Our Team
DEBBI TOHILL
Executive Director
Debbi is passionate about organisational development and brings a wealth of experience in workforce development, training and research.
She is also passionate about ensuring good services and support are available to survivors of sexual assault and looks forward to continuing to work with government and other organisations to this end.
“I am excited to be a part of the RPE team. I am a strong advocate of educating young people to ensure they have respectful relationships and are able to make informed choices around consent.“
Debbi joined RPE in 2015 as Acting Executive Director and was appointed as Executive Director in October of that year. She had previously had ten years’ service on the RPE board including terms as Chair. Debbi has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit and public sector.
OLIVIA FAULDING
Programmes Co-ordinator
Olivia began working for RPE as a member of the educating team in early 2017. While studying Social Anthropology and Psychology at the University of Auckland, Olivia knew she wanted to be an active part of change in how young people and adults interact with 'rape culture' in Aotearoa. Olivia is also a very active member of our team having annualy volunteered as supervisor to young wahine on outdoor hikes and camping expeditions and also as a Surf Lifeguard on the East Coast. She is also crazy enough to compete in endurance Triathlons in her spare time.
ASHIANA SHAH
Operations Manager
Ashiana Shah is the Operations Manager of Rape Prevention Education and has been for 6 years. On top of this she has 19 years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector in financial management, human resources, grants funding and administration.
She graduated from Unitec with a Graduate Diploma in not for profit management. Ashiana is from Fiji and moved to Auckland with her partner in 2008. When she is not working she enjoys cooking, reading and watching documentaries.
LESLEY-ANN GUILD
Programme Manager
Lesley-Ann has a background working with young people of diverse sexes, sexualities and genders and more than a decade working in sexuality education. She has had the pleasure of seeing first-hand how much difference great education around sexuality and relationships can make. Lesley is excited to be able to focus on consent education and sexual violence prevention as she is passionate about education as a way of supporting social change. Lesley feels privileged to be part of the work and history of RPE. Outside of work Lesley plays hockey, indoor netball and loves to bake and share indulgent food.
ELIZA MELLING
Educator
Eliza loves being a Bodysafe educator. Her favourite parts of the job are visiting lots of different schools around Auckland and having chats with intelligent and inspiring young people about sex, consent, and healthy relationships. Before RPE, Eliza studied Education and Criminology at Victoria University of Wellington but she now calls Auckland home. Eliza is passionate about violence prevention and working with rangatahi to keep our communities safe. When she's not teaching or in the office she will be at her other job - nannying, exploring beautiful Aotearoa, booking flights, cuddling her dog Zulu, reading, or swimming in the ocean.
ISHAN SARMAH
Educator
Ishan is part of our permanent team and is also a passionate educator on the BodySafe team. “It’s a pretty cool job, getting to talk relationships and respect with young people all over Auckland is always a fun time.” Ishan lived in Hamilton before moving to Auckland to study Politics at Auckland University. Ishan is now doing his Masters in Human Rights at AUT. When Ishan is not working, he spend his time skating, watching/obsessing over film, and reading comic books.
LAURA THOMPSON
Educator
Laura is one of our permanent Lead Educators and loves being able to work with young people every day. She is passionate about helping young people to identify what makes a healthy relationship, and loves injecting fun and energy into her lessons. “I feel so lucky to be able to have these conversations with our rangatahi, and I really admire how open-minded and curious so many of them are.” Laura comes from a performance background and graduated from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 2014 with a Bachelor of Performing Arts. Outside of work, Laura enjoys kickboxing, being outside and learning bizarre animal facts.
THE CASUAL TEAM
Educators
We are blessed with a team of incredible skilled casual educators who deliver our programmes out in the community. If you want to know more about them, click on the button below.