Danielle J. Kerchmar, Chair

Danielle began her career in international development while serving 27 months in eastern Ukraine as a TEFL Peace Corps volunteer. Following this, she continued the career path gaining a Master at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies in Colorado, USA. Danielle has experience across NGOs, government, and for-profit in HIV/AIDS, microfinance, social enterprise, women’s empowerment, and horticulture. She speaks Spanish & Russian, loves reading, and loves connecting with people across diverse backgrounds.

Phoebe Hardefeldt, Vice-Chair

Phoebe is an international development expert with ten years experience in government, the United Nations and the NGO sector tackling complex aid and climate problems and driving effective aid programming. Areas of expertise include aid program design, monitoring and evaluation; providing analysis and strategic advice on international aid, foreign policy and climate change policy issues; portfolio and budget strategy, and negotiating in multilateral forums.

David Chau, Business Engagement Co-Chair

David is passionate about international development and seeing aid being delivered effectively to those in need. Trained as an engineer, David is now a management consultant. His areas of focus include strategy development and project and programme management.

Jade Jackson, Membership Co-Chair

Jade studied Educational Psychology and Social Policy as an undergrad student, in the hope of understanding a little bit about how social change happens. She is currently still learning by working in the INGO world, and has previously interned for the NZ Government Aid Programme. Her interests include transparency in supply chains and exploring how all business can adopt ethical and sustainable practices. Otherwise found nerding out on sci-fi or dancing to reggaeton.

Elena Pesina, Treasurer

Elena is a PhD student in the field of international law of development cooperation.

Five years of experience in an international NGO promoting leadership among young people made her passionate about being an agent of positive change. Having studied and taught law in Russia, Israel and New Zealand, Elena desires to use her experience and knowledge for creating positive change through education and research.

Elena is keen on healthy life-style, doing sports, baking healthy cakes and intercultural exchange.

Amy Lee, Communications & Awareness C0-Chair

Amy is registering as a pharmacist and aspires to contribute to international development particularly in the healthcare sector. She is passionate about helping others, promoting equality and improving social outcomes. Her areas of interest include social enterprise, non-for-profit organisations, alleviation of global health problems and building sustainable solutions through innovative business approaches.

She loves a good game of indoor netball, outdoor photography and meeting other passionate individuals.

Rahini Uniyaal, Events Co-Chair

Ra is passionate about education and international development. Her career began in the not-for profit sector planning events and raising awareness regarding various social causes in India. Eventually, she made her way into helping students make informed choices for an international career and finding pathways to achieve their dreams.

She is a qualified management professional and a yoga teacher on sunny days. She loves travelling, meeting new people from diverse cultures and is always keen for a good conversation.