CRF - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder of ChangeMakers
- Patron
Adam Awad is a founder of ChangeMakers and has been involved in leading and developing refugee background communities locally, regionally and nationally, with over two decades of community leadership, management, strategic oversight and field experience in Aotearoa New Zealand. Adam is driven by the challenges of unlocking the potential of refugee background communities and, through professional and honest discussions, to achieve a best possible outcomes for everyone. He has a strong relationship with stakeholders, government and the philanthropic sector. Adam holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and is completing his postgraduate Diploma for Management of Not-for-profit Organisations.
Job Titles:
- Office Coordinator / Community Advocat
Job Titles:
- Office Coordinator / Personal Assistant to GM
Job Titles:
- Community Connector - Employment / Researcher
Shlama! My name is Lana, I am from the Assyrian community. I am a 21-year-old Health Psychology student at Victoria University. I have a strong passion for understanding the connection between mental health and the refugee experience. With my knowledge of Health Psychology, I aim to help refugees navigate the complex process of resettlement diaspora and adjust to their new surroundings here in Aotearoa.
My name is Mardiya from the Somali community. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and was born in New Zealand. It's such a pleasure to be representing the community as a youth and I hope to inspire more youth to be on different board groups too.
Megan Williams has worked in refugee law in the UK at a small human rights NGO, and in Aotearoa leading the Refugee and Immigration Legal Advice Service (RILAS) at Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley for nine years, with a particular focus on refugee family reunification and family violence visas. Megan now works at Community Law Centres o Aotearoa, the body representing all law centres within Aotearoa, as a law reform advocate in the areas of immigration and refugee law, social welfare and housing law, family violence and access to justice. She continues to provide legal supervision to the RILAS team and is a member of the New Zealand Law Society and the Auckland District Law Society Immigration and Refugee Law Committees. Megan also has a background in Treaty of Waitangi claims and settlement negotiations.
Ko Melissa Denzler tōku ingoa. Ko Ngāti Maniapoto, ko Te Rarawa ngā iwi.
Hello. I am delighted to be a Board member of ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum.
I come from a background in the education sector, having worked for the past 12 years as a Deputy Principal in 3 large secondary schools in the region. I worked closely with our refugee and new migrant community at my most recent school and established solid connections with CRF. I now work as an edcation advisor at the New Zealand Council For Educational Research. I look forward to supporting the mahi of CRF and the wonderful communities it represents.