FOUNDER/DIRECTOR/CEO

Sarah has spent over 25 years working in the education and disability sectors, both in the UK and NZ.

She established Project Employ in 2021; a charity with a mission to bridge the gap between school and work for neurodiverse young adults who perceive and respond to the world slightly differently.

Flourish Café in Takapuna opened it’s doors in July 2022 - New Zealand’s first training café established specifically to help neurodiverse young adults gain meaningful, community-based employment. A second Flourish Café based in the Air New Zealand Hub in Auckland CBD was opened the following year.

BOARD CHAIR

Rich has over 40 years working in both corporate & not for profit organisations in leadership roles. He’s currently CEO of the Neurological Foundation and has chaired a number of not for profit boards over the last 10 years.

He has a passion for development opportunities for young people, seeing them on the next steps in their life journey.

When he’s not working, you’ll find Rich out on his motorbikes around NZ.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Andrew brings experience from being a partner at the accounting firm BDO Auckland, where he leads a team of accountants and business advisers. With clients across many different sectors, Andrew has a broad view of what is required to help owners unlock the potential in their businesses.

When not at work Andrew can be found either on his road bike or chasing fish around the Hauraki Gulf.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Kate is a lawyer with 20 years experience practising in business law, and is a Partner at Hesketh Henry. Hesketh Henry is a mid-sized commercial law firm based in Auckland.

Kate has advised a number of charitable entities over her career, including assisting the Women’s Refuge New Zealand on a number of projects.

BOARD DIRECTOR

A US-born, Aussie-raised, Kiwi enthusiast residing on the Shore since 2009, Nicky has an extensive background in hospitality, including working with Hilton Hotels, teaching hospitality in the tertiary sector and consulting in systems and management training.

In 2017 Nicky opened Street Organics café, where she passionately delivers real, personal customer service and healthy whole foods, with her dedicated team.

Committed to giving everyone a fair go, she's excited to collaborate with Project Employ to support their great trainees to become gainfully employed.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Murray has a background in business having founded several companies. He is presently on several not for profit boards and enjoys mentoring others in business and general leadership and helping resource opportunities particularly those in the disability sector.

Murray lives in Stanmore Bay with his wife Sue and is a dad to four adult children. To relax, he loves boating and motorbiking and travel, especially if it has an aspect of adventure.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Mark's experience of successfully leading and working in the sector for charities, foundations and for purpose businesses spans four decades.

He is currently Head of Community Engagement at Trust Investments, a specialist financial services provider to for-purpose organisations, including charities, not-for-profits, trusts and foundations.

Mark is also the Chairperson of the Aotearoa NZ Online Giving Foundation and host of the Purposely Podcast, New Zealand's #1 non-profit podcast.

He is excited about his role on the Board of Project Employ, and being able to contribute to our work supporting and inspiring young people to reach their goals and be active members of society.

AMBASSADOR

Terence is the Chief Executive of the Takapuna Beach Business Association, enhancing the economic, social, and environmental landscape of Takapuna through bold advocacy, active promotion, and enabling business excellence.

Previously Terence has held management positions with Regional Facilities Auckland and the Bruce Mason Centre, as well as being current Deputy Chair of Eventfinda Stadium. Terence has two young kids and is passionate about helping local communities to thrive.

AMBASSADOR

Angela is recognised mostly for years on our television screens playing ‘Rachel McKenna’ on Shortland Street. Many don’t know that over her time working at South Pacific Pictures, Angela also trained as a Director and directed many television shows including her award winning short film ‘Linda’s List’.

Since departing Shortland Street she continued to direct and teach young acting and directing students, she directed a web series titled ‘Project Employ’ for Sarah Dann-Hoare. Her journey with Sarah creating this content saw them connect and is the very reason Angela has agreed to become an ambassador for Project Employ.

Meeting and working with the families and young people striving to gain employment in New Zealand meant so much to Angela and she is now delighted to continue to shine a light on the very important work being done by Project Employ.

AMBASSADOR

Shane Cortese is delighted to join Project Employ as an ambassador. Now one of the country's leading property auctioneers, he also finds time to represent as ambassador or patron a number of charitable organisations.

Shane is currently the patron of Children’s Autism NZ and as a father to a son on the spectrum, he looks forward to being part of the progression from school to workforce for our children.

AMBASSADOR

Claire Turnbull is a Registered Nutritionist with over 20 years’ experience in the health and wellbeing industry and a Diploma in Positive Psychology. She is the owner and director of Mission Nutrition and a familiar face from television and media.

Claire is passionate about making wellbeing practical and accessible for everyone. Her connection to Project Employ is deeply personal, as her brother has special educational needs and her son is Autistic inspiring her strong commitment to inclusion and meaningful opportunities for all.

AMBASSADOR

Kris is an experienced media personality with almost 40 years in radio, announcing, programming and management, a winner of multiple NZ radio awards, and currently the Content Director of The Breeze NZ radio network.

Kris is also the host & founder of two podcast series. 'The Cerebral Palsy Podcast' (Kris has CP himself), telling the stories from the NZ cerebral palsy community, and 'The Para Podcast' conversations with our para-athletes.

He has also just been appointed on the board of the Cerebral Palsy Society Of New Zealand.

A proud advocate for the disabled community, Kris is very keen to work alongside Project Employ to make a difference.

AMBASSADOR

Emma is an experienced Admin Assistant and has been employed at Stuff for 14 years. She brings a unique insight to the Board as her lived experience means she has first hand knowledge of the life changing impact that paid employment can have on a young person with a learning disability.

Emma is excited to be an Ambassador, and she hopes it will encourage employers to give Project Employ Trainees and Graduates the chance to prove themselves, just like she was able to do.

AMBASSADOR

Janet Marshall is a Director at Colliers and a commercial property specialist with extensive experience working alongside business owners, investors, and organisations across Auckland. She is actively involved in the business community through her roles on business association boards and as a mentor to emerging business leaders.

As an Ambassador for Project Employ, Janet supports initiatives that create meaningful employment pathways for neurodiverse young adults. She is passionate about using her networks to connect businesses with people and real employment opportunities, helping to drive both commercial and community outcomes.

AMBASSADOR

As a Project Employ Ambassador, Ed is committed to advancing inclusive employment opportunities and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. As a parent of two sons with disabilities, his advocacy is deeply grounded in lived experience, shaping his commitment to removing barriers and promoting equitable access to meaningful career pathways.

Ed was recently recognised as the Inclusive Leader of the Year at the NZ Diversity Awards, reflecting his commitment to championing Disability Inclusion. Through his work at Air New Zealand, he has contributed to advancing accessible air travel on a global scale, advocating for improved experiences and greater equity for disabled travellers.

Known for his empathetic and reliable approach, Ed engages collaboratively with community groups, employers, and stakeholders to address barriers and create inclusive environments where individuals feel valued and supported.

YOUTH AMBASSADOR

Emily is a great example of someone who has come through the Project Employ Training Programme. In fact, she was in the very first cohort of trainees!

Since graduating in 2022, Emily has worked at Flourish Café (Air NZ), and is now in paid employment as Food Prep/Café Assistant in Flourish Café (Takapuna).

Emily believes she is a good Youth Ambassador and role model to trainees and other young adults because she has lived experience of disability, and can show them that with hard work and self-belief it is possible to gain paid employment.

As Youth Ambassador, Emily helps Project Employ to encourage businesses and employers to give those with disabilities a chance.

YOUTH AMBASSADOR

Since graduating from Project Employ, Damian has been busy completing a paid internship at Flourish Café, Air NZ, and is currently employed there as Café Assistant.

AMBASSADOR

Since graduating from Project Employ, Shani has completed a paid internship at Hilton, Auckland, and is now in permanent employment there.

She says having a paid job has given her more financial independence and enabled her to meet so many more people.

Shani feels she is a great ambassador for Project Employ because she has a multifaceted understanding of what it’s like to be in a disadvantaged category of society.

YOUTH AMBASSADOR

Since graduating from Project Employ, Ben has completed a paid internship at Flourish Café, Air NZ. He was then offered a paid internship at Hilton, Auckland, which he really enjoyed as the people were friendly and it gave him a sense of purpose (plus he was getting paid!).

Ben believes he makes a good PE Ambassador because of his success. 

Having a disability himself (Down Syndrome) Ben encourages those with a disability to enrol at Project Employ so they can learn new skills. He’s become a role model to his friends, leading to some of them completing the Flourish Café training programme and gaining paid internships.

Ben is currently looking for a paid, part time job as he really enjoys working.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

With a background in occupational therapy, Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge to Project Employ. Hannah is passionate about developing an inclusive learning environment.

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME LEAD

An experienced adult educator and career practitioner, Emily holds a postgraduate diploma in psychology with a mixed organisational and clinical focus and is currently undertaking her master’s thesis in psychology.

She is passionate about the benefits of inclusive, diverse, and culturally healthy workplaces. 

CAFÉ MANAGER

Bio coming soon!

CAFÉ SUPERVISOR (FLOURISH CAFÉ, AIR NZ)

Marissa is our amazing cafe supervisor. She’s currently busy making delicious coffees and mentoring our paid interns, but will be updating her bio very soon.

JOB COACH (FLOURISH CAFÉ, TAKAPUNA)

Toshiki is busy supporting our trainees to become work-ready, but he’ll update his bio very soon.

BARISTA (FLOURISH CAFÉ, TAKAPUNA)

Megan is currently busy making delicious coffee for our Flourish Cafe customers, but she’ll be updating her bio very soon.

FOOD PREP ASSISTANT (FLOURISH CAFÉ, TAKAPUNA); YOUTH AMBASSADOR

Emily was in the very first Project Employ trainee cohort. Since then she has become an integral part of the Flourish Café team, and takes immense pride in the cabinet items and catering that she prepares.

CAFÉ ASSISTANT (FLOURISH CAFÉ, TAKAPUNA AND AIR NZ); YOUTH AMBASSADOR

Damian is a very busy young man, who’s determined to live his best life. After graduating from our training programme, Damian completed a paid internship at Flourish Café, Air NZ, before gaining permanent employment there as Café Assistant.

But that’s not all! Damian wants to give back and believes he has lots of knowledge and insight to share. So he is also a Project Employ Youth Ambassador.

CAFÉ ASSISTANT INTERN (FLOURISH CAFÉ, TAKAPUNA AND AIR NZ)

Since graduating from our training programme, Danika has completed a PE paid internship where she perfected her food prep, customer service, and barista skills. She is now a Flourish Café employee, baking delicious treats for our cabinets.

CAFÉ ASSISTANT INTERN (FLOURISH CAFÉ, AIR NZ)

Since graduating from our training programme, Indy has completed a PE paid internship where she perfected her customer service and barista skills. She is now employed as barista at Flourish Café Air NZ.