Gemma Livingston

Chairperson

Gemma has recently started a new role as a legal advisor for DLA Piper, moving on from leading KPMG’s human rights and social impact offerings in Aotearoa. She works with clients respond to the proposed New Zealand Modern Slavery Legislation, global modern slavery legislation and addressing human rights risks and opportunities in business operations and supply chains.

Gemma is an experienced human rights lawyer, Crown prosecutor and insurance litigator, and has worked as a commercial and criminal litigator across the public, private and community sectors within Aotearoa and Australia. She brings experience and insights across all areas of social impact including inclusion, diversity and equity and working with vulnerable communities.

Sarah Su

Secretary

Sarah has 18 years’ experience working across the public sector, most recently in management roles at Oranga Tamariki and Waka Kotahi specialising in performance and accountability.

Her previous mahi has focussed on preventing harm and exploitation in Aotearoa, in particular, labour and sexual exploitation. This has included the New Zealand government’s first Plan of Action to Prevent People Trafficking and Interagency Working Group on People Trafficking. Sarah has also represented the New Zealand government at national and regional forums including the Bali Process on people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime.

She was born and raised in Wellington, where she currently still resides with her family. Sarah is passionate about protecting our most vulnerable tamariki and rangatahi, which has drawn her to the important mahi of ECPAT Child Alert.

Karen Edwards

Treasurer

With over 20 years of experience in senior management, Karen has spent the last decade refining her skills in strategic vision, business transformation, and organisational setup. She recently completed her Master in Applied Management, with her thesis focused on Artificial Intelligence in accounting.

Karen began her career in the not-for-profit sector in 2004 with Special Olympics New Zealand and she currently serves as the Strategic Finance Enabler at the Pacific Feminist Fund. Her expertise includes strong technical proficiency in finance, accounting, organisational information systems and governance, particularly within the not-for-profit sector.

Karen takes pride in being an innovative thinker who embraces change through innovation and technology. She states, “My true passion lies in the not-for-profit sector, especially in working with human rights.”

Aisling Waldron

Board member

Aisling is the Senior Engagement and Innovation Advisor for the Digital Safety Group at Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs. She holds a master’s degree in Work and Organisational Psychology and has a diverse professional background having previously worked as a Management Consultant in Ireland before taking on various public sector roles in Aotearoa. She is passionate about reducing online harms with a particular focus in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and terrorism/violent extremism online.

She is also the General Officer for the Wellington Branch of the National Council of Women and has been a co-host of the Branch’s radio show and podcast, 'Conversations with Wāhine'. In her free time, she loves travelling, running and is an avid reader.

Jane Foster

Board member

Jane is a former Director of the organisation who now serves in a governance capacity. Jane’s experience in youth development spans active practice in Aotearoa and UK, and teaching at the University of the South Pacific and AUT. Jane was also Oxfams’s Country Director for the delivery of humanitarian and development programmes in Aotearoa, Tanzania and the Pacific.

Her active commitment to children’s rights and protection continues by delivering sexual exploitation identification and prevention methods trainings to social work, youth justice, community work and police professionals.

Karla Sanders

Board member

Karla Sanders is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sticks ‘n Stones, a national charity focused on empowering young people and preventing bullying. With over 11 years of experience, she has led authentic partnerships with young people, co-designed award-winning tools like the ICON app, and worked with organisations such as Google, Netsafe, and the Ministry of Education.

Originally a trained teacher with experience across three countries, she now lives in Central Otago with her husband and two children and is passionate about meaningfully involving young people in decisions that impact and affect them. She completed her Masters this year and is now contemplating further study. 

Karla is excited to join the board of ECPAT and strengthen her understanding of preventing the commercial sexual exploitation of children, particularly in raising awareness, collaborating with key sectors, and advocating for stronger protections for vulnerable children across New Zealand.

Lorna Murray

Board member

For the last 20 years, Lorna has held executive and CEO positions in charitable organisations in health and social services in Aotearoa. With a leadership background in mental health and addictions, she has been more recently involved in the design and development of cross sector systems to address some of the problems that our communities face.

Lorna runs a consultancy providing coaching and mentoring to organisational leaders as well as project management and support of public systems change. Lorna and her husband live on a lifestyle block in Northland with weekly forays to the big smoke of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ryan Hooper-Smith

Board member

Born and raised in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Ryan is a public servant with a strong passion for social issues. He studied economics and public policy at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University and is currently undertaking his Masters at Massey University, specialising in social policy.

Ryan has over five years of governance and advocacy experience across various policy areas and social issues including welfare and child poverty, public transport equity, and youth engagement. One of his most important contributions to governance was establishing a Youth Advisory Group and Youth Board Member position on the Board of Volunteering New Zealand, the peak volunteering body in Aotearoa.

Ryan is passionate about driving good governance in nonprofit and voluntary organisations, and is excited to be on the Board of ECPAT Child Alert.

Tomina Bentley

Board member

Tomina has almost 20 years of experience with the New Zealand Defence Force, with the last decade in various roles and projects in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. She is currently a Logistics Support Flight Senior Non-commissioned officer who undertakes policy development, training initiatives, operational advice, and budgeting.

Through her academic research, utilising storytelling and mātauranga Māori, she advocate for mental health, diversity, and social development, particularly focusing on empowering peri and postnatal mothers. Tomina's goal is to help them navigate challenges and reach their full potential in whatever form that takes for them.

Tomina took on this role as a way to continue gaining deeper governance knowledge and give back and serve communities in tangible ways. She aspires to collaborate with organisations to create policies, strategies, and frameworks that reflect both their values and the wider social sustainability of Aotearoa.

Eleanor Parkes

National Director

Eleanor has a background in human rights and international development. She completed her Masters research in Development Studies and is on the UNFPA Pacific Surge Roster as a Gender Based Violence Specialist in emergencies.

Her interest in human rights stemmed from her time with Amnesty International Aotearoa and she has since focused increasingly on children’s rights, taking on roles with the Aotearoa Youth Leadership Institute, Youthtown and Pacific Discovery.

Eleanor is passionate about the environment and strongly believes in the interconnectedness of human rights, environmental protection and secure livelihoods, leading to her give an intervention at the UN Environment Assembly and participate in the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child closed session.

After working in Southeast Asia, Eleanor studied human trafficking and is currently the Director of ECPAT Child Alert, working to end child trafficking and sexual exploitation of New Zealand children

Chillion Sanerivi

Youth Impact and Advocacy Officer

Chillion Sanerivi is a Youth Ecosystem Strategist, Youth Development Specialist, and Youth Innovation Practitioner. His work in social impact and change is rooted in Pacific and Māori indigenous knowledge and prevention systems, guiding his understanding of health and wellbeing. Chillion sees Youth Development as a profession that enhances mana, capable of reinforcing and complementing various intersecting sectors: Education and Training, Health & Wellbeing, Sports and Recreation, Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Participation.

In 2015, Chillion spearheaded a flagship initiative involving ten young people. Since then, he has mobilised nearly 300 young changemakers to address social issues they are deeply passionate about, reaching over 5000 individuals.

Chillion's educational background includes a Certificate and Diploma in Christian Ministries, a National Diploma in Youth Work, a Bachelor of Youth Development, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Leading Change for Good. Presently, he is on track to complete his Master in Change and Organisational Resilience in 2023.

Anna Britz

Engagement Facilitator

Anna has a background in psychology and sociology and has recently completed her Master of Psychology at the University of Otago.

Based in beautiful Tairāwhiti, she has frontline experience working with victim-survivors of sexual assault and years of experience conducting education and training programmes within various community members and leaders on the topic of sexual violence, social reform and sexual health.

Vivian Chandra

Engagement Facilitator

Vivian Chandra is a staunch advocate for equity and inclusion within Aotearoa. Whether it is working to dismantle the digital divide, or ensuring that human rights is at the forefront of any conversation, she is right there unpacking the systemic structures that hold all of us back.

She has had a multifaceted background driven by a deep-seated passion for creating positive change and fostering equity for all in Aotearoa. Vivian has worked primarily using a technology focus to enable equitable access, whether it is in education, working alongside kaiako (teachers) to foster the next generation, or alongside corporates and companies to embed better and more just systems and processes.

In her spare time, Vivian is a black belt in karate, and brings that commitment, drive and mental focus to all that she does.

She has jumped on board at ECPAT NZ to add a new technological focus to the programmes in order to better help our young people who are faced with new challenges and difficulties in an ever-changing world.

Livné Ore

Programmes Manager

An alumna of Te Herenga Waka ! Victoria University of Wellington, Livné holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Media Studies and Geophysics.

Since arriving to Te Motu Arai-Roa | Waiheke Island in mid-2018, Livné has been involved in a grants and operations capacity with Waiheke Resources Trust, an environmental for-purpose organisation. She also volunteers as a Board member of Home Grown Waiheke Trust and is a core member of Kai Waiheke, both of which centre around food resilience mahi.

Livné is delighted to be working for a human rights-focussed organisation and contributing to ECPAT’s worthy cause, having been an active member of high school and university Amnesty International groups.

Dr Natalie Thorburn

Research and Specialist Advisor

Natlie is a policy advisor and social worker working in violence against women. She is currently working as Principal Policy Advisor at Women’s Refuge. Her research background includes sexual violence, family violence, and sex trafficking/exploitation, including her PhD focusing on the experiences of young people exploited through forced participation in sex work in Aotearoa.

Ashiana Shah

Finance Officer

Ashiana has more than 20 years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector in financial management, human resources, grants funding and administration. She graduated from Unitec with a Graduate Diploma in not-for-profit management. She currently works for ECPAT NZ, LEAD Centre for Not-for-Profit Leadership, and Rape Prevention Education.

Ashiana is from Fiji and moved to Tāmaki Makaurau with her partner in 2008. When she is not working, she enjoys cooking, reading and watching documentaries.

Malia Manuha’apai

Intern

Malia is a third-year Criminology and Criminal Justice student dedicated to understanding the complexities of crime and justice systems. With a strong interest in child protection and human rights, she has joined ECPAT NZ to undertake a work-integrated learning experience. She has a deep passion for safeguarding vulnerable populations and contributing to the creation of a society where everyone can feel safe.

Through this experience, Malia aims to deepen her understanding of the challenges faced by children, contribute to the prevention of harm against them, and develop practical skills that will enhance her future career in criminology and criminal justice.

Ayla Sneddon

Marketing Intern

Ayla is a second-year Bachelor of Business student majoring in Strategic Management and Marketing with a background in the healthcare industry. She has also completed a Certificate in Christian Ministry, which has enhanced her communication and community engagement skills. She's eager to apply her skills to help amplify ECPAT NZ's digital presence and build meaningful community connections.

Our Team2025-03-20T18:59:28+13:00

About

Our Team

Meet our team! We have an incredible group of staff members, Board of Trustees, and volunteers.

Eleanor Parkes

National Director

Chillion Sanerivi

Youth Impact and Advocacy Officer

Anna Britz

Engagement Facilitator

Vivian Chandra

Engagement Facilitator

Livné Ore

Programmes Manager

Dr Natalie Thorburn

Research and Specialist Advisor

Ashiana Shah

Finance Officer

Malia Manuha’apai

Intern

Ayla Sneddon

Marketing Intern

Governance Board

Gemma Livingston

Chairperson

Sarah Su

Secretary

Karen Edwards

Treasurer

Aisling Waldron

Board member

Jane Foster

Board member

Karla Sanders

Board member

Lorna Murray

Board member

Ryan Hooper-Smith

Board member

Tomina Bentley

Board member

Gemma Livingston2025-02-07T18:01:40+13:00
Sarah Su2024-11-15T11:23:23+13:00
Karen Edwards2025-02-07T17:56:52+13:00
Aisling Waldron2024-11-15T12:02:01+13:00
Jane Foster2024-11-15T13:26:28+13:00
Karla Sanders2024-11-15T14:00:20+13:00
Lorna Murray2025-02-07T18:02:07+13:00
Ryan Hooper-Smith2024-11-15T11:59:48+13:00
Tomina Bentley2024-11-15T14:24:36+13:00

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