Dana MacDiarmid
Chair
A collective of dedicated people committed to change.
Partnering for a fair future across the Pacific.
Meet the council
Volunteer Service Abroad Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA) was founded in 1962, with its first volunteers deployed in 1963, supported by the New Zealand government and public subscriptions. Today, VSA continues as a strong membership-based Incorporated Society, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and public donations.
Members vote on resolutions at the Annual General Meeting held each November. The organisation is guided by its Kaitakawaenga and governed by a Council that meets 4–5 times a year with the CEO (Te Tumu Whakara) to oversee strategy and policy.
The Council has four elected members and can co-opt up to three others to address skill gaps or fill early vacancies. Elections follow a rotating cycle, with at least half of elected members stepping down at the end of each term.
Meet our Pacific Advisory Group members
Meet the staff
VSA’s impact is made possible by the collective strength of our people, working together across Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Since 1962, our whānau has grown into a diverse, passionate network united by a commitment to sustainable, community-led development.
Senior leadership team
Open Michelle Evans
Michelle Evans
Director, Programmes and Volunteer Services/Delivery, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Wellington managers
- Jess Brew, People & Culture Advisor
- Franziska Buch, Recruitment Advisor
- Nat Chesterfield, Operations Coordinator
- Wendy Choo, Senior MERL Insights Advisor
- Charlie Devenish, Fundraising Advisor
- Lavanlou Keliwin, Desktop Support
- Van La Senior Data Analyst
- Leanne Law, Finance Assistant
- Sharon Li, Programmes Accountant
- Eamon Lesperance, Recruitment Advisor
- Alofa Lopati, Operations Coordinator
- La'I Lopati-Lepou, Recruitment Coordinator
- David Redman, Visual and Digital Marketer
- Vanessa Ross, Recruitment Advisor
- Lauren Spurdle, Membership and Events Coordinator
- Aarthi Srinivasan, Operations Advisor
- Patricia Stratton, People & Facilities Coordinator
- Chris Whitehead, Operations Coordinator
- Roman Zarate, Fundraising Assistant
Overseas staff
Returned and Previous Volunteer Advisory Group
The Returned and Previous Volunteer Advisory Group (RPVAG) is made up of Volunteer Service Abroad - Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA) alumni who have recently completed volunteer assignments. This group meets online, three to four times a year, to share their insights and provide VSA staff with valuable advice on matters affecting volunteers and the communities they serve.
Drawing on their first-hand experiences, RPVAG members help us enhance the volunteer journey and strengthen the impact of our work in the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Their feedback plays a crucial role in shaping how we support current and future volunteers.
Current RPVAG Members are:
- Lewis Johnson
- Jan Kennington
- Rosina Watson
- Alan Schofield
- Mark Young
- Jonty Crane
- Lauren Spurdle, VSA Membership and Events Coordinator, ensures that the meetings run smoothly and effectively.