Pope moved to New Zealand with his Kiwi wife after establishing a career in project management in the United States. But it was his background outside technology, specifically the communication and people skills, that got him into the information technology arena.
Pope completed a BA in communication at the University of Central Florida and a Masters in Theology and Christian ministry at the Regent University in the US.
“I learned small group facilitation while leading Bible studies. I learned the basics of matrix management by leading volunteers
“I found that I had a knack for organising things,” he says when he started working in various local churches in Florida as volunteer and organiser. He also honed his people skills during this time.
“I learned small group facilitation while leading Bible studies with teenagers. I learned the basics of matrix management by leading volunteers – just like your project team, you must motivate apart from line-management authority. In ministry I developed my public speaking skills and style that I use when speaking at conferences and training sessions to this day.”