Employment history
Samesame But Different, Programme Director, 2020 – Current
Aotearoa’s only LGBTQIA writers festival. Programme directing includes curating and developing the programme, liaising and preparing participants, and implementing the publicity for each festival.
Victoria University, Tutor, 2020
Tutoring under the direction of Dylan Horrocks for COMD335 (Comics and Graphic Novels / Pukawaituhi me ngā Pakimaero Waituhi), COMD231 (Illustration / Pikitia Whakaari) and COMD241 (Visual Narratives). Responsible for delivering the tutorials and marking both written assignments and presentations. This position required excellent communication skills, and the ability to work with a variety of students to delve deeper into the content of the course.
Neighbours Day Aotearoa, Media and Communications, 2018 – 2020
Neighbours Day Aotearoa is a collaborative campaign organised and supported by Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, The Mental Health Foundation, Christchurch Methodist Mission and New Zealand Red Cross. Thousands of neighbours, organisations, local government and local businesses have been involved, bringing neighbours together over the last weekend in March each year.
Out Loud, Project Co-founder, 2018
#OutLoud is a project inspired by #wearebeneficiaries, in response to the Government
Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. The aim of this project is to share the stories
and wishes of the queer, gender diverse, intersex, takatāpui, MVPFAFF or rainbow
communities* around Aotearoa’s mental health and addiction services. This involved
seeking stories from communities and coordinating artists to illustrate those stories,
as well as collating the art into a themed report and resource for both the Mental Health
and Addiction Inquiry panel as well as Mental Health and Addiction practitioners.
We Are Beneficiaries, Campaign Founder, 2017- Current
We Are Beneficiaries is a social media project using art to highlight the real-life experiences of beneficiaries and demand a fairer welfare system. This involves organizing and engaging other artists and writers to create and share over 200 pieces of art, as well as collating these experiences into a themed report that was given to the newly formed New Zealand government in 2017. This project gained international attention across social media and news sites, amplifying viewpoints which are often missing from public discourse.
Diversityworks Trust, Executive Assistant, 2013 – 2019
Working alongside social innovator, creative entrepreneur and performer, Philip Patston. Responsible for business administration, key lead on community projects and part of the coordination team for the Be. Accessible Leadership programme.
Affinity Services, Communications Advisor/Youth Consumer Advisor, 2012 – 2014
Responsible for the development and support of Affinity Services' communications. This included design and communications strategies for both printed and e-media, and to showcase the dynamic work of our organisation as we work to create and sustain health communities together. Working on an innovative project at the forefront of Positive Youth Development practices to set up a new youth-run, youth-led initiative to support young people's mental health and well-being in Auckland. Working to create positive changes within the mental health sector for the young people of Auckland.
Outline New Zealand, Administrative Assistant, 2011 – 2012
Responsible for manning the national community helpline, developing the weekly national OUTLine newsletter, and completing administrative tasks. Developed a national fundraising and awareness campaign for OUTLine and RainbowYouth. A frontline employee for OUTline, and thus the first contact for new service users.
Youthline Otago, Community Education and Same-Difference Coordinator, 2009 - 2010
Designing and implementing health and relationship education resources and programmes for young people. These roles involved coordinating and mentoring a team of volunteers, to deliver these programmes to young people. Working with a diverse range of young people in Dunedin, on youth-led initiatives aimed at building resilience, educating and empowering young people in our community.