Our Team

  • Kerry Allan, a woman with shoulder-length curly brown hair standing against a teal background, wearing a patterned blouse with long, puffy sleeves, a dark skirt, a watch on her left wrist, and a ring on her right hand.

    Kerry Allan

    Chief Executive

    Enjoying a varied career across sport, recreation, and health sectors, Kerry is well versed in organisational strategic direction and oversight. Her passion for building and growing thriving teams enables Community Waitākere to nurture and support communities, so that people and te taiao flourish.

    Originally from Invercargill, Kerry earned degrees in Physical Education, Nutrition, and Biochemistry in Dunedin alongside gaining international experience in Australia and Europe.

    Kerry juggles family commitments whilst maintaining professional growth and a passion for outdoor activities, yoga, and Pilates.

  • Sarah Mikkelsen, a woman with light skin and brown hair in a bun, taking a mirror selfie whilst waving with one hand and holding her phone in the other.

    Sarah Mikkelsen

    Operations Manager

    Sarah has created a career in the not-for-profit sector, with a particular passion for enabling systemic and societal change.

    Her approach is led by curiosity to learn from and about others and to build meaningful connections. She brings this drive to steering all the intricate operational aspects at Community Waitākere.

    In her downtime, Sarah enjoys being with her family, gardening and wandering the local Hikurangi tracks. She also is the Head of the West Auckland chapter of Good Bitches Baking, using her love and skill of baking as a volunteer to lead hundreds of West Auckland volunteers!

  • Chris Burton, holding a large rainbow trout on a boat in a lake, wearing a Cap and waterproof jacket.

    Chris Burton

    Community Environmental Strategic Lead

    With an extensive background in education and physical activity, Chris inherently recognises the importance of physical activity and movement as a pathway to positive thinking and behaviour. He believes everyone should have the opportunity to engage in the outdoors in ways which suit them and their lifestyle, whether it be on the beach, in the forest, or hitting the urban pavement across Tāmaki Makaurau.

    In his role, Chris provides programme oversight including project development, implementing strategy, and looking for new opportunities across our areas of environmental work.

  • Aroha te Namu, a woman standing next to a large banner for the 2019 World Community Development Conference in Dundee, with paintings on the wall behind her.

    Aroha Te Namu

    Pou Whakataki Māori

    Aroha (Ngāpuhi) has lived and raised her family in West Auckland for over 20 years. As a kaiwhakawhanake hapori team member, Aroha makes a point of getting to know people kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) to learn and understand what people do, and how we might work together.

    Aroha’s mahi is interwoven with her cultural knowledge and understanding, guiding the Community Waitākere team to engage with and respond more effectively to our Māori communities.

  • Daena Walker, a woman with long dark hair wearing a black shirt and a green heart-shaped necklace, sitting outdoors among harekeke (NZ flax).

    Daena Walker

    Community Developer - Organisations

    Daena believes in the power of the people. When we have a group, working towards a common goal and with a shared understanding of one-another, anything is possible.

    With a background in education, community development, and leadership, Daena’s curiosity lies in helping people see and harness their strengths and abilities, unlocking the potential and power of collective action.

    Her current role supports the capacity and capability of community organisations and practitioners in West Auckland, with a focus on emerging leaders of small for-good organisations.

  • Bronwyn Smith, a woman standing behind an information booth with a green backdrop and black bats hanging above her, wearing a black shirt, a hat, and jewelry, smiling at the camera.

    Bronwyn Smith

    Community Environmental Educator

    An experienced primary school teacher and environmental educator, Bronwyn is passionate about creating ‘hands on’ experiences that encourage curiosity, wonder, awe, and connection to te taiao. Her aim is for rangatahi to understand the unique symbiotic relationship between us and nature that strengthens our well-being and provides essential resources for us to thrive.

    In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."  (Baba Dioum, 1968.)

  • Simon Vincent, a man in a blue shirt and shorts pointing at a whiteboard outdoors with bicycles and lush greenery in the background.

    Simon Vincent

    Community Developer - Climate Action

    Simon brings his community-led development skills to his role, helping people live lightly on Papatūānuku. He is passionate about working with community to provide healthy and active lifestyle options, which support people to realise the benefits of a fairer and more sustainable place to live, learn, work, play.

    In his spare time, Simon enjoys exploring the outdoors with his whanau; riding bikes, tramping, and camping.

    He oversees the climate action initiatives for Community Waitākere alongside supporting communities to understand and develop initiatives that respond to climate change.

  • Anna Berthiaume, a woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors near water, with the Sydney Opera House in the background.

    Anna Berthiaume

    Facilities Administrator

    Originally from Canada, Anna has made West Auckland her new home with her young family. With a passion for sport and engagement with local communities, she brings her innate ability to build camaraderie to her role.

    Anna is responsible for managing and actively fostering community use of Te Au o te Koopua, our shared workspace in Henderson. She provides a vibrant, enabling, innovative environment with suitable support services, information and learning opportunities.  

  • Close-up of Chelsea Oswin, a smiling woman with short brown hair, freckles, and wearing a floral top, standing against a plain white wall.

    Chelsea Oswin

    Community Social Media Administrator

    Chelsea brings a passion for her local community and a strong background in digital communication to her role. With a deep commitment to connecting people and fostering positive interactions, Chelsea manages our digital media channels to keep everyone informed, engaged, and inspired. She shares stories, highlights events, and promotes initiatives that bring us closer together, ensuring our community’s voices are heard.

    If you have something you’d like to share through our networks, get in touch below!

  • Shalema Wanden-Hannay, a woman standing outdoors in front of large green shrub, wearing black t-shirt and necklace, with trees and a hillside in the background.

    Shalema Wanden-Hannay

    Community Developer - Resilience

    Shalema recognises that strong, empowered place-based communities play a critical role in transformation towards greater sustainability, health, and wellbeing for everyone.

    Shalema and her extended whānau are deeply rooted in Karekare and have a long legacy of voluntary community service. Over summer they can often be found lifeguarding at Karekare or Piha.

    Shalema played an integral role in developing the Resilient Karekare Network and Plan, and led the Valley’s Cyclone Gabrielle response. She now does this in her role with us, supporting communities to understand and develop initiatives that respond to changes in our environment.

  • Lynnette van Nes, a smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a black top and decorative earrings, sitting at a table in front of a plain light-colored wall.

    Lynnette van Nes

    Community Developer - Neighbourhoods

    With 30 years’ experience in the community sector, Lynnette brings her passion for building local communities to West Auckland. Her passion lies in building the resilience of the local community by engaging and providing support, resources and professional development opportunities. She sees these as key steps on a pathway on which everyone can thrive.

    Lynnette has four grown children, all of which she home-schooled whilst pursuing her career, as well as taking on a leadership role for a larger home-school group.

Our Board of Trustees

  • Charlie Moore, a middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a checkered shirt and a plaid scarf, smiling in front of a plain light-colored wall.

    Charlie Moore

    Co-Chair

  • David Kenkel, a man with gray curly hair and a beard taking a selfie outdoors with green bushes and red flowers in the background.

    David Kenkel

    Co-Chair

  • Stephen Parker, a middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and light-colored hair, smiling while wearing a blue checkered shirt, standing in front of a plain off-white wall.

    Stephen Parker

    Treasurer

  • Moana Cook, a woman with curly hair in a bun smiling, wearing a striped shirt, standing in front of a colourful mural.

    Moana Cook

    Trustee

  • Headshot of Peter Young, a middle-aged man with a bald head, blue eyes, and a trimmed white beard, smiling and wearing a light blue checkered shirt.

    Peter Young

    Trustee

  • Repeka George-Koteka, a woman wearing a floral crown with pink, white, and green flowers and leaves, smiling in front of a plain background.

    Repeka George-Koteka

    Trustee

  • Renay Robertson, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair and a black dress sitting at a wooden table, smiling at the camera, with a bright, windowed background showing greenery.

    Renay Robertson

    Trustee

  • Penny Hulse, a middle-aged woman with short gray hair smiling, wearing a colorful, patterned blazer against a plain white background.

    Penny Hulse

    Patron