow. A crisis focuses the mind and sharpens decision-making. The gap between thinking and doing is compressed. This total immersion feels like time is racing.
Every day, organisations face challenges and opportunities that are just as important to their future as full-on crises, but they struggle to definitively address those challenges. Strategies and plans emerge, slowly, and all too often end up on a shelf.
Krystal and Geoff have sought to harness the energy of ‘crisis mode’ and channel the learnings from these experiences into a more efficient and dynamic way of working. This is how Alacrity Lab was born.
The Alacrity Factor.
The Alacrity method is built on momentum and inspired by decades of experience in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities under pressure.
The approach is centred around a highly focused lab-type process that draws on the talent and insights residing within organisation and stakeholder teams, and translates these into ready-to-act programmes.
Whilst not quite the same as crisis mode, this approach leads to discovering that it is truly amazing what you can achieve when time is limited, the mind is focused and the process is geared towards decisive action.
Combining human connections, technology-based systems, data analysis, and real-life experience, Alacrity Lab helps organisations and project teams embark on their journey of change with energy, alacrity and purpose.
Capture the energy of crisis mode.
We are energetic, inquisitive, open and curious. We are Alacrity.
Krystal Black
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER
Email: krystal@alacritylab.co.nz
Phone: 027 579 7005
Linked In: Krystal Black
Krystal is an experienced professional with two decades of consulting experience, primarily in communications and stakeholder engagement.
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Krystal’s diverse career spans positions at full-service public relations firm Network Communication and strategic consultancy at HenleyHutchings, where she tackled challenges across sectors such as energy, agriculture, environmental protection, flood protection, and aged care.
Krystal excels in programme development for organisations of all sizes and continuously seeks innovative approaches.
She possesses the ability to bridge operational complexities with strategic insights and has a strong interest in leveraging technology for better outcomes.
Krystal is known for her talent in simplifying technical or complex information to resonate with key stakeholders and broader audiences.
Outside of Alacrity Lab, Krystal enjoys playing softball, indoor and outdoor netball, getting into a bit of DIY with her hubby Chris, and testing out her green thumb in the garden (making her first bottle of port from her own grapevine in 2022). She enjoys sewing and spending time with friends and family - including her beautiful German Shepherd, Kylo.
Geoff Henley
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER
Email: geoff@alacritylab.co.nz
Phone: 027 447 0447
LinkedIn: Geoff Henley
Geoff is a well-known and highly-respected facilitator and strategist, with a particular knack of dealing with some of New Zealand’s most gnarly challenges.
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With full-service public relations firm Network Communications and strategic consultancy HenleyHutchings, Geoff has worked with a wide range of public and private organisations in the agriculture, environment, infrastructure, science, welfare, health, forestry and freshwater sectors.
As co-founder of Alacrity Lab, Geoff is focussed on ensuring organisations and teams get from intent to action. He believes in creating plans that have a clear path to implementation – with designed structures, governance and funding arrangements - that enables action to happen.
In his spare time, Geoff spends weekends in the Wairarapa with his grandchildren, and enjoying his wife Helene’s gourmet cooking. He enjoys time on his road-bike, having cycled most of New Zealand (and many parts of Australia).
Nicki Stephens
LEAD NAVIGATOR
Email: nicki@alacritylab.co.nz
Phone: 027 440 8045
LinkedIn: Nicki Stephens
Nicki is an experienced brand and marketing specialist, working alongside public and private entities helping develop strategies to deliver positive outcomes.
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Previously an owner of Wellington-based Capiche Design, Nicki understands the New Zealand business environment and the importance of making sound decisions for great returns.
Her previous experience is a great fit for her role as Lead Navigator, working alongside Alacrity Lab customers to articulate their challenge and design the steps to change.
Outside of Alacrity Lab, Nicki and her husband Mark are developing a property at Ōhau in the Horowhenua. Her interests now include gardening – with the ride-on lawn mower a highlight. She’s also a bit of a golf fanatic – combining golf with travel in their motorhome.
