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 passionate for making Aotearoa a better place for rainbow rangatahi. Alongside her role with us Tabby studies counselling and addictions.
Email: tabby@insideout.org.nz
petazae thoms
School Services Manager
He/Him
Petazae has whakapapa that connects him to Ngāti Irapuaia of Whakatōhea iwi and Bereina of Central Province, Papua New Guinea, and grew up in Fiji. He is passionate about creating rainbow inclusive schools in Aotearoa and supporting staff and students to have more affirming experiences in their communities!
Email: petazae@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
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
Neo Kenny
Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator
Ia / He / Him
Neo is a femme takatāpui tāhine. They whakapapa to Kai Tahu and Te Āti Awa. Ia has been volunteering with InsideOUT since 2017. He is passionate about mental health and supporting others. They are in the process of converting to Progressive Judaism.
Email: neo@insideout.org.nz
Edie Freeman
Volunteer and Community Engagement 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
Ben Ayto
Communications Coordinator
He / They
Ben is a non-binary Pākehā multimedia storyteller and post-colonial scholar 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: benjamin@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
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
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
Etta Bollinger
Funding Coordinator
They / Them
Etta is a playwright, poet, student, twin, disability rights advocate, and a storyteller.
Email: etta@insideout.org.nz
Regional Schools Coordinators
Grace Abbott
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau 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
COMPASS WILTS-RAMSAY
Wellington/Te Ūpoko o te Ika 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
Rose Cook
Canterbury/Waitaha 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
SIOBHAN TUMAI
Canterbury/Waitaha Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Siobhan (pictured left) is a takatāpui Māmā living in Ōtautahi. She has whakapapa to multiple Waikato Tainui hapū. Siobhan studied a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies and works in Art & Mental Health. She loves having whānau time, organising & activism and drinking coffee! Siobhan uses she/her pronouns.
On Leave
Kirsty Harnden
Northland/Te Tai Tokerau 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
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
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
My name is Morgan Dando, but I go by my last name, Dando! I’m Pākehā, and queer. I’m a third year Social Work student and wear many professional hats. I’m deeply passionate about queer liberation, supporting survivors of harm, decolonisation and social justice in general. I love digital painting and spend time with my daughter, partner, sister and our cats!
Email: dando@insideout.org.nz
Aroha Lowe
Manawatū Schools Coordinator
She /Her
Aroha is Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Ruanui, and English, Irish, Scots. Aroha is kept busy as māmā to her sons, two kurī/dogs and one ngeru/cat. She also works as an art facilitator, likes to write poetry, and take long walks on Hīmatangi beach.
Email: aroha@insideout.org.nz
Kirstie O'Riley
Hawkes Bay / Te Matau-a-Māui 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
Zen Smith
Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough / Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Māui Schools Coordinator
They / Them
Zen is a Whakatū based Youth Worker, with a passion for youth leadership & empowerment. When not working, you can find them being a Capricorn, eating bread and oversharing on their Instagram. Zen also works alongside Q-Youth, which is an organisation local to Nelson.
Email: zen@insideout.org.nz
Suzy Armstrong
West Coast / Te Tai Poutini 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
Trish Lastovicka
Otago 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
EMMA PRINSLOO
Southland/Murihiku Schools Coordinator
She / Her
Emma is from South Africa originally, however, has lived in New Zealand since she was 6 years old. She grew up in Southland and is passionate about sports. In her free time, Emma enjoys spending time with her dogs, socialising with her friends and family.
Email: emma@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 Irish, Scottish, and Māori (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 the public sector. In their spare time they enjoy hand-crafts, playing video games, and researching intersectional social issues and media.
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.