Iqra is originally from Pakistan and has been living in New Zealand since she was 7 years old. She attended Mt Roskill Grammar School before pursuing her studies at Auckland University. Now a commercial lawyer, she is deeply passionate about refugee and human rights law. As part of the Empower team, Iqra contributes to the outreach mentoring programme. She is eager to connect with others and is always open to questions.

Felice is currently a second-year law student at the University of Auckland. Originally from Rotorua, she now resides in Auckland. Whenever she has the chance to visit home, she enjoys walking in the forests and lakes surrounding Rotorua. In her spare time, you’ll often find her curled up with a good book or playing the piano.

Anahita is a writer and photographer who joined the Empower team nearly a year ago. She originally from Herat, a city located in Afghanistan. Anahita came to New Zealand after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Currently, she is pursuing her studies at the University of Auckland. Anahita aims to be the voice for the women who are suffering from the current situation in Afghanistan.

Afnan Al-Rubayee is a dedicated community advocate with her work focused in the refugee and migrant, ethnic community space. A woman of many roles, embodying strength as a woman of colour, a public servant, a mother, a student, a founder, a mentor, a former local council candidate, and a tireless advocate for her communities in an advisory and consultancy capacity. She began her working life at the age of 15, gaining valuable experience in both the private and public sectors, which laid the foundation for her skills and ambitions. Empowering women and youth from former refugee and migrant backgrounds has become Afnan's mission. She strives to change the narrative surrounding refugees and ethnic communities through her mahi.

Aryan is passionate about all things computer and technology-related. He uses his combined skills in tech and passion for education to lead programmes for refugee youth across camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Over the pandemic, Aryan was able to develop and deliver workshops using innovative digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning. He believes digital learning is the future of education and is adamant that all refugees have access. Currently he serves as Empower’s Global Lead.

Bilal is currently a Clinical Psychology doctorate candidate at the University of Auckland. He is originally from Afghanistan and has been living in Aotearoa since 1999. He has a background in youth work with former refugees through the NZ Red Cross and sits on the Ministry of Youth Development's Partnership Fund Board.

Vaash is originally from Fiji and has been living in New Zealand for the past 9 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland and is currently working at a law firm in Auckland. She was previously a mentor with Empower before joining the wider team. She is passionate about gender and racial equality, LGBTQI+ rights, and raising mental health awareness.

Rawan is the newest member of the team and will be helping coordinate the Empower Youth mentoring program. She is originally from Iraq and has been in New Zealand for 11 years, currently studying in Auckland to be a journalist. Assisting young refugees in thriving is something she is incredibly passionate about and has been working with the refugee community for almost two years.

Originally from Afghanistan, Naheed has lived in New Zealand for over 20 years of her life. She completed her BSc majoring in Physiology in Auckland before pursuing Medicine at Otago and is currently finishing off her medical training in Wellington! One of Naheed’s biggest passions is advocating for people from refugee backgrounds. Her favourite way to express herself is through writing and photography and she hopes to utilise these skills to shine a light on refugee issues in a creative manner.

Taza is originally from Afghanistan and arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand with his family at the age of four. Having navigated the challenges faced by migrant and refugee communities, he is currently pursuing his studies at New York University's Abu Dhabi campus. Taza is passionate about giving back to his community and creating positive change. His journey reflects resilience, ambition, and a commitment to making a difference.

Originally from Malaysia and now calling Aotearoa New Zealand home, Eric is a valued member of Empower’s funding team. He works behind the scenes to ensure our programmes and services can continue to support mentees across the country. A strong believer in people and education, Eric is passionate about creating opportunities for youth and making a difference through sustainable impact. Like many on the team, he believes education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world.

Chloe-Rose is Empower’s workshop coordinator, supporting both mentors and mentees. She leads the development of workshops covering key topics such as financial literacy and scholarship applications, helping refugee-background students build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Outside of Empower, Chloe-Rose is a lawyer with experience in youth advocacy, including work overseas. She is deeply inspired by the resilience and strength of the refugee community.

Grace is part of Empower’s mentoring team and plays a key role in overseeing our mentoring programme. She ensures that everything runs smoothly and that mentees are successfully matched with mentors from professional and tertiary backgrounds. With a strong belief in the power of mentoring to drive positive change, Grace is passionate about helping youth find their place in the world. She has a background in working with at-risk youth and has also volunteered with the Red Cross Refugee Resettlement Programme.

Erfan is a key member of Empower’s recruitment team. Coming from a refugee background himself, he is a passionate advocate for Empower’s mission and uses his own high school experiences to connect with and support new mentees. Grateful for the opportunities given to him by his parents and the New Zealand community, Erfan is dedicated to giving back wherever he can and helping other young people thrive.

Trish is a team leader at Empower, where she oversees 13 mentoring relationships. She plays a key role in training mentors and offering pastoral care and support to both mentors and mentees. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Law Studies and Arts Conjoint, Trish brings a strong interest in youth advocacy and refugee law to her work. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of young people is what led her to join the Empower team.

Swan-Lynn Lee

James Neumegan

Nosia Fogogo

Charlotte

Nurain

Stephanie Xie

Bhavini Parbhoo

Devanga

Sarah Adams

Tamarin Hart

Anastasia Coward-Morton

Simon Tate

Vritti Parasher

Amir Nagh

Luciana Zamprogne

Marina Charlie