Meet the Dear Em team!

Our Embassadors

Our team of Embassadors are the young people who guide everything Dear Em does. The Embassadors drive our projects, set our agenda, and inform all of our content, while being supported to become leaders in their own communities.

Stella Cranwell (She/Her)

Kia Ora! My name is Stella (she/her) and I’m very privileged to begin my third year on the Dear Em Leadership Team. I am an 18 year old first year student studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Auckland. My interest within Dear Em derives from my lived experiences with sexual violence, mental health, and being a young person in Aotearoa. I am also passionate in exploring others' lived experiences and thinking about ways we can empower others through harnessing them as a force for change. Outside of my work with Dear Em, I spend my time obsessing over my ginger cats (Tia and Bailey), reading books, drinking matcha, and connecting with my friends and family.

Erica Ngin (She/They/He)

Hi! My name is Erica (she/they/he). I'm 19 years old and have been a member of DearEm's Leadership Team since 2018. I am a Cambodian-Chinese. As the eldest of four siblings, I come from a whanau of seven. I am a second-year student doing a BE/BA with a specialisation in Software and a major in Psychology. Muy Thai and dance are two of my passions, though I'm not particularly good at either. I love doing anything artistic or creative, such as painting and knitting. I am a people person who enjoys spending time with my friends and family doing any of the above or nothing at all. I am deeply committed to making the world a better place.

Naina Manoj (She/Her)

Hey! My name is Naina (she/her). I am 17 and I study at CGHS. This is my very first year with Dear Em which I am super pumped and excited about. I am an anxious overthinker who would love to make a better and impactful change in the community we live in. Being a part of this team has made me realise even more that my voice, my feelings and my thoughts matter because let’s be honest as a South Asian woman, it is quite hard to find any kind of representation and to actually feel like you are “seen”. I am a huge Marvel geek. I can go all day talking about it (p.s I get emotional every time). I love playing the guitar, vibing to 80’s music and watching tv shows. Finally, I just wanted to say for anyone who is reading this I hope you are having a good day and you are awesome! Don’t listen to the bullies. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact the team. :)

 

Charlotte Jones

Hey, I'm Charlotte! This is my first year as a Dear Em Embassador and I am excited to see what follows in the future as part of this amazing team. I am 21 and currently a law and arts student at the University of Auckland, majoring in Criminology. My passion lies within the criminal justice system and victim advocacy, I particularly want to bring exposure to topics that affect young people. The Dear Em space has welcomed me in with open arms and I am looking forward to getting involved in many of the exciting projects for the year that reflect my morals and viewpoints. My spare time is often filled with people and animals, I love adventures and experiencing new things.

Monica Missen

Hey! My name is Monica. I am 22 and this is my first year at Dear Em as an embassador. I am also doing a student placement here as part of my degree. I am currently studying a Master of Sustainable Development Goals at Massey University, specialising in global development. Being in Dear Em has helped me gain confidence and put my feminist beliefs into practice. I am passionate about the empowerment and liberation of women, and educating young people about sexual violence and their rights. I want to turn my negative experiences in life into something good that will help other women. In my free time I like to crochet, read books, play cozy games, and watch procedural dramas for a little escapism.

Layba Zubair (She/Her)

Kia Ora !! My name is Layba (she/her) and I’ve been a part of Dear Em for over 3 years now! A few quick facts about me; I’m Pakistani, a law student at The University of Auckland and a huge Harry Potter nerd ;) Dear Em holds such a special place in my heart – it’s the reason I’ve been able to accomplish so much already. Being surrounded by so many like minded, lovely wahine reminds me why I keep fighting, and why advocacy is so important. I’m passionate about all things within the sexual violence sector, however my main focus is upon our laws, the way they are written – and the way we can change them. I’m a virgo, I love to read and if you ask me what my favourite book is, I probably can’t tell you because the answer changes every week hehehe :))))


 

Nesil Satani (She/Her)

Hi guys! My name is Nesil and I go by she/her pronouns. I’m 19 years old and this is my second year working with the Dear Em team. I am in my second year of university at the University of Waikato doing a management studies degree, majoring in strategic management and my minoring in project management and crime science. I love being part of Dear Em as it allows me to explore opportunities to not only support sexual violence survivors but also educate and create change in these spaces. Being around such like minded individuals is very empowering and allows for such safe and happy environments. I really enjoy spending time with loved ones, and usually that consists of going on walks, spending time at the beach, or trying out new food places. You might also find me doing some art and listening to music.

Harini Pushpakumar

Hey!! I’m Harini (she/her) and am currently in my second year at Dear Em <3

I’m a first year student at the University of Auckland studying Law and Arts majoring in Criminology and Psychology. I love brownies, mango lassi and a good convo about music. Dear Em is a place for all to feel safe and empowered by powerful wahine who are changing the world - and I’m so grateful to be a part of the mission. My passions surround womens rights, equality and fostering a space for our SEA (South East Asian) community. I’m so excited to continue my journey at Dear Em creating posts and projects that can hopefully bring change to this world.

Nuha Wadhwania (She/Her)

As a teenager in this society everything is always go-go-go and every output (including yourself) has to be perfect - otherwise there’s nothing but judgement. Dear Em is one of the only spaces in which I don’t need to morph myself into something unrealistic. It’s unbelievable how sitting down with the team for 15 minutes can flush all negativity present and allow you to finally rest the huge weights off your shoulders. I believe every single young person deserves to feel the joy of being able to exist in a place where no one judges or asks questions - and that is why I joined this beautiful team! If there’s anything you need to know about me it’s that; I love games and challenges, travelling gives me life, my love language is quality time and I love baked goods so much I might marry a baker ;)


 

Sanskruti Banerjee

Kia Ora and Namaste! My name is Sanskruti and I have been a part of Dear Em for almost two years now. I’m half Tamil, half Bengali raised Kiwi and am studying a Law and Commerce degree at the University of Auckland. My commerce majors are innovation and entrepreneurship and marketing. I love the Dear Ems space because it allows me to be surrounded and uplifted by individuals who believe in fostering tangible change. I have learnt a lot regarding the sexual violence sector, legal reform and how women can strive to be the best versions of themselves. My personal passions include human rights, international diplomacy and seeing more women taking up space in areas of leadership and power. I am optimistic in the power which the youth have and love chatting, mentoring and leading them to help unlock their potential and foster the changes we want to see within these spaces.

Jessie Randles (She/Her/They/Them)

Kia Ora, I’m Jessie and I go by she/her and they/them pronouns. I found Dear Em during my search for a required uni internship where my placement would support my budding art practice. Dear Em allowed me to delve into my beliefs and art, which is strongly centred around intersectional feminism. Having completed my internship, I chose to stay with Dear Em because I found a profound sense of security within its supportive community. It's been a wonderful journey this far.
Art holds a significant place in my life—it acts as a fluid journal, constantly evolving and providing glimpses of my inner world to those around me. It effortlessly adapts to my mood and routine, embracing the sudden shifts that life brings. Beyond my art practice and involvement with Dear Em, I have a penchant for discovering cozy cafes, indulging in their hot chocolates, all while people watching. Additionally, I find solace in the quiet moments spent at home with my dogs, even though they tend to bark if a leaf falls to loudly. As for this year, I've set a personal goal to expand my horizons by selling my tarot card art to individuals beyond my immediate community. I aspire to venture outside of Auckland and showcase my work at various farmer markets, fostering new connections along the way. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I'm excited to share more of my journey and creations with you.

Medha Baadkar

Hey there! I'm Medha, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Dear Em Ambassadors team. A bit about myself? I’m a Year 10 at CGHS, and I’d like to think I'm a curious soul with a love for exploring new ideas and connecting with people. One of the things I'm truly passionate about is empowering others through communication and self-expression. Whether it's through writing, public speaking, or engaging in meaningful conversations, I believe in the power of words to inspire, educate, and uplift. I'm a total bookworm and can often be found buried in a captivating novel. I also have a knack for languages and enjoy learning phrases in different tongues. Another thing that gets my adrenaline pumping is trying out adventurous activities like rock climbing and skydiving. You could say I have an adventurous spirit! As a Dear Em Ambassador, I'm excited to connect with our followers, share my experiences, and provide support and guidance whenever needed. Together, we can create a positive and empowering community where everyone feels heard and valued. I can't wait to embark on this journey with you all, and I'm eager to make a difference in the lives of those around me.

 

Atia Irfan

Hi! I'm Atia, and I've been a proud member of the Dear Em team for a few awesome years now., and Dear Em has become a second home. I'm super passionate about community safety and making a positive social impact, which is why I keep coming back to Dear Em year after year. Not only do I get to learn about leadership here, but I also get to meet the most amazing peers with incredibly inspiring ideas. We all work together towards our common goals, and it's truly a beautiful thing. Even if I happen to be halfway across the world, the Dear Em family never fails to have my back and support me in achieving my dreams. Currently I attend Dear Em from Texas, USA and can’t wait to reunite again.


Rebecca D’Souza (She/Her)

Heya! My name is Rebecca (she/her). I am 21 years old and currently a fourth-year law student. I am very passionate about advocating for women’s rights and for transformative change in our legal system especially regarding New Zealand’s consent laws. In my free time, I love to read, listen to music especially Taylor Swift and watching cheesy 2000s romcoms. I am very grateful to be a part of Dear Em and have loved every minute of working alongside such amazing women on exciting projects.

Abi Spence (She/Her)

Hiya, I’m Abi (she/her). I am 18, and this is my first year in Dear Em. I was inspired by Dear Em to become a part of making change. I am passionate about inspiring and educating young women, and enjoy the projects and conversations we engage in at Dear Em. It’s nice to talk to like minded people, and I love the deep discussions we have as a team. I love music, especially early 2000s rock, and really enjoy going to new and different live performances. Once a week I do pottery classes, where over the last 3 years I’ve made more bowls and mugs than I will ever need, and have spent time also teaching children's classes. I am a massive fan of formula 1 and my mum and I watch it together on the weekends. Everyday I love doing the New York Times wordle and mini crossword. I’m excited to be working with Dear Em this year, and to have this opportunity to grow alongside the team.

 

Our Coordinators

Our coordinators are responsible for the day to day operations of Dear Em, and supporting the Embassador’s throughout their journey on our Leadership Programme.

 

Imogen Stone (She/Her)
Acting Programme Lead - Dear Em

Kia ora! I’m Imogen, I am of Ngāpuhi and Pākehā descent, and I have been a part of the Dear Em team since January 2021 as a Youth Development Worker. I first became involved in youth-led initiatives when I was 15, which ignited my passion for spaces that empower and offer opportunities for young people. I see myself as a proud feminist, and have a special interest in the areas of women’s health and politics. I love being a part of Dear Em because it is a truly unique space that makes me feel hopeful about the change we can achieve when we come together. I also love getting to be creative, and working out how to share info with people through new and different types of media, so you will often find me spending my spare time exploring new concepts and ideas on canva #CanvaQueen

Sammie Dudley (She/Her)
Dear Em Youth Development Worker

Kia ora! My name is Sammie and I’m one of the Youth Development Workers at Dear Em. I’m a 25 year old Takatāpui student studying my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The University of Auckland and I’m a proud feminist. I love the idea of feminism being about empowerment, creativity and expressive sexuality. As a Māori wahine, I seek out the many ways Māori women in our history have led the way for feminism to be a movement to help women realise their inner mana. Those values are ones that carry me through this mahi and my study as a clinical psychology student, keeping in mind the purpose to ultimately shift perceptions of challenging kōrero to opportunities for self-awareness.

 

Our Mentors

Our Mentors volunteer up their time and expertise to support our team. They are there to explore and foster our Embassador’s ideas, share their knowledge and experience, and support the growth and development of our team and their projects.

Miriam Gioia Sessa (She/Her)

Miriam became involved in Feminist and Social Justice activism at 14 while living in Rome, and has worked in different areas of the specialist sexual violence sector for 20 years. She is passionate about working with young people, and enjoys seeing the Dear Em team grow and lift each other up. Miriam is proud of becoming an older woman that her younger-radical-kickass-feminist-self would be so proud of looking at now, and is glad that she is able to pass down both feminist based and organisational knowledge to the team.

Neda Jamali

Hi, my name is Neda. I have joined the Dear Em team quite recently and have been honoured to be a part of this space where we can talk about women empowerment! I’m a 25 years old Middle Eastern woman currently working my way towards a Masters degree in Psychology at Massey University. Women’s well-being in general is one of the things I’m very passionate about; my research thesis focuses on the experiences of Middle Eastern women with honour-based violence (HBV) in Aotearoa New Zealand. I also work part-time as a Psycho-Educational Programme Facilitator providing support to women who struggle with domestic/sexual violence. Other than having the privilege to work alongside women, I enjoy watching crime shows/movies/documentaries during my free time and playing Call of Duty Mobile. 

Being a part of the Dear Em team has certainly been rewarding, I have been learning from everyone something new every time! And while I may come off as a shy or quiet person, know that I am approachable and happy to support the team with anything.

Heather Golder

 
 

Chloe Jackman

Oggy Nweke