Our Team
National Staff
Regional Schools Coordinators
Our Board
National Staff
Tabby Besley
Managing Director
She / Her
Tabby is a Pākehā queer femme. She has been working in rainbow communities since she was 15 and founded InsideOUT in 2012 with a passion for making Aotearoa a better place for rainbow rangatahi. Alongside her role with us Tabby studies counselling and addictions.
Email: tabby@insideout.org.nz
Shardae Grenfell
School Services Manager
She / Her
Shardae grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, is currently based in Whangārei, and has a background in teaching and youth work. She is passionate about education, youth development and empowered communities. Shardae loves travelling, the ocean, long walks and road trips. She feels strongly about the importance of good books and good coffee.
Email: shardae@insideout.org.nz
Rosie Leadbitter
Workplace Services Coordinator
She / Her
Rosie studied Public Health and is passionate about supporting mental health hauora. She believes in the importance of interconnectedness and whakawhanaungatanga.
Email: rosie@insideout.org.nz
Emmett Roberts
Rainbow Competency Coordinator
They / Them
Emmett is a Pākehā (gender)queer, educator, and librarian-in-progress from the Manawatū. Their work with InsideOUT allows them to bring their together their passions for the rainbow community, helping people learn new things, and tikkun olam (“repairing the world”)
Email: emmett@insideout.org.nz
SAVIIEy NUA
Pacific Rainbow Competency Coordinator
She / Her
Saviiey is a Fa’afafine who has been involved in many youth development, education, and performing arts initiatives. She is a massive advocate for the Māori and Pasifika Rainbow community of Porirua. Saviiey is the current recipient of the Aniva Arts Residency through Creative NZ and is also the Chairman of Ngā Uri o Whiti Te Rā Mai Le Moana Trust. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Māori Performing Arts and Primary Education through Te Wānanga o Raukawa, and a Master’s in Education through Victoria University.
Email: saviiey@insideout.org.nz
River Ayto
Communications Coordinator
He / They
River is a non-binary Pākehā multimedia storyteller and post-colonial scholar educated in the United States and based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He is an avid dancer, gaymer, and Róisín Murphy fan. They are an intersectional feminist who is passionate about social justice and curious about the uses of play and performance in collective healing.
Email: river@insideout.org.nz
Neo Kenny
Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator
Ia / He / Him
Neo is a femme takatāpui tāhine. He has Kai Tahu and Te Āti Awa whakapapa. Ia has been volunteering with InsideOUT since 2017. He is passionate about mental health and supporting others. He is also in the process of converting to Progressive Judaism.
Email: neo@insideout.org.nz
Edie Freeman
Funding and Volunteer Coordinator
She / They
Edie is a trans woman based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau. She previously worked in Student Academic Services at Te Herenga Waka (VUW). She is a writer with a love for fantasy and sci fi with an eye for positive queer representation. They are excited to get to work contributing to our amazing community!
Email: edie@insideout.org.nz
Jthan Morgan
Shift Hui Coordinator
He / Him / She / Her / ia
Jthan Morgan of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata and Samoan descent is a Pōneke based takatāpui artist. Jthan (pronounced Jay-Thann) was born and raised in the Hutt Valley and carries his cultures and whakapapa with him everywhere he goes. Jthan is proud to be the Shift Hui coordinator, bringing rangatahi together to connect, learn and grow.
Email: shift@insideout.org.nz
Ari Dewar
School Campaigns Coordinator
They / Them
Ari is a Youth Worker, Graphic Designer and qualified makeup artist from Ōtautahi. They are a Virgo sun, Pisces rising and an Aquarius moon. Ari is constantly adding books to their evergrowing “to read” pile, whilst simultaneously not having enough time in the day to read any of them. They’re passionate about literature, Rainbow History, and a decent skincare routine – Please always wear sunscreen. They can normally be found drinking too much coffee and not enough water, or having a nap. Go figure.
Email: ari@insideout.org.nz
Alex Ker
Resource Development Lead
He / Him
Alex has been involved with InsideOUT since 2014 as a volunteer, board member and now leading the development of our resources. He completed his honours in Sociology and Gender and Sexuality Studies and has worked as a research assistant on the Trans-Affirmative Healthcare Pilot Clinic at Victoria University of Wellington, the Youth’19 study and the Identify survey.
Email: alex@insideout.org.nz
Alejandra Jensen
Kaimahi Taituarā
She / They
Alejandra is a mokopuna of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata & Ngāti Pōrou of te Tairāwhiti (East Coast). They are a kaiako of te reo Māori utilising creative approaches to (re)awaken the language of this whenua within the hearts and minds of all who have a desire to learn. Their mahi with InsideOUT will go towards supporting, affirming and celebrating rangatahi takatāpui+ within Kura Kaupapa and the development and delivery of our training to kaupapa Māori services.
Email: alejandra@insideout.org.nz
Alesha Ahdar
Kaimahi Hinonga Takatāpui / Takatāpui Project Coordinator
She / They
Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whakaue, Tapuika and Samoa. Alesha is a takatāpui creative with a kaupapa of bringing Māori and Pacific stories to our screens and stages. She’s no stranger to challenging her own communities’ beliefs that prevent the world from being a better place for takatāpui and Pacific LGBTQIA+ people.
Email: alesha@insideout.org.nz
Regional Schools Coordinators
Kirsty Harnden
Te Tai Tokerau / Northland Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Kirsty is originally from Scotland, grew up in Ireland, and now calls Paihia home. She lives with her gorgeous son, two cats, and too many house plants to count! She has a background in youth work and is passionate about mental health awareness. She loves to be creative, read, write poetry, and enjoys aerial yoga and swimming.
Email: kirsty@insideout.org.nz
Grace Abbott
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland Schools Coordinator
She / Her
He uri tēnei nō Tūhoe, nō Ngāti Awa hoki. Grace was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. She studied law and went on to work with rangatahi Māori. She is passionate about upholding mana motuhake and supporting rainbow communities.
Email: grace@insideout.org.nz
Ebbie Lífweard
Waikato Schools Coordinator
They / Them
Ebbie is a gay non-binary Pākehā of Scots, Irish, English and West Indian descent who grew up in Oamaru. They love being in the outdoors and spending time pursuing their various hobbies which include woodwork, drag and playing the piano. They live in Kirikiriroa with their partner and also work as a community support worker for mental health and addiction services.
Email: ebbie@insideout.org.nz
Benjamin Black
Te Moana-a-Toitehuatahi / Bay of Plenty Schools Coordinator
He / Him
Ben (Ngai Tūhoe, Whakatoohea, Te Whānau aa Apanui) lives in sunny Whakatāne and has a background in supporting whānau and takatāpui. He loves food, being surrounded by water and empowering everyone he meets. Ben is passionate about making a difference in Aotearoa.
Email: ben@insideout.org.nz
DANDO
Taranaki Schools Coordinator
They / Them
Dando is a queer Pākehā third year Social Work student who wears many professional hats. They are deeply passionate about queer liberation, supporting survivors of harm, decolonisation and social justice in general. They love digital painting and spending time with their daughter, partner, sister and their cats!
Email: dando@insideout.org.nz
Christina Emery
Whanganui Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Christina is passionate about all things LGBTQIA+. She co-founded the local charity Pride Whanganui in 2018 and since then has been heavily involved with advocacy work, not just for Whanganui but surrounding areas as well. Christina has a background in media, specifically radio, and, if given the chance, will talk your ear off about Marketing and Advertising.
Email: christina@insideout.org.nz
Elliott Pepper
Manawatū Schools Coordinator
He / Him
Elliott is a queer trans Pākehā man based in the Manawatū. He has been involved in healthcare for several years and is currently studying towards his Bachelor of Nursing. He is a proponent for the health needs of sexual and gender minorities in Aotearoa. In his spare time Elliott enjoys illustration, alternative and historical fashion, and dance.
Email: elliott@insideout.org.nz
Kirstie Lovesy
Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawkes Bay Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Kirstie is a queer Pākehā living in Hawkes Bay with her partner and two cats. She has a background in social policy and healthcare. In her spare time she enjoys crafts and taking care of her house plants.
Email: kirstie@insideout.org.nz
COMPASS WILTS-RAMSAY
Te Ūpoko o te Ika / Wellington Schools Coordinator
They / Them
Compass is a nonbinary queer person who is passionate about queer liberation, education and community building. Before this role Compass spent three years volunteering with InsideOUT. When they’re not working you can find Compass being an Aries, geeking out about rainbow history, and taking care of all their plants.
Email: compass@insideout.org.nz
Monique Davies
Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka-a-Māui / Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Monique is in her final year of studying to become a primary school teacher and is currently on a journey to discover her Māori whakapapa. Monique has worked in hospitality/retail since she was 14 and now is excited to be working with our incredible rainbow rangatahi. Monique is usually heard before she is seen and then found with a big smile and a cup of coffee.
Email: monique@insideout.org.nz
Rose Cook
Waitaha / Canterbury Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Rose is an Ōtautahi based queer Youth Worker. She has a human services background and is passionate about rainbow wellbeing, advocacy and amplifying youth voices in leadership. Beyond mahi, she is an earring maker, a creative and a cat owner.
Email: rose@insideout.org.nz
Suzy Armstrong
Te Tai Poutini / West Coast Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Suzy is here, queer and ready to hear from the diverse and beautiful rainbow rangatahi of Aotearoa. With a social work background, Suzy’s current mahi is alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice; supporting whānau, schools, communities and individuals to achieve positive outcomes, repair harm and relationships, and move forward with their lives.
Email: suzy@insideout.org.nz
Izzy Costigan
Ōtākou / Otago Schools Coordinator
She / Her / ia
Izzy is a queer wahine studying occupational therapy in Ōtepoti and is passionate about people living their fullest, most meaningful lives. Izzy is usually found with a coffee and book in hand or heard by her loud laugh first.
Email: izzy@insideout.org.nz
Trish Lastovicka
Central South Island Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Trish is in her final year of study for a BA, at Otago University. In her spare time she enjoys photography, Taekwon-Do and reading.
Email: trish@insideout.org.nz
Nic Brasch
Murihiku / Southland Schools Coordinator
She / They
Nic was raised in Blenheim/Te Waiharakeke, and has since spent time all over New Zealand. She has a background in hospitality and healthcare, and is studying to become a registered nurse. Nic loves teaching, learning, creativity and connectedness – as well as good food and sleeping in!
Email: nic.brasch@insideout.org.nz
Our Board
Brock Stobbs
Chairperson
He / Him
Brock is a queer Pākehā and a Scorpio. Based in Te Awakairangi, they have been on the Board since 2019, joining because of their passion for supporting rainbow communities and interest in governance. Outside of InsideOUT, Brock works as a policy analyst in the public sector and enjoys watching films, playing D&D, and losing at quiz nights.
Miia van Beusekom
Treasurer
She / Her
Miia is a Pākehā queer trans woman. She has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and currently works part time in social services. In her spare time she coaches a junior football team and enjoys spending whatever quiet time is on offer with her wife and two young children.
Rox Soriano
Co-Secretary
They / Them
Rox is a non-binary queer Filipinx migrant based in Te Awa Kairangi. They are passionate about social justice, human and indigenous rights, currently working as a lawyer putting that passion to use! Their mahi has been focused on intersectionality, and education within and between rainbow communities and communities of colour.
Stella Ivory
Co-Secretary
She / Her
Stella is a queer Pākehā woman with Scottish and English ancestry who is passionate about unsettling norms in Aotearoa. She has been on the Board since 2019 and loves supporting Rainbow rangatahi and the work that our staff do in this role. Her paid work is in human rights policy, and her other experience is in research, advocacy, and other volunteer work across social issues. In her spare time, Stella loves travel, dog spotting, and being in nature or the water.
Dany Miller-Kareko
Trustee
She / Her
Dany is a Ngāpuhi wahine who grew up in Taranaki and now resides in Tāmaki Makaurau with her long-term partner. Her days are occupied with managing a busy reo-rua Community Centre in South Auckland with her team of 10. Her passion for people has seen her involvement on several boards, with special interest in takatāpui, Māori, and women’s issues. She is an eldest child, a lover of good food, and an avid reader of cheesy books.
Willow Bailey
Trustee
She / They
Willow is a queer person of Tangata Tiriti and Te Āti Awa descent, raised and living in Te Awakairangi. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and education (education policy, and education psychology) and works in a community based role within the public sector. In their spare time they enjoy dabbling between many craft projects, playing video games (poorly), and researching intersectional social issues and media.
Cameron Kapua-Morrell
Trustee
He / They
He uri ia o Porourangi rātou ko Tahupōtiki, ko Ngātoro-i-rangi.
Of Ngāti Porou, Kāi Tahu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent; Cam is a loud, proud, cheeky takatāpui born and bred in Te Tairāwhiti, buttered and spread in Te Awa Kairangi. Cam has a passion for rangatahi, kaupapa Māori and the many cultures and languages of the world. Working full time as a Cultural Advisor for local government means you will find Cam either at the river, hosting a community event or volunteering in their free time or on the weekends.
Josh Perkinson
Trustee
They / Them
Josh is a proud 17 year old tauira takatāpui descending from Te Arawa and Tainui. They’re currently working towards both NCEA Level 3 at Northcote College and a Level 4 Certificate in Māori Protocol and Language at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. They were raised in Mangawhai, Te Tai Tokerau, and now reside in Tāmaki Makaurau, living independently. They are passionate about effecting tangible change for our rangatahi, Māori, and Rainbow communities.
Julia de Bres
Executive Advisor
She / Her
Julia is a queer Pākehā linguistics lecturer at Massey University. Her research focuses on how language is used to reproduce and resist social inequalities. She teaches on language and gender and is currently conducting research on whānau support as a protective factor for the wellbeing of gender-diverse children and young people.
Allanah Elvy-Arnold
Executive Advisor
They / Them / Ia
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa
BECCA HARVEY
Executive Advisor
She/Her
Becca is a Pākehā queer femme and a human rights advocate, with a special interest in diversity, equity and inclusion. She works in human resources in the public sector, and is a mother to two young people, one being gender diverse. She comes from a largely non-profit background, with a core business of advocating for healthcare in marginalised communities and education.