MOMENTA - Key Persons
Coming from a mental health and wellbeing background, Ash is an empath through and through. Empowering people to reach their goals is what he loves to do, and he uses many tools to do so.
Originally from Wales, Ash has lived in New Zealand for the past 8 years. Outside of work he loves spending time making music, surfing and spending time with friends and family.
Beena comes from a varied creative background in Visual Arts, Transpersonal Art Therapy, Reiki and Health and Nutrition. Over the years, Beena has worked in people-focused industries as she loves the process of engaging and connecting. Getting to know someone in a holistic way, encouraging and supporting them gives her so much fulfilment. Beena has a passion for positivity and learning and loves sharing this with everyone. Part of Beena's health and wellbeing practices are yoga, reading, art, and spending time in nature. Beena embraces all her experiences with an optimistic mindset!
Bridie joins the Board of Momenta, bringing her finance experience as a small business owner here in the Bay of Plenty and in previous roles in commercial and corporate banking, both here and overseas. Bridie has many years of experience helping loved ones with disabilities navigate through life and our health systems, and she is excited to see and help support the special work that Momenta is doing in the community. Bridie loves living near the beach and the brilliant lifestyle it allows for raising her three young children. She aims to get plenty of camping in over summer with family, tramping with friends, and as many road trips as the calendar allows in her VW van.
Robbie has 33 years lived experience of disability and has worked in the disability sector for over a decade as a support worker, humanitarian documentarian, researcher, activist, consultant, and advisor.
In 2014, Robbie co-founded The Lucy Foundation (TLF), an Aotearoa-based social enterprise that supports disabled people into training and employment in the global coffee industry. Together with their partners, TLF has helped to create what is believed to be the world's first totally disability inclusive value chain of coffee - from farmer (Mexico) to consumer (Aotearoa NZ).
John is currently the Director - Disability and Inclusion at Ara Institute. Prior to this John spent 19 years in senior management and leadership roles across the health and disability sector and has held several governance roles in the sector. He has authored several academic papers looking at disability theory, policy, and support practices, with a particular focus on quality of life, education, and employment.
John enjoys spending time with his family in the outdoors, with regular tramping and camping holidays. He is a self-confessed "cricket tragic" and continues to play club cricket, as well as football in the winter. Reading is another regular past-time particularly in the areas of history, politics, leadership and social issues.
Keri is director of a Tauranga-based content creation agency called All the Words. She runs a team of expert storytellers who use words, video, audio, still images and a mountain of creativity to help businesses and organisations connect with the people who matter to them. As a former journalist, Keri brings a deep curiosity to her role on the Momenta board. Keri grew up in the Bay of Plenty and moved home with her family in 2011. She enjoys her husband's amazing chef skills, a bit of tramping, belting out some heartfelt but woeful karaoke, churning through audiobooks, and how furiously her garden grows in our wonderful climate.
Job Titles:
- Social Impact and Communications Lead
Kerry is tasked with working in collaboration with thought leaders from across the Bay of Plenty keen to shift societal barriers for people who experience disadvantage. As well as using modern story-telling methods to create greater awareness and broader thinking about disability inclusion in the workplace, boardroom and community. Kerry is motivated by the opportunity to work in a team aiming for greater social change. Whenever she gets the chance, Kerry enjoys getting outside and making the most of what is on offer in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, although the types of activities have changed somewhat since welcoming her daughter, Evie, in early 2021.
Hey there, I'm Kristen, a proud Kuki Airani/Tahitian with a heart for family and building connections. I was born and raised in Dunedin amongst the rich tapestry of my Cook Island Community. I'm passionate about spending time with my whanau, my husband, Wiremu, and my six wonderful kids.
My background in Personal Training and Nutrition has come from my love of sports and cultural performances, and I love nothing more than being in the kitchen whipping up good kai for my whanau. I'm also the proud joint business owner of Kanuka Wellbeing and Leadership with my husband.
Job Titles:
- Communications Lead - Maternity Cover
Maria will be covering Kerry while she is on maternity leave from August 2023 - 2024. She has been working closely with Kerry on marketing strategy and planning, specifically building awareness and relationships with local businesses to break down barriers and challenge myths about employment opportunities for those with lived experience of disability. In her spare time, you'll find Maria running on the trails, spending quality time with her family, indulging in delicious food, or getting stuck into baking and cake making.
Michael joins the Momenta Board as part of the Aspiring Directors Programme. Currently a Digital Accessibility Specialist at Ministry of Social Development and founder of Accommodationz Ltd/MyAccom - a community driven online peer-to-peer marketplace that connects the access traveller with hosted accommodation that meets their access needs and an environment of awareness, belonging and dignity. Previously an Adaptive Technology Assessor and trainer with over 18 years' disability rehabilitation expertise. Michael enjoys keeping fit and living life to its full potential; completing the New York City Marathon 10 times an ode to this mindset!
I'm a proud Samoan man born and raised in Porirua, Wellington, and lucky enough to be married to an absolute Māori Goddess. Together, we're raising two incredible boys. Outside the family hustle, my heart beats to the rhythm of music-I'm passionate about writing and singing music and play multiple instruments. I also have a soft spot for rugby! My work journey is, to date, diverse and includes a mix of welding, building, painting, crowd control, noise control, and even burglary response. However, I've found the most fulfilment in roles like managing youth mental health at the Pacific Island Community Trust, serving as a program coordinator in youth development (from disabled youth to youth justice), and volunteer work in a Youth Development Organisation when I was a teenager. My life goal? I want to leave every situation better than I found it, with a positive impact lasting long after I've moved on!
Originally from Whangarei, Sabrina made the moved to Tauranga to work with Momenta. She is passionate about change and loves working with people to help them improve the quality of their lives. In her spare time, Sabrina loves to explore new places and is always keen to try new things and learn new skills. She loves being outside, nature walks and beach trips are always a yes for Sabrina!
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Manager of Environmental Regulation at Tauranga City Council
Sam is the manager of environmental regulation at Tauranga City Council. He's a lawyer by profession so brings to the Board research, analysis and listening skills, as well as his management experience. He is a rugby referee and loves to get out and enjoy Tauranga with his wife and two sons. In 2017, Sam helped set a Guinness World Record for the world's longest Chinese whisper by supporting Hearing Support Bay of Plenty to ensure all the requirements for an official record were met by the 1,792 primary school students involved.
Shay was born and raised in Tauranga and loves to serve the community he grew up in. Coming from a humanities background studying through Victoria University, Shay champions the right of every person to live the most fulfilling and independent life possible - however that looks for them, working roles that advocate for people coming from a diverse range of backgrounds. In his spare time Shay enjoys developing his knowledge of people, history, and culture as well as training and developing his body in the gym.
While previously devoting her time within Education, Shelley is excited to move into a completely different sector and the learning and challenge that this encompasses. The essence of what Momenta does, working with people to pursue their dreams and goals, aligns with her values and commitment to serve the community in which she lives. Shelley has a heartfelt connection to Tauranga, being born here and lived here all her life. She also feels extremely fortunate that her two daughters still live here with her four beautiful grandchildren, which is who she loves to spend as much time as she can with.