Staff

Kelly Manning

Kaiwhakahaere Matua/Chief Executive Officer

Kelly strongly believes a leader’s role is to create safe, vibrant and collaborative environments where kaimahi can excel in their work for our communities. Kelly has worked in the social services sector since 1994, and along the way has studied youth work, training & development and Tikanga Maori. A lifelong learner, he gained his MBA in 2021. Kelly is married with two adult children and two grandchildren.

Roxana Taurima

Chief Operations Officer

Roxana holds a Bachelor of Counselling and has vast experience in family therapy, behavioural and pastoral support. Born in Chile, Roxana has called New Zealand home for 30 years and is married with two children.

Stephen Cairns

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resource Generalist with a background across multinationals, NGOs, and Iwi organisations. Stephen has worked within global HR frameworks, developing & implementing greenfields programmes. Stephen holds a BBS.

Zabeen Begum

Financial Controller

Zabeen holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. She has worked in various industries including manufacturing, hospitality and tourism. She has been working in NGO organisations for past four years.

Cassana Uilavai

Programme Manager, Care & Therapy and Kaitiaki Residential

Cassanna holds qualifications in Counselling and Education with a background working with at risk youth through volunteer community groups, and as a student counsellor in schools. Cassanna is a mixture of Maori (Nga Puhi) and Samoan (Iva and Salelevalu) and was born and raised in Hamilton before moving to Auckland 10 years ago and meeting her husband.

Chris Curry

Supported Bail and Vocational & Korowai Mentoring Programmes

Of Ngapuhi descent, Chris has a background working in his community through sport events and coaching, he has supported at risk youth on the supported Bail program since 2011. Chris is married with four children.

Jacob Paulo

Programme Manager, Care Support
Faleapuna and Faga

Driven by values of tautua (service) and fa’aaloalo (respect), Jacob is passionate about youth development and fostering a safe working environment through team-centric leadership. Jacob has experience leading teams with Reconnect in residential youth care across the Youth Justice and Care & Protection spaces and previous roles in the logistics industry. Proud Otahuhu native, Jacob serves his community as a sports coach and volunteer.

Dr. Julia Peters

Board Chair

A registered medical practitioner, Julia is currently the Public Health Medicine Specialist and Medical Officer of Health at the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS). Having held numerous governance roles, Julia believes
strongly in the values, aspirations and kaupapa of Reconnect.

Peter Bruell

Retired after a successful business career, Peter now supports of a range of charities covering health, education and the arts. Peter is married with two adult children and three wonderful grandchildren.

Lewis Holden

Lewis Holden is an independent analyst and Director with extensive government experience including as CEO of Manatu Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and senior leadership roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury, the State Services Commission, and the Ministry of Economic Development. He has represented New Zealand on the Board of the World Bank in Washington D.C.

As well as post graduate qualifications from Victoria University and the University of Canterbury Lewis has a Masters of Public and Private Management from Yale University.

Bobby Bryan

Bobby is currently Principle Advisor Maori for Te Hiringa Hauora (Health Promotion Agency) and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work. His background has involved being part of organisations committed to delivering cultural, environmental, health and social services, and providing kaupapa Maori-based services in the areas of family support and family violence, as well as the education and training of social workers.