Staff

Dean Kelly

Chief Executive Officer

Of Ngati Whakaue descent, Dean has led Reconnect since February 2017. With a Master’s degree in Political History, Dean has held numerous senior leadership positions across the NGO and social sectors.

Roxana Taurima

Clinical Manager

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.

Kelly Manning

Chief Operations Officer

Kelly works across Reconnect to provide aligned, excellent services. Having worked in the social services sector since 1994, Kelly has studied youth work, training & development and Tikanga Maori. He’s currently completing his MBA. Kelly is married with 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

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.

Kerrie Blackmoore Freeland

Cultural Leader/Mana Whakahaere

Kerrie’s whakapapa is through the waka of Māhuhu-ki-te-Rangi and Te Arawa. She is of Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Scottish and Irish descent. A mother of six, Kerrie has worked with taiohi (young people), tangata hāua (otherly-abled) and whānau to Inspire positive modelling and influencing through matauranga Māori.

Adam Tibbotts

Programme Manager, Support Bail

Adam has completed study in Youth Work and personal training and is currently studying business and Te Reo Māori. A former professional basketball player, Adam is married with three children.

Cassana Uilavai

Programme Manager, Care & Therapy

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 10years ago and meeting her husband.

Katrina Misa

Programme Manager, Kaitiaki Residential and Care Support Taituara Tuhono

Of Samoan descent, Katrina has a background in youth development, mental health services and residential care. Married with two children, Katrina is passionate about bringing positive change and places love, respect and servitude at the base of her practice.

Jermaine Nikara

Programme Manager, Korowai & Vocational Mentoring

Jermaine has been with Reconnect since 2011 and is of Ngati Raukawa descent. Holding qualifications in youth work, he has worked extensively with whanau and rangatahi as well as tutoring in Alternative Education.
With a passion for community service and volunteering, Jermaine and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

Dr. Julia Peters

Board Chair

A registered medical practitioner, Julia is currently Clinical Director of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service. 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.

Aimee Bourke

With a background rich in public relations, Aimee currently manages the Provider Networks Contracts team at Southern Cross Health. Married with two children, Aimee has interests in health, education and community initiatives.

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.