OUR TEAM

Just as it takes a village to raise a child, realising our kaupapa is a collective effort. Our team of programme developers, trainers, and specialists work together to deliver impactful training and ensure our organisation remains sustainable — all in service of a future where every child in Aotearoa can thrive.

Programme Development

Elaine Dyer

A passionate advocate for peace, social justice, and violence prevention, Elaine develops programmes that build emotional resilience and strengthen the wellbeing of tamariki across Aotearoa.

A trained teacher, Elaine founded Action Education, which grew alongside Youthline counselling services, creating authentic, engaging, and effective youth programmes. She is a highly regarded trainer, facilitator, and sought-after speaker on violence prevention in New Zealand and around the world, having led alternatives to violence programmes in prisons and communities, developed professional training courses for facilitators, and authored international trainer manuals.

As CEO of Violence Free Waitakere for 14 years, Elaine initiated innovative campaigns and programmes across schools and communities in West Auckland. Since 2015, she has focused on programme development and teacher training.

Andrea O'Hagan

With a background in education and neuro-linguistics, Andrea, programme co-developer and teacher trainer, focuses on effective learning strategies and the nuances of effective teacher talk.

Andrea has taught in early childhood, primary, tertiary, and adult community settings. For three years from 2011, Andrea was the NLP Brain Coach in an Eastern Bay of Plenty secondary school, introducing teenagers to strategies to change their learning and behaviours. She has been a Teaching Fellow with the University of Waikato Faculty of Education since 2004.

She was contracted by the Peace Foundation for 14 years as the regional trainer of the Peace Foundation Mediation Programmes in Primary Schools, and the Peaceful Family Communication Programmes. She co-wrote the Peaceful Family Communication manual in 2010 and the Peaceful Teens Communication Skills manual in 2013.

Business Development

Emmy Nicol | Operations Manager

A passionate advocate for building resilient, connected communities, Emmy brings a creative, people-centred approach alongside a diverse skillset that includes systems design thinking, community building, relationship management, and facilitation.

As a mother to two young children, Emmy believes that equipping tamariki early with strong emotional literacy skills creates a solid foundation that will support them into adulthood.

In her spare time, Emmy enjoys making kai — a conduit for deepening her connections with friends and whānau here in Aotearoa and in her homeland of Australia.

Emma Bolwell | Fundraising Manager

Emma brings a forward-thinking approach to strategic fundraising, underpinned by her expertise in international development, which has guided her in creating lasting solutions for Aotearoa’s tamariki, whānau, and communities across both government and not-for-profit organisations.

Emma is passionate about impactful, evidence-based programmes that equip tamariki with the resources they need to strengthen wellbeing and reach their full potential.

As the mother of two energetic young daughters and a boisterous Labrador, Emma enjoys an active family life outside of work.

Majka Kaiser | Digital Communications Specialist

With 15 years’ experience in publishing, communications, and marketing, Majka draws on her digital storytelling skills and support of domestic violence survivors to share the kaupapa for a safer Aotearoa where children are protected, supported, and nurtured.

In addition to creating compelling digital communications, Majka applies her editing expertise to optimise Jade’s training programmes for e-learning delivery.

In her spare time, Majka enjoys communing with nature, volunteering with rescue dogs, mentoring at-risk youth, and working towards a Master of Counselling.

Matt Wall | Finance Manager

As a registered Chartered Accountant, Matt brings a wealth of experience in commerce, auditing, and accounting from his work both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

He now uses his financial expertise to support charities across Aotearoa through his own accounting, finance, and advisory business.

A keen sports fan, you’ll find Matt following any kind of sport when he’s not buried in spreadsheets — or spending quality time with his young family.

Training and Facilitation

Megan Gallagher

Megan is a passionate teacher, health educator, coach, presenter, and writer who has dedicated much of her career to supporting learners and educators in primary and secondary schools.

With a Master of Education specialising in teacher wellbeing, she spent several years with Life Education delivering health and wellbeing programmes across the motu, eventually moving into the role of National Education Manager.

Today, Megan brings her wealth of experience to Jade Speaks Up as a facilitator and also runs her own coaching consultancy, Ignite Your Spark.

Eve Tonkin

Eve Tonkin is an education leader, teacher, and author of children’s readers on emotional intelligence with Pearson, Learning Media, and McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions.

A passionate advocate for democratic education, she empowers teachers and education leaders to prioritise connectedness in children and foster authentic learning in their communities; she is a sought-after speaker at international conferences on the topic.

While principal of an integrated, democratic primary school, Eve supported and contributed to pilot programmes, You Good? You Good! and Jade Speaks Up, both of which she has also taught in the classroom.

Chris De La Mare

Chris is a professional coach, education consultant, advisor, and facilitator with over 20 years’ experience in teaching and educational leadership.

Driven by a passion for holistic wellbeing, he supports individuals and organisations as a qualified Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Facilitator, helping them develop positive, empathetic communication and effective problem-solving skills that strengthen relationships, deepen connection, and foster sustainable change.

When he’s not coaching or facilitating training programmes, Chris draws on his background in environmental science to work as an education advisor in sustainability and conservation.