Meet our Heart Kids NZ team, dedicated to supporting children, young people and whānau impacted by childhood heart conditions across Aotearoa New Zealand.
From our trustees and management team to our family support and engagement teams, the Heart Kids NZ team provides free, lifelong care, guidance and connection for heart families at every stage of their journey.
Samir is a Heart Adult member since 2018 and has undergone two open heart surgeries. Samir’s commitment to Heart Kids NZ is deeply rooted in local service, having previously served on the Heart Kids Canterbury Branch Committee. He is passionate about walking alongside families to ensure they feel supported, connected, and throughout their lifelong heart journeys.
Samir has 30 years of working experience with the building industry construction sector, he is a Technical Director in Structural Engineering at Beca and has and current holds a number of governance roles within the NFP and Building Industry sector.
Renée contributes strong capability in governance, risk awareness, and health and safety oversight. She is actively involved in the Selwyn business community through Selwyn Women in Business, the Selwyn Business Group, NZ Business Mentors, and as a Director on the Board of the New Zealand Manufacturers and Exporters Association (NZMEA). Her governance style is grounded, people-centred, and focused on ensuring organisations operate safely, responsibly, and sustainably.
Her connection to Heart Kids NZ is deeply personal. Renée's husband is a heart adult, and his mother was involved with Heart Kids Canterbury. When their child was born with a heart condition, Heart Kids became part of their own family journey. Serving on the Board is a natural extension of that connection and her commitment to strengthening support for heart families across Aotearoa.
Mark brings to the Board strong expertise in strategy, governance, policy, and organisational resilience. His professional background spans complex operating environments, with a focus on aligning technology capability to long term strategic outcomes.
Mark’s connection to Heart Kids is personal. His family experienced the challenges of a child born with a heart condition, and the support they received during that time had a profound impact. He joined the Board to contribute his skills and experience in service of ensuring families across Aotearoa receive the support, advocacy, and care they need.
Outside of his professional and governance commitments, Mark values time with his family and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities throughout New Zealand.
Rebecca is also a Director and co-owner of a small business, Pukekohe Electrical Ltd, where she has been involved in business operations for over a decade. Her experience as a business owner complements her HR expertise and gives her practical insight into organisational management.
Rebecca joined the Heart Kids NZ Board as a proud Heart Mum, motivated by her family’s experience and a commitment to supporting heart kids, heart adults, and their whānau across Aotearoa. She contributes to the Board through people governance, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement.
Based in rural Auckland, Rebecca enjoys farm life with her husband and three children, and is actively involved in her local community.
Blair has had experience in building a business from the ground up, making strong, long-term relationships with members and staff that come his way and has always had a focus on giving back to the community.
He is creative in the ways he goes about his business and lifestyle, and has a passion for making things happen. Blair has helped raise nearly $200,000 for several different charities through different fundraising missions since 2010 and now after having had his own child become a heart kid in 2022, he is very passionate to help do more of the same for Heart Kids NZ.
Blair is a big believer in the benefits of regular exercise for general quality of life and longevity. He is positive, motivated, and looks to help anyone who comes his way.
What Ashley loves most about her role is connecting with families during what can be an incredibly challenging and stressful time. She is passionate about providing compassionate support, recognising that every congenital heart diagnosis and every family's journey is unique. Ashley feels privileged to walk alongside families in hospital and is continually inspired by the bravery, strength, and resilience shown by heart kids and their whānau every day.
When she's not working, Mel loves travelling whenever she gets the chance and spending quality time with her family, creating special memories together.
What Mel loves most about her role is meeting people from all walks of life and helping families navigate the heart world. She feels privileged to support families through some of their toughest times and to connect them with others who truly understand their journey, helping ensure they never feel alone.
Outside of work, Elaine loves travelling and exploring new places. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and is known for having a bit of a sweet tooth.
What Elaine loves most about her role is the opportunity to walk alongside families throughout their heart journey and support them in whatever way she can. She feels continually inspired by the resilience of heart kids and their whānau and values the strength, connection, and encouragement that comes from being part of the Heart Kids community.
Outside of work, Jo enjoys travelling overseas and experiencing different cultures, as well as escaping for long weekends exploring the hidden gems of small-town New Zealand.
What Jo loves most about her role is being part of a community that provides lifelong support, practical help, connection, and hope to heart families. She is continually inspired by the strength and resilience shown by heart kids and their whānau and feels privileged to support them throughout their journey.
Outside of work, Vicky enjoys spending time with her whānau, walking through the region's beautiful ngahere, and swimming in its awa.
What Vicky loves most about her role is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with families and support them throughout their heart journey. Whether it's through a phone call, a coffee and kōrero, or a thoughtful gesture, she feels privileged to help make life's challenges a little lighter and to be part of a caring and connected heart community.
When she's not supporting heart families, Narelle loves spending time outdoors. Whether she's gardening, tramping around the beautiful maunga, walking along the beach, or trout fishing, she enjoys making the most of everything the region has to offer. She also admits to having a guilty pleasure for shoe shopping.
What Narelle loves most about working with the Heart Kids community is the people. She is continually inspired by the strength, courage, and resilience of heart kids and their whānau and feels privileged to walk alongside them on their journey. Being part of a community built on connection, support, and hope is what makes her role so rewarding.
Outside of work, Michelle loves spending time with her family, joining her youngest on school trips and camps, and cheering on her middle son from the sidelines of sporting events. A self-confessed technology enthusiast, she has recently taken up 3D printing and enjoys creating projects for her family's cat, who now has a custom-built catio to explore. She also enjoys reading and sharing life with her two dogs and cat.
What Michelle loves most about working with the Heart Kids community is the opportunity to support families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. She is continually inspired by the resilience shown by heart families and feels privileged to give back to a community that provided incredible support to her own whānau during their heart journey.
Outside of work, Dee enjoys spending time with her whānau. Whether she's walking her dogs along the beach, exploring local bush tracks, or pottering around her lifestyle block with her children, chickens and cows, she loves making the most of the outdoors. She also enjoys reading, baking, and catching up with friends over coffee and a walk - preferably by the sea.
What Dee values most about her role is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with families and support them through both the challenges and celebrations that come with a heart journey. She is passionate about advocating alongside families and feels privileged to be part of such a caring and supportive heart community.
Outside of work, Taylor spends much of her time keeping up with her children's activities and sports. She is an avid reader who loves staying busy, whether that's spending time with her family, tackling household projects, or baking at unusual hours of the day.
What Taylor loves most about her role is the opportunity to walk alongside families throughout their heart journey, celebrating milestones as well as supporting them through challenges. She is passionate about building genuine connections and helping families feel supported by a community that truly understands what they are going through.
What Tash loves most about her role is hearing how the support provided by Heart Kids NZ has made a difference to families during their journey. Whether it's offering a listening ear over a coffee, providing practical support, or bringing families together through events, she knows that the small things can have a lasting impact.
Outside of Heart Kids, Ismay works in healthcare administration and enjoys spending time with her family, being involved in community organisations, and supporting motorsport events.
What Ismay loves most about her role is supporting families through their heart journey and helping them find hope during what can be an overwhelming time. She is passionate about connecting families with others who understand their experiences and encouraging heart kids and their whānau to dream big, build confidence, and embrace all the possibilities ahead of them.
Connecting our community to the heart of our work through fundraising, partnerships, and engagement.
Outside of work, Barb enjoys riding her motorbike, getting lost in a good book, and finding time to be creative. Most importantly, she loves spending time with her two children, who keep life busy, fun, and full of adventure.
As a heart mum herself, Barb understands firsthand the challenges families can face following a heart diagnosis and the importance of having support along the way. What she loves most about her role is building relationships with funding partners, donors, and supporters who make Heart Kids NZ's work possible. She feels privileged to help secure the resources needed to ensure heart children, adults, and whānau across Aotearoa can access meaningful support, connection, and care when they need it most.
Outside of work, Bec enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage son, attending RPM classes at the gym, relaxing with a good book, and supporting local community initiatives. She values connection, community, and making a positive impact wherever she can.
What Bec loves most about her role is connecting with heart kids and their families and seeing the real difference Heart Kids NZ makes in their lives. Watching children grow in confidence, build friendships, and flourish at Heart Kids camp is particularly rewarding. She feels privileged to work in a purpose-driven role alongside a passionate team that genuinely cares about supporting heart families throughout their journey.
Outside of work, Athena loves spending time outdoors, whether that's playing football, exploring a new corner of the world, or heading out for a walk with a good coffee in hand. She enjoys embracing new experiences and making the most of everything New Zealand has to offer.
What Athena loves most about working with the Heart Kids community is being part of such an incredible network of families, supporters, and volunteers. She feels privileged to help share the stories of heart kids and their whānau, shine a light on their experiences, and celebrate the strength, resilience, and connections that make the Heart Kids community so special.
When she's not working, Tania enjoys swimming and discovering new cafés, restaurants, and entertainment spots around Auckland with her whānau. She values connection, family, and making the most of experiences that bring people together.
What Tania loves most about working with the Heart Kids community is the opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful. She is passionate about supporting heart whānau across Aotearoa and helping make a positive difference in their lives. Through her role, she enjoys connecting volunteers with opportunities to support Heart Kids NZ, helping strengthen fundraising efforts and build awareness of the organisation's work. Tania takes pride in knowing that her efforts help ensure more families feel supported, connected, and understood throughout their heart journey.
Based in Auckland, Veebha enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and finding joy in seeing others happy. Her positive outlook and caring nature are reflected in both her personal life and her work.
While much of her role takes place behind the scenes, Veebha finds real purpose in knowing that her work helps support the Heart Kids community. She especially values the opportunities to meet families in person and is continually inspired by the strength, resilience, and courage shown by heart kids and their whānau.
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