Minister Louise Upston

Louise Upston is the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Social Development and Employment, and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. She has served as the MP for Taupō since the 2008 election.

Louise held a number of Ministerial roles in the Fifth National Government, including the portfolios of Corrections, Education, Land Information, Local Government, Women, and Tertiary Education Skills and Employment.

Dr Andrew Lensen

Dr Andrew Lensen is a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, specialising in explainable and interdisciplinary AI. His research explores AI’s social and ethical implications, with applications in ecology, legal decision-making, and more. Dr Lensen is an active science communicator, frequently contributing op-eds, interviews, and expert commentary on AI-related topics.

Hannah McKnight

Hannah McKnight (Ngāti Porou), specialises in supporting organisations to develop inclusive communications and engagement approaches. Her multi-faceted experience spans B Corporation leadership, Māori business, lecturing, and advising not-for-profit, education and hauora organisations on engaging with diverse communities. Hannah intimately understands that every effective kaupapa has one thread in common: engaged people at the centre, who feel valued and connected to a vision for a better future.

Tony Goodrow

Tony Goodrow is the President of Better Impact, a leader in volunteer management software. With a passion for enhancing nonprofit efficiency, Tony has spearheaded innovations that streamline volunteer engagement. His dedication to technology and community service has established Better Impact as a trusted partner for organizations worldwide, helping them to achieve greater impact through effective volunteer management.

Jane Zintl
CEO Ara Taiohi

Jane is a mum of 3, wife, cat mum, friend of Michelle, youth worker and in her past life a lawyer. Jane is passionate about Youth Work and youth development, and the difference young people can make when they are empowered by people of all ages. Jane has been instrumental in the development of the Youth Work Code of Ethics, and our national principles of Mana Taiohi. 

Moumita Das Roy

Moumita Das Roy is a cross-industry marketer with a wealth of experience in iconic global organisations. Recognised as a Creator to Follow and a Social Impact Top Community Voice on LinkedIn, she is a prolific content creator who passionately engages in Diversity and Inclusion, Social Impact, and Volunteering conversations. Moumita’s multicultural work environments and travels across seven continents through her work and volunteering, enrich her storytelling, making her contributions relatable and versatile.

Dayna Carter

Events and Ngā Kaihoe Āpiha Whakahaere – Ara Taiohi
Te Ati Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Apa ōkū iwi
No Whanganui ahau, engari e noho ana au ki Pōneke 

My mahi is supporting events of Ara Taiohi which covers Youth Week and INVOLVE which is the biennial Youth Development Sector national conference. The next one is in Ōtautahi 2025 so hope to see many of you there! My other pōtae which I am passionate about, is supporting Ngā Kaihoe, a rōpū and space for kaimahi Māori to connect, learn and lean on each other. 

My home space, I am a proud māmā of 2 have 2 kuri and I am on a massive haerenga reconnecting to home and my culture.
Mana Taiohi is something I live and breathe daily. I look forward to sharing this with you alongside Jane. Nau mai haere mai! 

Rose Challies

CEO Terranova Foundation
For 20 years Rose worked in Europe addressing a range of complex social and environmental issues, working with governments, large funders, NGOs, not-for-profit organisations and businesses across multiple countries. She returned to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2019, became a NEXT Foundation Fellow and now runs the Terra Nova Foundation, a new force for environmental action and change catalyst for people and planet. Rose has implemented social and environmental change through development of national policy, laws and standards, cross-sector strategies and practice, large scale collaborations and the effective resourcing of these for both social and environmental issues. Areas of impact include environment, protection of children, equity, diversity, human rights, anti-doping, data protection, anti-human trafficking, community-owned business, strategic philanthropy and impact measurement. 

Lynda Halverson

A very proud mother and grandmother to a large extended family, Lynda lives in the Waikato. She is an experienced social worker, practicing in South Auckland and in the Far North, practicing in physical disability, epilepsy and mental health. 

Lynda says “I loved the demand and the extension this work gave me as I learned about empowering individuals to be the best they can be, and as I worked through differing roles working with teams, empowering the team to be the best they could be.” These teams have been a mixture of volunteer and paid workers and all had so much to offer within their focus areas. Lynda has 15 years involvement in Lions Clubs International and is currently the Global Leadership Team co-ordinator for New Zealand.