Team members

aditya.kundalkar@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: he/him

Ādi is from Mumbai and he enjoys hanging out in spaces where storytelling, strategy and accessibility come together. While improving digital experiences, he’s looking for ways to make them a little clearer, a little kinder, and a lot more useful. He’s on a quiet mission to make the internet a little easier to navigate, one page at a time.

amanda.wickman@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Amanda is from Auckland and has a background in communications and marketing, primarily within the not-for-profit sector.

astley.nathan@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: He/him

Astley has whakapapa back to Te Tai Tokerau and Waikato, raised in Auckland. He studied Māori Media at university and has a background in television & radio broadcasting.

ayesha.ahmed@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Ayesha is from Auckland and has experience in technology implementation, process improvement, and supporting purpose-driven organisations.

 caryn.yachinta@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Caryn was born in Jakarta, and has a background in Development Studies, research, and community initiatives with diverse groups.

Chloe.Skeggs@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: she/her

Chloe was born and raised in New Zealand. Her background is in communications and marketing, predominantly in the not-for-profit sector.

chris.taylor@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: He/him

Chris is from Birmingham in the UK and has a background working in fundraising and marketing for charities.

claud.ibbotson@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: They/them

Claud is from Tāmaki Makaurau and has experience working in both government and NGO mental health policy and operations

dinah.gabriel@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Dinah is from the Philippines, and has a background in Business Management.

ella.francis@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Ella is from Auckland and has experience working and managing Fundraising and Communications for charities.

emma.crawley@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Emma is from Auckland and has a background in not-for-profit management, workplace wellbeing, HR and counselling.

fee.tamani@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Fee is from Fiji with a degree in psychology, criminology and public health, and working experience spanning community engagement, administration, and operational coordination.

gabe.cooper@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: He/him

Gabe is a Marketing professional from Wellington with experience in the mental health non-profit sector.

jess.manson@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Jess is from Auckland and has a background in communications, public relations and media.

jilly.james@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Jilly is our social media specialist.

judith.wesley@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Judith lives in Tāmaki Makaurau and has a varied background studying languages and working in the travel industry prior to MHF

kirsty.thomas@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Before joining the MHF, Kirsty worked for many years in communications roles in the not-for-profit sector, including at the Heart Foundation and Child Cancer Foundation.

Kylie.Ryan@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: she/her

Kylie has a background in social work, health promotion and public health, with more than 25 years' experience across the community, education and mental health sectors. She's passionate about creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive, with a particular interest in prevention, youth mental health, workplace wellbeing and strengthening community-led approaches to mental wellbeing.

lucy.jaine@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Lucy is from the UK and hasbeen living in Aoteroa since 2013. Her background is in HR/P&C, beginning in recruitment both in-house and agency and now predominantly in the "do good", not for profit space.

021 998 949

mark.wilson@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: He/him

Mark is originally from Christchurch, but has been living in Auckland for the past 25 years, and his background is in PR and more recently, media.

nakisha.tau@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Nakisha is from Te Tai Tokerau and has a background working in public health initiatives.

olivia.stapleton@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Olivia lives in Wellington and her background is in public health policy development.

robyn.king@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Robyn is from Ireland and her background is film & TV production and digital strategy. 

rochelle.mcgill@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Rochelle is originally from Te Wai Pounamu (South Island), and has lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for many years, working as a journalist before moving into communications for charities.

safira.abdat@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Safira lives in Auckland and has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Events and Business Management.

sarah.andrew@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Sarah is our office administrator, providing admin support across the organisation.

Sarah.Cotter@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: she/her

Sarah, originally from England has called Aotearoa home for 23yrs. Her background is in fundraising and engagement for several NZ charities.

Simon.Tate@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: he/him

Simon is from Tairāwhiti and has a Bachelor of Communication Studies with a background in, not-for-profit communication, content creation, and digital marketing.

siobhan.kemp@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Siobhan is from Tāmaki Makaurau and has a background in health promotion, harm reduction and policy advocacy focusing on mental health, wellbeing and gambling/substance harm

sophie.moore@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Sophie was born and raised in Rotorua and later attended the University of Auckland to Study Health Science and Commerce, majoring in Health Promotion, Marketing and Management.

stephanie.brown@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Steph is from Auckland and has experience in marketing and communications across the not for profit, government and education sectors.

Tihana.Babic@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: she/her

Originally from Croatia, Tihana has been living and working in Aotearoa since 2016. She has a background in marketing and communications, spanning both the private and non-profit sectors.

Vanessa.Matson@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: she/her

Vanessa is from Auckland, and has several years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, sector. Working predominately in the Individual Giving space, managing appeals and single gifts along with regular giving acquisition and retention programmes.

virginia.brooks@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Virginia is from Auckland and has a background in education and counselling, with lived experience of suicide loss. In her my spare time she helps run Solace, Auckland's peer support group for suicide loss.

wharepaoro.christie@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: He/him

Whare is from a small community called Te Kao in the far north and the majority of his work is Social Work and Facilitation.

zooey.Neumann@mentalhealth.org.nz

Pronouns: She/her

Zooey lives in West Auckland and has a Masters in Political Studies and a background in educational publishing.