Our People
At YWCA of Hamilton, our people are the heart of everything we do.
From those leading activities in the community to the team working behind the scenes, each person plays a vital role in empowering wāhine and creating positive change across the Waikato.
We also have a dedicated social enterprise team working tirelessly to keep our hostel and venue running smoothly, 365 days a year.
Our Board of Directors
Jenni Murphy-Scalon
Jenni is a change and leadership specialist based in Kirikiriroa. As CEO of the Performing Arts Community Trust (PACT), Board President of YWCA Hamilton, and Chair of Riverlea Theatre and Arts Centre, she brings a dynamic blend of community-driven governance and performing arts leadership.
Since founding Strategies Direct Limited, Jenni has provided executive-level consulting across change management, talent, and strategy. A committed mentor, she has contributed to academic research, supports emerging talent (including supervising Wintec students), and regularly shares strategic insights through her writing and participation in community and professional forums.
Her governance approach centres on human resilience, inclusiveness, and sustainable organisational design—balancing community impact with strategic rigour.
Tarran Frost
Tarran is a seasoned finance professional with an 18-year career spanning key areas such as Management Accounting, Business Partnering, and Internal Audit. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Business, and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Tarran currently serves as Treasurer on the Board of YWCA Hamilton, as well as Treasurer for another charity close to her heart—House of Science Central Waikato.
Tarran is deeply aligned with the mission and values of the YWCA, particularly its commitment to empowering women and creating equitable opportunities. She is passionate about the transformative impact the YWCA can have on young women, and is excited to contribute her expertise to help the organisation grow its reach and deepen its impact within the community.
Jaime Lomas
Jaime is a highly respected employment lawyer and Managing Director at DTI Lawyers, based in Hamilton. She has nearly 20 years of legal experience, specialising in employment law.
Her experience as a lawyer provides her with a range of skills and well-rounded perspective to advise on both practical and technical issues. She is a regular presenter to clients and industry groups on employment law matters to raise awareness of workplace legal obligations.
Since 2024, Jaime has been proud to serve on the board of the YWCA Hamilton, further demonstrating her commitment to leadership and community development.
Beyond her legal work, Jaime prioritises her personal life, spending quality time with her family and friends.
Nellie-Ann Abraham
Nellie-Ann (Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Te Parawhau, Patuharakeke, Kahungunu, Raukawa) is a highly respected director, consultant, and educator with a strong track record of leadership in Māori education, cultural competency, and strategic advisory.
With over a decade of experience spanning corporate, public sector, and iwi-led initiatives, she is committed to empowering organisations with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to meaningfully integrate Māori language, culture, and values.
Shinae Teao
Shinae is a public sector leader driving capital and infrastructure delivery for Health New Zealand Waikato. With over a decade of experience in construction, property, and programme management, she is passionate about creating equitable, people-focused systems through strategic investment in the built environment.
Known for her collaborative leadership and ability to navigate complex projects, Shinae brings practical expertise in stakeholder engagement, governance, and sustainability. She serves on the boards of YWCA Hamilton and HERA, offering insight on data, innovation, and representation in the infrastructure sector.
Rooted in the King Country, Shinae is a mother, creative thinker, and strong advocate for place-based leadership. Her non-traditional path reflects her belief in real-world experience, continuous learning, and accessible leadership — especially for women, Māori, and emerging leaders. She also has a keen interest in conservation and the responsible use of emerging technologies like AI in construction.
Diana Barber
Diana is a finance and technology leader at Datacom, where she heads the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain team. With a background in finance and digital delivery, she combines her Chartered Accountant qualification with expertise in ERP, cybersecurity, and AI to lead transformation projects across industries.
Passionate about inclusive leadership, Diana champions women in technology and accounting, mentoring others and advocating for greater visibility and diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Beyond her corporate role, she serves on the Audit and Risk Committee for YWCA Hamilton and the Baseball Trust Foundation, contributing her skills to community governance and social change. She has also served on the board of NZ Baseball.
Diana holds a Master of Professional Accounting from AUT and a degree in Economics and Finance. A proud New Zealand track and field athlete, she represented Aotearoa at the 2023 Pacific Games, embodying resilience and determination both on and off the track.
Charlotte Mitchell
Charlotte joined the YWCA Waikato board in 2024, bringing with her a genuine interest in youth engagement and making sure young people have a say in the decisions that affect them. While studying, she spent time working with organisations focused on rangatahi development, particularly around youth employment—an area she continues to support through her involvement with the Young Workers Resource Centre and Youth Employability Aotearoa.
Her decision to join the YWCA board came from a desire to support young women in the Waikato and be part of a kaupapa that fosters connection and community.
Charlotte holds an LLB from the University of Waikato and was admitted to the bar in 2024. She currently works as a Solicitor at a local council.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading and has recently taken on the personal challenge of training for her first half Ironman—despite being a complete novice and barely being able to bike!
Ehlana Blissett
Ehlana joined the YWCA board in 2024 and enjoys being part of an organisation that’s focused on improving the lives of women in the Waikato.
In her spare time Ehlana loves playing Dungeons & Dragons and getting creative with different kinds of crafts. By day, she works with neurodiverse children and youth, helping them build skills so they can thrive and enjoy life.
Shree Kumar
Shree is passionate about advancing gender equity and empowering young women, rangatahi, and whānau; values that closely align with the kaupapa of YWCA Hamilton. Her background in community engagement, governance, and advocacy includes roles with GirlGuiding NZ, Youthline and Kidz Social Services, where she works directly with adult women, young people and children to foster confidence, leadership, and wellbeing.
Shree believes in creating inclusive, strengths-based spaces where young women and gender-diverse communities can thrive. Shree is excited to contribute her experience to support YWCA’s mission and help shape its strategic direction for long-term, equitable impact in the Waikato community.
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