Team at Volunteering NZ

Karishma supports Katie and Michelle in various project, financial and admin tasks at VNZ. She has been involved in a few volunteering roles and is excited to be working in an organisation that encourages volunteering. Karishma has a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration majoring in Marketing and Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology. 

Michelle brings a range of skills and experience including communications, marketing and community engagement, and volunteer leadership. At VNZ she works towards increased recognition for the value and impact of volunteering, and best practice volunteering practices. Before joining VNZ she worked for a Wellington Social Enterprise as the Marketing and Community Manager. She has also previously worked in the public sector and within the training industry. Her voluntary roles on the national executive team of Multiples NZ and as a Trustee of Bellyful NZ build on her previous experience leading a local membership organisation.

Taylor is the web developer for VNZ working on the VNZ website, InvolveMe, Student Volunteer Week, National Volunteer Week, the annual VNZ conference and many more projects. Taylor is a professional freelancer with a degree in Computer Science. Taylor’s website: www.taylorhamling.com

Ross completed a Masters in Experience and Service Design culminating in his ground breaking research Civic Circles. Ross specialises in youth engagement with Non-profit organisations. When Ross is not thinking of ways Volunteer organisations can engage more people in volunteering in their communities, he is volunteering his skills in community projects such as the Youth Aotea-Reo Project – developing an app for New Zealand youth which aims to provide youth support services in a more convenient way. Ross is also the President of the Multicultural New Zealand Youth Council. He also works as a consultant Service Designer in the LabPlus team in the All of Government Service Innovation Lab.

Caitlin has joined Volunteering New Zealand to help with the communications for National Volunteer Week 2019. She is passionate about volunteering, having spent much of her time throughout high school volunteering as a Pippin and Brownie leader. Caitlin is currently working towards a Bachelor of Communication at Massey University. 

Lauren is helping the team with communications material for National Volunteer Week 2019. She has a background in journalism, and has also worked in government and non-profit organisations. She is excited to help share the stories of volunteers working in communities across New Zealand.

Marcelo is an experienced ICT professional with focus on Business Analysis. He brings knowledge of digital transformation projects across complex enterprise environments. Whenever possible, he enjoys spending time with friends, and barbecuing on weekends.

Johann is leading the strategic review and writing of the ‘Recent Migrant Volunteering Strategy’, to be launched during National Volunteering Week in June 2019.

Johann is a Rhodes Scholar and postgraduate student at the University of Oxford. He completed his B.A. (Philosophy and Politics) and B.HSc (Public Health) at the University of Auckland. Johann has been involved in the voluntary sector for over a decade, with his most recent major role being Divisional Manager for St John Ambulance in Howick and Pakuranga. He is passionate about promoting diversity in the volunteering workforce and harnessing the power of ethical volunteering to achieve social justice.

Sarah supports various marketing and communication functions at VNZ – including the annual impact report, content creation, newsletters and campaigns. Having had extensive volunteering experience in the sector this role is a perfect fit for Sarah! Sarah has a Diploma in Marketing and a Bachelor of Design with Honours.

Erina Papp is an experienced organisational development and HR professional with a focus on engaging others to achieve results and turn vision into reality. She brings a unique mix of in-depth HR and senior management experience, coaching, counselling and community development expertise enable her to work with people to address both business and interpersonal challenges.

Felipe brings a wealth of experience in analysis, modelling and implementation of technical solutions with strong focus in adding value to organisational strategy. At VNZ Felipe’s been instrumental in delivering the 2018 Student Volunteer Week and the InvolveMe landing page/promotion website design. He provides ongoing technical support and advice around gathering requirements, designing and developing reports, dashboards and websites.

Anusha is the Senior Test Analyst for VNZ working on the InvolveMe and LeadMe tools. Her recommendations, in collaboration with the VNZ team, bring together more robust products and processes. Anusha completed her masters, majoring in Human Resource Management with a research merit and she holds a B.Sc in Information Technology.