About us

The Shift Foundation is a youth-development organisation supporting young women aged 12-25 years to lead their best lives. We help young women feel more:

CONNECTED

with strong, trusted relationships with peers, positive role models, and their wider communities.

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CONFIDENT

in their self identity, self-worth and holistic well-being.

EMPOWERED

in their lives, with opportunities to influence the issues that matter to them.

OUR APPROACH

Build whanaungatanga (strong relationships)
Co-design and collaborate
Create inclusive and fun experiences
Holistic - focus on the needs of the whole person
Empower the next leaders

SHIFTING THE SYSTEM

We also support people who influence young women’s lives to be more:

informed - about what works for young women
capable - to meet young women’s needs through their practice
inclusive - of young women in their decision-making processes

Meet the team

We care deeply about using our diverse skills to create positive change for young women's wellbeing.

Founder | She/her

Fran McEwen

Fran's purpose in life is to improve the

wellbeing of young women. Shift was inspired to start Shift by her own 'tricky' teenage years and a love of working alongside young people.

Puawai Lead | She/her

Kata Ngatai

Kata was born in Porirua and grew up in the Wairarapa which she now calls home. She is passionate about physical activity, sport and kapa haka. 'Tenei he uri nō Ngati Porou, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui me ngā moutere o Rarotonga, e mihi ake nei.'

Operations and Inspiration | She/her

Chloe Bryan

Chloe has been part of the shifterhood since it's inception, and has a background in youth work, events and management. Chloe is passionate about using a human-centered approach to build a community that empowers young women to lead, move, grow and inspire themselves and others.

Operations and Impact

Vicky Lester

Vicky is passionate about measuring impact and highlighting success through evidence and data. She has a background in event management, community development and monitoring and reporting, and has led a number of major community grants programmes in both Australia and New Zealand.

FUNDED BY

Co-chair | She/her
Maddi McLean

Young People Participation Manager, Golf New Zealand

Co-chair
Gina Rembe-Stevens

Associate Director - Human-centered Design, PwC

Trustee
Astuti Balram

NZ Health Plan Lead, DPMC

Trustee | She/her
Robyn Cockburn

Director and consultant, Lumin

OUR BOARD

Trustee | He/him
Julian Todd

Acting General Manager, Community Activation, Sport New Zealand

Trustee | She/her
Leone Vito-Toleafoa

Head of Partnerships & Engagement, Pacific Media Network

Trustee | She/her
Rachel Knight

Social Impact Design Principal, DNA Design

Trustee
Jake Downing

Head of Tourism, Wētā Workshop Ltd

About us

EMPOWERED

Meet the team

FUNDED BY

Co-chair | She/her Maddi McLean Young People Participation Manager, Golf New Zealand

Co-chair Gina Rembe-Stevens Associate Director - Human-centered Design, PwC

Trustee Astuti Balram NZ Health Plan Lead, DPMC

Trustee | She/her Robyn Cockburn Director and consultant, Lumin

OUR BOARD

Trustee | He/him Julian Todd Acting General Manager, Community Activation, Sport New Zealand

Trustee | She/her Leone Vito-Toleafoa Head of Partnerships & Engagement, Pacific Media Network

Trustee | She/her Rachel Knight Social Impact Design Principal, DNA Design

Trustee Jake Downing Head of Tourism, Wētā Workshop Ltd