Ola Ioane is the Head of Membership at Diversity Works New Zealand. He is drawn to work that reduce inequities and has a decade of experience providing solutions in the finance and health sector. With a degree in Commerce, a Master’s degree in Business, and a trustee role at an arts and equity focused charitable trust, Ola finds great value in understanding stories and experiences before co-designing solutions.

Ola has contributed to the strategic development of Pasifika focused initiatives to build a representative health workforce in Tāmaki Makaurau. He has also worked with clients in hospitality and not-for-profits to create messaging that improves organisational outcomes. With his experience in managing dynamic projects and transforming equity initiatives through innovation, he is energised to use his lived experiences of exclusion to convert conversations about inclusion and fairness into meaningful action.

Ryan is a second year commerce student at Victoria University of Wellington and has been with Volunteering New Zealand for the past year and a half. He has previous experience in the volunteering sector through volunteering for the Mental Health Foundation, organisations such as VIBE, and assisting university clubs such as Thursdays in Black with their operations. Ryan is a strong youth advocate, pushing for greater rangatahi voice across Aotearoa.

Jonathon Hagger is the Chief executive at Rotorua Community Hospice. He has been in this role for 3 years and enjoys it immensely. Hospices have a strong reliance upon and appreciation for volunteer workforce. Jonathon himself volunteers in various ways including as Treasurer for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand and is a guide for disabled athletes who run as part of Achilles International New Zealand . Prior to his current role Jonathon worked in a student association which relied on students as volunteers

Jehan will be speaking at the 20th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner.

Jehan Casinader is obsessed with great Kiwi stories.
In 2020, he was named “Broadcast Reporter of the Year” at the Voyager Media Awards, for his extensive coverage of the Christchurch terror attack. In 2018, he was named “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards.
Jehan has worked in the fast-past world of primetime TV for more than a decade. Most recently, he spent four years as the youngest-ever correspondent for TVNZ’s flagship current affairs programme, Sunday. Previously, he reported for Seven Sharp, Close Up and Breakfast.

Rose Hiha-Agnew is programme director for the National Action Plan for Community Governance, supporting the detailed design, planning, development and roll-out of the plan. Rose brings to this role extensive experience in management and governance across iwi, community and governance organisations. During her career in local and central government Rose has led environmental, Te Ao Māori, sustainability and infrastructure large-scale transformational programmes. This has included management of around $20 million in partnership investments with iwi and communities across New Zealand. Rose’s governance experience includes chairing Keep New Zealand Beautiful and co-chairing the Endangered Species Foundation. She is passionate about sustainable, economic, cultural and environmental opportunities that enable cultural perspectives and inclusiveness which lead to positive community outcomes.

Rochelle is Pou Kaiārahi (General Manager) for Hui E! Community Aotearoa, a peak body for the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector. She is a senior leader with over 10 years’ executive management and leadership experience in the community, NGO, government and corporate environments. Rochelle has demonstrated a passion for philanthropy while playing a pivotal role in building, supporting and driving community initiatives. She has showcased her commitment towards honouring the core values and principles of New Zealand Aotearoa’s cultural diversity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and everything that encompasses the New Zealand spirit.

Michelle brings a valuable mix of management and leadership skills, and the ability to work collaboratively and innovatively. She is well known and respected within the sector and is passionate about increasing recognition for the value and impact of volunteering. Michelle has a background in communications, marketing and community engagement, and volunteer leadership. She has previously worked for a social enterprise, in the public sector and within the publishing and training industries and holds several governance leadership roles in the community sector.

Latu runs his own consultancy and is involved with community in a big way. Latu advocates for Pasifika and Maori families to help meet educational and wellbeing outcomes. Latu loves to support youth and volunteers where he can to build youth workers in Porirua. Latu is passionate also about delivering neuroscience brain development and also parenting strategies to build more understanding around parenting children.Latu is a sole parent of three teens.

Sarah Stuart-Black joined New Zealand Red Cross as the Secretary General on 07 December 2020. Previous to her current role, she was the Deputy Chief Executive and held the statutory role of Director Civil Defence Emergency Management in the National Emergency Management Agency, which was established on 01 December 2019. Sarah was appointed the Executive Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management in December 2014. She joined the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management in 2003 and held a number of different roles during her time with the Ministry. Sarah has had a diverse range of experience within New Zealand and England, as well as Ethiopia, Niue and the Solomon Islands. She was a member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment & Coordination Team for nine years and has represented New Zealand at a variety of international forums, bilateral, regional and global meetings, exercises and forums. Sarah has published a number of papers in international journals and has co-edited three books.

I am a young adult who grew up here in Wellington. I am passionate about using the skills and talents I have to create community and journey alongside people from hardship to wholeness. After completing a social justice gap year in 2019 through the NZ Church Missionary Society, I started a job at the Wellington City Mission. I am currently doing a youth internship here. As apart of this I am looking into youth engagement in the volunteering space. Alongside this I do youth work in Porirua.

Anjum Rahman is the Project Lead of the Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono, an organisation working on creating a stronger sense of belonging through connections and collaboration. She is a chartered accountant with over 25 years’ experience, and a Trustee of Trust Waikato, a major funder in the Waikato Region. Anjum is a member of international committees dealing with issues of terrorist and violent extremist content online, being a co-chair of the Christchurch Call Advisory Network and a member of the Independent Advisory Committee of the Global Internet Forum for Countering Terrorism. Anjum also commits to various volunteer roles in the community. She is a founding member and current media spokesperson of the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand, a leading voice before and after the Christchurch Mosque attacks. She is a founding member and was a long-time trustee of Shama, Ethnic Women’s Trust, a member of the Waikato Interfaith Council, and a trustee of Hamilton’s community access broadcaster, Free FM.

Anisha is a leader of volunteers at Whānau Āwhina Plunket, and also supports Volunteering New Zealand’s policy and strategic work. She has experience in non-profit and volunteer management. Her qualifications are B.A. in Economics, Masters in Business and Management, and Certificate in Public Policy Analysis.  Anisha have a particular interest in public policy analysis and harnessing inclusivity within the policy frameworks. she is passionate about bringing her skills and expertise to foster VNZ’s advocacy work and help improve the volunteer landscape within Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Berenice Langson has an extensive background working with volunteers and has worked
with various Not for Profits and NGO’s over the past 25 years. Berenice’s career includes volunteer leadership roles at Hospice West Auckland and Heart Kids New Zealand. Currently, Berenice is the National Team Leader and Volunteer
Coordinator in Tauranga for IHC New Zealand.

One of her greatest achievements was being the recipient of the inaugural Volunteer
Engagement Award in 2018. This Award offered by Volunteering Auckland, is in recognition
of ‘Outstanding Leaders in Volunteer Engagement’.

Berenice’s passion lies in making a positive difference in the communities that she serves
and is extremely honoured to be part to Pivot Conference 2021 working group.
Blind Low Vision NZ volunteers are a diverse group of people who provide support with Technology, Recreation, Fundraising, Guide Dogs, Collage Book Production, Library, Accessible Formats, Administrative functions and Vision Support. They complement a wide range of services to empower people who are blind, deaf blind or have low vision live the life they choose.

Volunteering it’s in my DNA – I have been volunteering for nearly four decades and am so fortunate that my employment is as Coordinator/Kairuruku with Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury/ Te Rōpū Tūao I te waenga o Waitaha. I was brought up with volunteering just being something our family did. Today I volunteer as a Civil Defence Volunteer, a Branch member with Red Cross and a Caring Caller with St John. Lately I have been volunteering with short term event volunteering such Op-Protect, the Poppy and Star Flight, fundraising for Pink Ribbon and helping at the Pop Up Penguins Cholmondeley Children's Centre. While contributing to my community, helping make a difference I am rewarded for knowing I am making a difference and the buzz I get from volunteering.

In my work I get to meet so many incredible volunteers and wonderful organisation and assist them with trainings, advocacy, providing resources, arranging recognition opportunities and helping volunteers find a volunteering that is rewarding for them.

Currently, I have the exciting role of project managing Reimaging Volunteering project at New Zealand Red Cross, creating a strategy for now and into the future. I have more than 10 years’ experience working in the Community Development field and managing some amazing volunteers to enable programmes and services in the local community. Recently, I have been managing the local programmes and volunteers in Wellington Region for the New Zealand Red Cross.

UK born Gillian has worked for Volunteer South - Central Lakes since its inception in 2011, balancing work with looking after her two children. She has worked with volunteers for over twenty years in a range of roles including full time volunteering, offender programmes and social service settings. She volunteers herself as one of two Volunteer Managers with The Wanaka Trail Ride. Based in the South Island's Central Lakes, Gillian loves working in this vibrant part of the country with such a range of exciting, meaningful and rewarding opportunities for volunteers to get involved in. She is passionate about everyone being able to volunteer no matter what their background, experience or circumstances. She is enjoying her involvement in the PIVOT working group, working alongside such a passionate team and seeing their planning come to fruition.

Heidi career in the voluntary sector spans 15 years and 2 countries. She wears two 'hats', working
for Volunteering New Zealand and for Volunteer Wellington. She has a real passion for all things volunteering and when she's not at work, you'll find Heidi...volunteering! Heidi was delighted to lead the conference content working
group, which provided VNZ with guidance and suggestions for Pivot 2021.