Our Team

Carla Gee

Chief Executive Officer

I’m the CEO here at EcoMatters Trust, and I have the privilege of leading our great team of passionate and talented ecowarriors and environmental experts. I love working with such an amazing team of talented and dedicated people, and I feel reinvigorated to be exposed to and learning about caring for our environment on a daily basis. Outside of work, I am kept busy with my two sons, who love soccer, kung fu, motorbike riding, swimming, and fighting zombies!

Tina Ivory

Finance Manager / Team Leader Store

I am EcoMatters Finance Manager and also our Store Team Leader. I love working with our enthusiastic team of environmentalists and helping them to wrestle the numbers into shape. I am a born and bred Westie and have two teenagers and two dogs to keep me busy. In my downtime I love exploring the outdoors, being a foodie and curling up with a good book.

Ph: (09) 827 4997

Dr Dan Ducker

Research and Development Lead

As the resident geek at EcoMatters, my primary role is developing our research and strategy capability. I love hearing about, creating, or trialling new and interesting ways that communities (including businesses) can work together to make progress on the complex social and environmental issues we face. You’ll often find me at a desk but I’m more at home in the ocean, watching sunsets over our beautiful west coast lagoons, or chatting with mates with a beer in hand. Please do get in touch if you have any cool ideas for projects, or want to bounce any thoughts off me.

Jessie Jellick

Administration and Accounts Assistant, Intern and Volunteer Coordinator

I am the admin person here at EcoMatters. I also support Tina with accounts and co-ordinate our amazing volunteers and interns. I get inspired everyday by the mahi and projects we run and I love being one of the points of contact for the community so that we can help you on your eco-journey too. When I’m not at work I am chilling at the beach, catching up with friends and family or relaxing with a good book.

Kirill Karpushev

IT Assistant

I take care of the IT needs of EcoMatters staff. I have previously worked as a Systems Engineer for Huawai Technologies and have a Bachelor in Computer Science and a Diploma in Economic Studies.

Lena Fedulova

HR / Health and Safety Coordinator

Every day I look forward to learning something new about sustainable lifestyle and how to care for Papatūānuku, here at EcoMatters. I am from Russia, lived in Moscow, Munich and London and recently relocated to Auckland with my Kiwi husband. While I am still settling in, I dream of growing my own vegetables, herbs and a lemon tree! In my spare time I like to keep fit, volunteer and do craftwork. I love spending time in nature, especially on the beach, where I can’t get enough of beautiful seashells (currently hunting for a kina shell).

ROBERT BROER

Maintenance

I’ve been volunteering at EcoMatters since 2018 and really enjoy my sessions helping pot up native plants at the community nursery. It’s great to now be working alongside the people I’ve got to know through volunteering here. Outside of my work helping with the grounds maintenance, I love to cycle so you may see me pedaling in or out of EcoMatters, or on our local streets. I also enjoy paddling the placid waters of the Whau River in my trusty kayak.

Emily Harris

Communications, Marketing and Events Team Leader

I love working with my team to put on events for Aucklanders to connect with our beautiful environment and find ways to live more sustainably. I currently work part-time and spend the rest of my time chasing after my two young boys, exploring the great outdoors, and slowly taking over my backyard with fruit and veggies.

Anna Kary

Communications, Marketing and Events Team Leader

The best part of my role here is getting to share the amazing stories of all the different ways people in our community are helping the environment. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me walking our dog, listening obsessively to podcasts, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

Deborah Teh

Marketing and Communications Lead

My job is to tell stories about how our community cares for the environment, and why. I’m often found with my nose behind a camera, and when I’m not at work I’m partial to sunny weekend bike rides and river-side reading.

Currently on parental leave.

Ana Davison

Events and Community Engagement Specialist

I feel privileged to work part time at EcoMatters on great events like EcoFest West, the Zero Waste Awards and the Love Your Place Awards. I also coordinate the Whau Climate Action Network and have enjoyed recently helping project manage the Compost Collective. I am a Laingholm local, mother of two boys, and in my spare time like gardening, yoga and would love to learn to surf.

Michela Enna

Marketing and Communications
Specialist

I am working with the Home Initiatives and Waste teams, helping out with projects such as Compost Collective, Love Food Hate Waste, Healthy Homes, and the Zero Waste Awards. I have a background in PR and events, and I am loving the diversity of the projects and people here at EcoMatters. I am a Titirangi local, a big foodie, and when I’m not working, I’ll be found with my three kids and husband exploring Auckland, socialising with friends, walking, cooking (and eating!), and reading.

Angela Lai

Marketing and Communications
Specialist

The best part of my job is I get to connect with people from all walks of life and celebrate our shared passion for the environment. I come from a journalism background and I am loving my projects that bring our community together. Outside work, I’m a lover of running, swimming and SUP – terrible at all three.

Tineswari Maruthamuthu

Graphic Designer

I thoroughly enjoy the design process – identifying the problem, creating a viable, creative remedy, and completing an elegant, user-friendly and comprehensive design solution. I am hugely passionate about sustainability and responsible consumerism, and constantly inspired by human creativity, overcoming adversity, the bounty of nature and the power of mindfulness in our daily practice. I volunteer my textile mending skills with sustainable local businesses and run mindful mending workshops. When I’m not reading my never-ending pile of books, I’ll be drawing, painting, art journaling, upcycling textiles and making things with my hands.

Brent Bielby

Team Leader Bikes

I manage the bike related activities across Auckland for EcoMatters. I love cycling… it’s got to be best form of transport ever created! I enjoy being able to help out with basic bike maintenance advice, and am always happy to chat about bike stuff (like bike routes). I’ve been a bike commuter most of my life, and have also tried some road racing, mountain biking, and have cycled toured around NZ and Europe. My colleague Bruce (in the middle) can be quiet and unassuming, but make no mistake… he is our spiritual leader at the Bike Hub. Stan (on the left) is a bit sheepish, but is a real dag when you get to know him!

Shane Price

Bike Hub Coordinator

I’m based in the Henderson Bike Hub where I provide advice and support to locals to get their bikes in good working order.

TYSON HOBSON

Bike Hub Coordinator

I enjoy the community aspect of sharing my bicycle knowledge that EcoMatters has helped me enhance, so in return I give my best back to the community. If you can keep up, you can catch me on my bike or talking bikes with the awesome Glen Innes Bike Hub whānau. My health, my routine, my job, basically my life has changed for the better and I thank the bicycle for that! 

Te-Reihita Tutengaehe (Papa T)

Community Bike Mechanic

I started here by volunteering at the Glen Innes Bike Hub and I see my role as being an environmentally-friendly bike mechanic. I’m a local and cycling has been a lifelong passion for me so because of that I don’t think of this as work! I really identify with EcoMatters’ purpose and vision – as a Māori, we are obligated to practice kaitiakitanga (guardianship), which is why I was attracted to working with this organisation. Outside of my time at the Glen Innes Bike Hub, I’m lucky enough to be both a father and grandfather so I enjoy spending time with my whānau, that’s really where it’s at for me these days.

Richard lee

Team Leader Nature

My background is in social ecology, ecological restoration and permaculture. My early career saw me restoring the bushland of the Sydney Basin and Blue Mountains in Australia, mapping catchments for weed incursions and facilitating volunteer groups working to bring back the bush in local reserves. Returning home, we raised our young family up north in Te Tai Tokerau. Here, I helped control pests and predators for several trusts and led a team for DoC, working to eradicate ginger around Whangaroa/Kaeo. I am now privileged to lead our Nature Team, who have been working with community to restore the unique ecosystems of the Waitākere Ranges and urban waterways of West Auckland for over a decade. So, if you are looking to help restore our amazing wild spaces or just want some advice, then feel free to pick up the phone or flick us an email. We’d love to hear from you!

Pamela Gill

Principal: Restoration, Community and Iwi Relationships

Many of the projects I work on are focused on restoring stream side areas out west or dealing to pervasive weeds. I love working with the community to restore their environment. When not at work you’ll most probably find me further out west enjoying the beautiful bush and beach environment I live in.

Phone: (09) 826 0554

Chrissy Yates

Nursery Manager

I joined EcoMatters in January 2016 to set up small native plant nursery with the aim of contributing to environmental restoration activities in our local community, as well as providing an enjoyable setting where people can connect, share knowledge, learn and grow to love our native bush. I love my work and from a very early age I was fascinated with our native fauna and flora. The Waitākere Ranges was the perfect playground and over the years my passion for protecting our natural environment has grown. I am a resident of Glen Eden and for the past 15 years have gained much experience in native plant propagation and forest restoration.

Mobile: 0274 810 688

Alanah Mullin

Stream Ranger

I’m proud to have been a Stream Ranger at EcoMatters for 13 years, working alongside West Auckland neighbours restoring streamside environs together. In my spare time I love following the Womens Professional Tennis Circuit, going to local music performances, working, swimming and yoga where possible.

Phone: (09) 813 2285
Mobile: 021 308 268

Melissa Ward

Senior Engagement Specialist

A self-confessed Nature Lover! I am at my best in the outdoors and love connecting with people and inspiring them to act and care for their environment – no matter how big or small. I like to compost, reuse, recycle and grow my own vegetables. I also enjoy volunteering when I can. My role for EcoMatters is as part of the Nature Team helping residents in the Waitākere Ranges and beyond with their environmental weeds on the Community Weed Bins project, Buffers project and the War on Weeds project.

Mobile: 021 458 365

Erika Kuschel

Senior Weed Ranger

My work as a Weed Ranger for EcoMatters finds me scouring the foothills of the Waitākeres,  searching for wild ginger and climbing asparagus. It feels good to stop the spread of these weeds in our beautiful Waitākere Ranges and work with the residents in these communities to help remove them. I love the outdoors and meeting big fat kereru every day is the best part of my job! Previously I worked as a Park Ranger for Auckland Regional Council in my local area of Muriwai. For relaxation I love to rest and go fishing, in between taxi-driving my two teenagers and walking my three dogs.

Ananda Birchfield

Weed Ranger

I joined the EcoMatters Nature team to help in the native plant nursery. Since then my work has expanded to weed control in the Waitakere Ranges and the wider Auckland region. Working with the community and volunteers is really positive. I love being part of such an experienced team, as it means I am constantly learning on the job. Working in the bush-covered slopes of the Waitākere Ranges is also a major plus. Outside of work, I love playing sports, especially football, indoor basketball and volleyball.

Logan Arrowsmith

Junior Weed Ranger

I’m part of the pest weed control team, working on the Buffer Zone Project in the Waitākere Ranges. I enjoy being outdoors in the bush and minimising the impact invasive weed species like climbing asparagus and wild ginger has on our natives. I also enjoy learning all about our beautiful native plants, trees and birds. In my spare time you may find me summiting a mountain or hiking in the bush!

Sarah-Jane Murray

Team Leader Waste

I am the Waste Initiatives Team Leader here at EcoMatters. I have had the privilege of working here at EcoMatters for over ten years now, and it’s been amazing to be part of a strong organisation that values its staff and the environment. My projects include, Zero Waste Events, Sustainable Salons, E-waste, and just recently I have taken on the Education portfolio. I am extremely passionate about reducing any type of waste from ending up in landfill and do my best to encourage others to take action towards a less wasteful future for Aotearoa. In my spare time, I love spending time with my baby girl, and when I can, getting on the water.

Shannon Otene

Logistics and Operations Supervisor

I have two different roles at EcoMatters, but both are for a sustainability project under the Zero Waste Team at our Moselle Ave depot in Henderson. Both roles are varied and busy, which I love as it keeps me on my toes. I’m not the type to dilly dally with tasks or jobs, rather just jump in and get stuck into it! Although I did not come into this environment with the same experiences and knowledge as many of my EcoMatters whanau, I am proud to say they have taught me so much and am eager to learn more about protecting ‘to tatou aorangi ataahua’ (our beautiful planet) and be more resourceful in our everyday living. Outside of work I enjoy being active by playing sports of all types and enjoy spending quality time with my children.

Raj ganda

Resource Recovery Driver

I’m a born and bred Westie, and proudly wear the badge. I joined EcoMatters as I hold many of the same beliefs and values EcoMatters holds dear – community, sustainability and family, all these reflect what we are about. I am supported by my wife and two children and my wider whānau. We love the beaches, walks in the park and travel. We are so lucky to live in this wonderful country and be able to see these beautiful views.

Richard lee

Team Leader Food

I am privileged to also lead our Food Team, for EcoMatters. After many years restoring ecosystems in both Australia and New Zealand, my later career followed my passion for local food production, circular systems, composting, sustainable living and permaculture. My crew can be found delivering our food related education programmes across Auckland, and at our two community gardens, Hope on Riverbank Road and at our EcoHub in New Lynn, capturing resources, closing wasteful loops and nurturing the growing local kai movement of West Auckland. So, if you are wanting to learn about reducing food waste, composting or keen to get your hands busy tending the earth and growing healthy organic produce, then it might be time to touch base, because the great news is we can help. We’d love to hear from you!

Meg Liptrot

Education Programme / Organic Teaching Garden Coordinator

I have a background in sustainable land management and green design so can advise you on organic, productive solutions for your backyard or block of land. I have also been through an eco renovation and can help with ideas and eco products for your place. I have worked at EcoMatters since 2005 and over that time developed a comprehensive workshop programme and network of expert tutors for the centre, the line-up is refreshed every season.

Amanda Hookham-Kraft

Kai Whau / Hope Garden Coordinator

I carry a background in Waste Wise Advisory, Regenerative development, Design and Holistic Plant medicine. The various projects at EcoMatters allow me to share with others this diversity of skills through the platforms of education, community resilience and waste development. Through nurturing co-operative and collaborative practices we continue to deepen our innate connections back into the living world. Growing awareness and change together that brings holistic health for ourselves and the living world is what inspires my work on a daily basis. I love West Auckland, practising yoga, biodynamic gardening and being a part of the regenerative development of the land at Titirangi Rudolf Steiner school where our three daughters attend.

sarah MURRAY

Compost Collective Project Manager

I am working with the Compost Collective team, an initiative close to my heart, and one I would love to see grow in all directions. My background is in construction. I was an eco builder for 10 years and one of my passions is enabling women to use tools. I get around mostly by bicycle, love sewing, solar cooking, and doing improv comedy at the Covert Theatre.

Myrthe Braam

Team Co-Leader Homes

I have been around at EcoMatters for more than six years, in a variety of roles and projects. Currently, I am co-leading the Home Initiatives Team together with Penelope. As Senior Project Manager, I am also looking after the Love Your Neighbourhood funding and the Zero Waste Events Grant. On top of that, I’m involved with organising our annual festival EcoFest West and several smaller cycling events, including the Power Box Bike Challenge. I am working remotely from Dunedin, where I spend all my spare time hiking, trailrunning, cycling, rockclimbing, mountaineering and paddleboarding.  

Penelope Baber

Team Co-Leader Homes

My role is in the Home Initiatives Team, both as co-team leader and as Sustainability Advisor, undertaking in-home water usage assessments and education in the Auckland area with a view to helping people reduce their water consumption and costs. I really enjoy the positive team environment at the EcoMatters office and helping people in a practical way in the community. In my spare time, I enjoy being involved in all the different sports my family play. My work background is commercial property management which actually has a lot of cross over in terms of the people contact.

Dominique Crowe

Sustainability Advisor

I am a Sustainability Advisor for the Home Initiatives Team, mainly working on the Love Your Water and Homewise projects. I studied ecology at University and am really passionate about working within communities. I am thoroughly enjoying working with a group of such passionate people and working with communities to be more sustainable. When I’m not at work, you can find me outdoors hiking and taking photos along the West Coast. I am also partial to a good boardgame and frequently play Dungeons and Dragons.

Sydney Shead

Sustainability Advisor

Here at EcoMatters, I am involved in the Home Initiatives team working as a Sustainability Advisor. Having a degree in Business, with a major in sustainable enterprise, this job was a perfect fit for me. I love working with like-minded individuals who are creating positive impacts on our natural world and surrounding communities. Outside of EcoMatters, you would find me working on my fitness goals or spending the day with a pencil in my hand practising my art.