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, youth and whanau-focused service. He 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 2 adult 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.

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.

Chris Curry

Programme Manager, Supported Bail

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 4 children.

Taylor Ryland

Programme Manager, Korowai Mentoring and Vocational Mentoring

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is driven by her motivation to influence positive outcomes for our young people. Taylor has previously worked alongside at risk rangatahi and has a background in training and recruitment within Reconnect. Raised in South Auckland, Taylor has passion for creating and promoting a culturally responsive, holistic approach to working with rangatahi and their whānau.

Natalie Redstone

Programme Manager, Care Support and Kaitiaki Residential

Natalie has a Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology and holds a Masters in International Development. She spent much of her career working in community services and humanitarian operations internationally, before turning to focus on improving outcomes for tamariki in Aotearoa. Natalie has a passion for the delivery of high quality, child-focused and whakapapa-centred care. She is a proud parent of two young children.

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.

Aimee Bourke

Aimee has an extensive working background in the not-for-profit healthcare sector, in media and public relations. She is the General Manager of Auckland Radiation Oncology but spent the past 17 years at Southern Cross. Originally responsible communications, media, issues management, government relations, and charitable initiatives, in 2016, she took over management of provider contracting team with a focus on quality, cost and experience of patient care throughout the sector. Outside of her work-life, Aimee is married with two teenage children.

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.

Anita Samu

Anita is a New Zealand born Samoan and qualified actuary with over 15 years of financial services industry experience. Born and raised in Papakura, where she still lives today, Anita is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities that raised her through the amazing work that Reconnect does for our young people.