Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. — Helen Keller

A MESSAGE FROM SARAH DOWIE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

I am thrilled to lead a passionate and empathetic team who are motivated to build resilience in our community by delivering quality services designed to help tamariki, rangatahi, tangata whaiora and whanau. For the past 46 years, our organisation has walked alongside countless individuals and whānau in their mental health journey; ensuring they achieve milestones in their health and life goals and assisting with advocacy for whānau and/or their loved one.  Able Minds is an inclusive organisation that works across a breadth of mental health areas through one-on-one or group peer support, in the home, at our centres, or virtually, which means our clients have equitable access to help, whenever and however they need it. I am very proud of all that Able Minds has achieved for our people and the community.
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SARAH DOWIE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
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Sarah Dowie is a fierce advocate for the provision of mental health services in the community. As an ex-politician with a seat on the Health Select Committee, and a campaigner for local health initiatives, Sarah has brought these skills and life experience into her leadership role to expand services, increase Able Minds’ reach and oversee the delivery of quality services at grass roots level.  With an LLB, BSc and GradCert (AppMgmt) Sarah combines her legal and scientific expertise with her management skills to bring people together to improve the wellbeing of those in need. 
RACHEL HARBROW
OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Being part of Able Minds team since 2014, Rachel is a strong believer in being the fence at the top of the cliff not the ambulance at the bottom.  With a background in process improvement and operational efficiency, Rachel ensures compliance with industry standards while driving improvements in performance, service delivery and fostering a supportive team environment.  Passionate about making a difference, Rachel leverages a strategic mindset to align operations with organisational goals to achieve positive social outcomes.
JOHN ROMANO
PRACTICE MANAGER - WHĀNAU SUPPORT
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With an impressive forty years’ experience as a fully qualified and registered social worker, Johnny brings a wealth of expertise to his role as practice manager. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, Johnny has worked across various social work disciplines, including twenty-three years advocating for, and supporting individuals in general psychiatry and forensic settings. As an integral part of the Able Minds team since 2019, Johnny is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience and committed to delivering professional support and guidance to empower the team and families he works with.
PANIA TULIA
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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As a highly skilled qualified registered social worker with 20-plus years’ working alongside whanau and community organisations throughout the Otago/Southland region, Pania is a passionate advocate for social justice and change in the health and disability sectors.  Pania’s areas of expertise include child advocacy, disability, mental health, addiction and in supporting individuals and whanau towards mana motuhake (self-determination, independence).  As Workforce Development Manager, Pania ensures staff have the tools, education, and skills needed to ensure best practice frameworks in service delivery that will enhance the work they do alongside our tamariki, rangatahi, whanau and tangata whaiora.   
ALYSIA OWEN
TIMEOUT CONTACT MANAGER
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Alysia is a qualified SWRB and ANZASW social worker with over nine years’ experience in managing and facilitating supervised contact services. As the manager for Timeout Contact, Alysia takes pride in working alongside children and their whanau members, by providing a neutral-based service which establishes and maintains family bonds and creates positive memories through the facilitation of safe and meaningful contact.
NATASHA BARRETT
PRACTICE MANAGER - TANGATA WHAIORA SUPPORT
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With a bachelor's degree in Social and Community Work, and over ten years’ broad experience as a registered social worker, Natasha is a fierce advocate for social change, social cohesion, social justice and representing those in need. Natasha’s management strengths lie in her ability to guide and support staff in best practice to achieve positive outcomes for akonga and tangata whaiora.​

DOMINIC LAL
MARKETING, EVENTS & FUNDRAISING MANAGER

With a bachelors degree in Marketing,  Management, & Māori Studies. Dominic has hands-on experience in organising and executing marketing events, both in paid professional settings and volunteer-driven initiatives. Dominic's strength lies in his ability to create meaningful connections, while bringing energy and creativity to every project pursued. 

BUSINESS SUPPORT
JANE VANDERPYL
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
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With a life-long commitment to improving mental health services for those who need support, Jane assists the management team with business processes, grants administration and writing, payroll, board support, and statistics reporting. Jane’s extensive experience includes roles in the NGO space, private sector, and DHB mental health services where she has worked in research, evaluation, service improvement and innovation. Here she gained her passion for designing systems to be more efficient, transferring these skills to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of Able Minds. 

Whānau Support

SUE MCKELLAR
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, DUNEDIN.
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As the longest serving staff member of Able Minds, Sue has dedicated the past eighteen years to serving Dunedin’s community. Working with both tangata whaiora (those seeking health) and their whanau, Sue ably combines her passion and enthusiasm with her extensive knowledge and experience in the mental health services sector. Sue most enjoys working collaboratively with whanau to achieve their goals and is proud to work with a team who share her values of care and empathy.
Sue’s qualifications include a BA in Abnormal Psychology, and Mental Health and Social Services Certificates.
REBBECCA PATON,
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, DUNEDIN.
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Rebbecca is a kind, resilient and dedicated person. Starting her support journey by helping those with physical and intellectual disabilities live their best lives, for the past three years Rebbecca has been a passionate advocate in supporting families to better understand their loved one's mental health challenges. As a child of parents with mental illness and addiction, Rebbecca has acquired skills through her lived experience, as well as through professional development qualifications that help build wellbeing in the families she works with. Rebecca leads by example to support people in navigating life’s struggles in a sustainable way.
JO GALLETLY
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, ALEXANDRA
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With over thirty years’ experience working for Social Services, Jo has spent the last twelve years working for Able Minds as a fieldworker supporting families/whanau affected by a loved one's mental health challenges and / or addiction. Jo has a special interest and expertise in suicide prevention – postvention, with strengths in empowering families to navigate positive outcomes through support, advocacy and education.
MARNE PHILLIPS
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, OAMARU.
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Marne brings years of experience in community support, hospital level care and age care facilities to the Able Minds’ team. With trust and empathy being her core values, Marne has fostered positive relationships with clients through her passion for guiding and empowering people to achieve their life goals. Marne is driven by helping people overcome life’s challenges and live a better life experience, by educating, helping whanau make connections, and understanding what their loved ones are experiencing. “He waka eke noa” (A canoe which we are all in with no exception)
TBC
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, QUEENSTOWN.
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MARLOES LEVELINK
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, GORE.
With a Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addiction), Marloes is a dedicated fieldworker, who offers community-based support for families and tamariki (children) navigating complex situations, impacted by mental health or addiction. Marloes delivers tailored interventions to address these challenges and promote resilient family dynamics. With a steadfast commitment to fostering trust, well-being and positive outcomes, Marloes demonstrates exceptional thoroughness and perceptiveness. Her work yields tangible, transformative results, empowering families towards healthier, more resilient futures.​
HOLLY BAYLIS
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, OAMARU

Holly is nearing her 3rd year of studying a bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology. She’s passionate about walking alongside people and empowering them to take on life’s challenges. Holly come’s from a lived experience background, building resilience in our community and understanding individuals is her core attribute along with empathy, education, and advocacy. Holly prospers for people to understand their true value’s and strengths. Providing  encouragement and support to reach desired outcomes.

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​ANGELA THOMAS
FAMILY / WHĀNAU SUPPORT WORKER, INVERCARGILL

Angela holds a Level 4 Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social Services) and is currently working toward a Level 5 Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Mental Health and Addiction). With over 10 years of combined experience through tertiary study, lived experience, volunteer roles, and industry work, Angela brings a compassionate understanding to her role. Her journey reflects a strong commitment to personal growth and supporting others in their own wellbeing journeys.
CLAIRE SCHERP
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, ALEXANDRA

While not every experience is entirely positive, there is always something positive to be found in every experience. I have learnt so much from the people and whanau that I have been working with and this leads me to continue learning and growing professionally so I can support whanau to achieve their desired outcomes.
ZAVANA MORGAN
WHĀNAU SUPPORT FIELDWORKER, INVERCARGILL
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Zavana has a passion for supporting families during challenging times to better understand their loved one. Valuing care and empathy, she combines her lived experience and professional 7 years experience in social services. Holding an early childhood care and education level 5 certification and Kahikatea level 4 in social services, she uses healthcare to empower families to build resilience, achieve their goals and get the most from life.

TANGATA WHAIORA SUPPORT

ARIJANA RUZNIC-BEYER
RANGATAHI & WELLBEING SUPPORT – DUNEDIN AND OAMARU ​

With a background in Creative Arts Therapy, Arijana explores how creativity, imagination and deep presence improve the quality of life.  
Arijana guides people to explore the parts which usually feel frightening, hidden or undesirable with care and curiosity. She considers safe space and gentle presence as optimal conditions for thriving. Her practice is trauma-informed.
Arijana considers connections with others, Nature and the community a vital part of recovery from trauma and adverse experiences. A deep interest in indigenous healing practices and ways of being informs her work. 
KELLY MATHIESON
RANGATAHI & WELLBEING SUPPORT –  INVERCARGILL. 

With a Level 4 qualification in Mental Health and Addiction, and foundational skills in empathy, compassion, and cultural competence, Kelly began her career with Able Minds as a Timeout Supervisor, which has now expanded to rangatahi support worker. In this role, Kelly delivers a programme focused on building resilience, autonomous wellbeing and mental health in rangatahi. Kelly is dedicated to creating supportive environments that empower individuals to thrive, an approach characterized by empathy, evidence-based practices, and a holistic understanding of mental health challenges. 
RACHAEL ROBERTS
TANGATA WHAIORA SUPPORT, INVERCARGILL  
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Passionate about building tools for wellbeing and resilience in our community, Rachel creates opportunities for people to connect by utilising lived experience as a strength to grow and learn from. Rachael walks alongside her peers as they find their own pathway to a more self-determined and fulfilling life. 
 
 
SEBRINA SAYER
ACTIVITY CENTRE COORDINATOR, DUNEDIN.​

Sebrina has worked for over a decade in the medical field and has since shifted focus towards social health and wellbeing, pursuing a bachelor's degree specialising in mental health and addictions. Her goal is to support tāngata whaiora to live fulfilling lives, fostering meaningful connections with a strong sense of belonging and purpose. She is committed to empowering tāngata whaiora through self-determination, encouraging them to explore new and exciting activities which enhance their wellbeing.
 
KIRSTY FREEMAN
RANGATAHI & WELLBEING SUPPORT – QUEENSTOWN ​

Kirsty is committed to supporting and empowering her community. With a breadth of experience as a support worker and in various voluntary roles in both the UK and Aotearoa, Kirsty has been inspired by ongoing learning and professional training to further her education as a Registered Social Worker. She is currently integrating her studies with her work as a Whānau Support Worker, enhancing her professional practice through her academic pursuits
​​CORINNA DALE
ACTIVITY CENTRE COORDINATOR, ALEXANDRA.

As a dedicated social work student, Corinna is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. Corinna believes that everyone deserves a space where they can express themselves freely and feel supported. The quote ‘Social work is the art of listening and the science of hope’ reflects Corinna's approach to this vital field. With a foundation built on empathy and optimism, she strives to cultivate positive change, helping to navigate a journey toward healing and resilience​.

TIMEOUT CONTACT SUPERVISORS 

FIONA RAE
TIMEOUT CONTACT SUPERVISOR, DUNEDIN.
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Fiona is passionate about repairing parent-child relationships that have been fractured due to violence, addiction and separation. By facilitating supervised visits Fiona helps rebuild familial relationships in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
NAME
DESIGNATION
To be appointed
JASMINE HETARAKA
TIMEOUT CONTACT SUPERVISOR, INVERCARGILL.

Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Education with teaching experience spanning primary, bilingual, early childhood, and homeschooling. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social and Community Work, with a focus on empowerment, community connections, and integrated health and well-being. In addition to her role at Able Minds, Jasmine is a certified holistic practitioner, skilled in various modalities for personal and collective healing. She is also a Trustee for Tuurama Trust, Whānau Consultancy Services, and an active member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
AMY MAPP
TIMEOUT CONTACT SUPERVISOR, INVERCARGILL.

Amy comes from a five year background in age care, and has taken on this role as part of her journey toward gaining her bachelor's in social work. She is deeply passionate about mending and strengthening family bonds, and is dedicated to help individuals and their whānau navigate challenges with empathy and support.

​​Able Charitable Trust Board of Trustees

Rachel Bird - Chairperson
Brett Hudson - Chair Audit & Risk Committee
Rachel Bird - Chair Fundraising Committee
Mike Harte
Roger Leslie
Rachael Adams
Margot Hishon