Who We Are

Melissa (Ngāpuhi) is a qualified counsellor with over 15 years of expertise in the mental health, addictions, and family violence sectors. Melissa is currently the General Manager for SafeMan SafeFamily, a peer led professional service supporting Tāne, Wāhine and their whānau to be free from violence. She has held various roles, encompassing clinical, supervisory, and leadership positions in both Kaupapa Māori and mainstream social and health services.

Melissa is a passionate advocate for Māori rights and uses her leadership and clinical abilities to work towards the well-being of the community. She envisions a future underscored by equity, support, and empowerment. Melissa is deeply committed to collaborations that put the welfare and outcomes of Māori communities at the forefront.

Ann-Marie (RPN, MN, PGCertMgtSt) is the Co-Chair of the Board. She is a Registered Nurse with deep experience in acute mental health. She’s driven by a commitment to improving the social determinants of mental health and creating systems that promote equity and wellbeing. In her current role as Chief Operating Officer at Lifewise, Ann-Marie leads work that challenges traditional approaches and champions innovative, community-based solutions to complex social issues. Through her role on the board Ann Marie’s advocacy focuses on breaking cycles of harm, addressing family violence as a gendered issue and amplifying the voices of women. She enjoys working alongside an organisation that shares her vision: ending violence, empowering women and building pathways for change that disrupt intergenerational patterns of abuse. 

Stasha is a Board Trustee and senior analytics leader with extensive experience using data to inform strategic decisions that improve lives and systems. As Senior Manager of FCO Data & Reporting at ASB, she brings over a decade of experience across the health, justice and public sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. Stasha is deeply committed to data equity, upholding Māori data sovereignty and ensuring the ethical use of information. Through her board role, she contributes strategic insight, governance expertise and a values-driven focus on empowering women to live free from violence. 

Bella is a Board Trustee in her final year of a Law and Arts conjoint degree, majoring in Communications, at the University of Auckland. Of Samoan and European heritage, she brings a vibrant, younger Pacific perspective to the board. Alongside her studies, Bella has demonstrated strong leadership through her roles as a panelist on the Pasifika Waymakers Fund and as a member of the New Zealand Women’s Law Journal advocacy committee. She is also an active contributor to her community, serving in her church and engaging with the wider student body. 

Suzette is a Board Trustee of Māori (Te Ātiawa) and Pākehā descent and a community researcher, academic, registered social worker (RSW) and drug and alcohol practitioner (DAPAANZ). She holds a Master of Social Work and is completing her doctorate at the University of Auckland, focusing on mothers with substance use disorders in residential care. Suzette lectures in mental health and addiction at AUT and contributes to research on equity and responsiveness in community health and substance use treatment. Alongside her academic work, she is an experienced trauma and addiction counsellor and a part-time researcher at Higher Ground Drug Rehabilitation Trust. 

Tracey Thompson

Tracey is our General Manager and works alongside the dedicated team delivering life-changing supports to women affected by family violence. With extensive experience leading frontline service delivery, she brings strategic insight and deep sector knowledge to the organisation’s mission of empowering women to live free from violence. Tracey is committed to creating meaningful change through advocacy, collaboration, prevention, education and sector reform. 

Chand Guthrie

Chand, our Operations Lead (Bachelor of Applied Science – Psychology) brings over 15 years of specialist experience working within the family violence and non-profit sectors. She is committed to creating safe, trusting environments that strengthen wellbeing and improve client outcomes. Chand has worked closely with organisations, community groups and whānau to enhance safety and support pathways for wāhine impacted by family violence. 

Andrea Pichler

Andrea is our Intake Coordinator with over 10 years of experience supporting women affected by family violence. She plays a key role in helping women connect with and enrol in the most suitable programmes offered by the organisation, ensuring the process is smooth and accessible. Andrea works collaboratively with the wider team to provide compassionate and efficient support, guided by her strong belief that every woman has the ability to transform her life and live free from violence.