OUR TEAM
The faces behind Family Drug Support
Management Team
PAULINE STEWART
Founder & Co-Executive Officer
Pauline is a Registered Psychologist with Counselling and Educational Scopes of Practice and is also a Registered Counsellor. A member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (MNZPsS) and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), her background is psychology and education. Pauline was employed as a psychologist by the Ministry of Education in Southland for 16 years working as a Service Leader supporting children with high and complex needs
and their families. She established a private psychology practice in 2008 and undertakes psychological work and supervision.
Pauline has worked in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) field for over 20 years. In 2018 she founded Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand.
EMMA READ
Co-Executive Officer
Emma is a Registered Educational and Developmental Psychologist. She has worked as a psychologist for the Ministry of Education using a strengths-based and collaborative approach to supporting children and young people to attend, engage, and participate in education. She maintains a private psychology practice working with children, young people, families, and schools. As a parent of four sons, she understands the challenges families face and is experienced in working to promote well-being, empower families and support positive change.
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PIP MEHRTENS
Administration Leader
Pip, The Generalist, is a business consultant for small and micro businesses and not-for-profit organisations. She helps start-ups determine commercial viability, create business and marketing plans, and helps them set up websites and business operations. Established organisations use Pip as a sounding board for ideas and challenges, to help them refresh strategies and plans, create websites, problem-solve, manage projects, grow revenue, plan and deliver marketing, write grant applications, and perform business operational services. Pip is currently bringing her operational, financial, marketing and administration expertise to Family Drug Support, acting as Administration Leader and Board Secretary.
ANA SANTOS
Clinical Leader
Ana is a Registered Psychologist in Brazil. She has a master’s degree in psychology in the Clinical and Social Interventions area and also obtained an MSc in Health Sciences Professional Practice, endorsed in Health and Community, at the University of Canterbury. Ana has worked as a professor and internship supervisor in the undergraduate Psychology course in Brazil and had a private practice since 2015. Ana started working as volunteer for Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 and became a 5-Step Accredited Practitioner and Assessor in 2021.
The Board
PAULINE STEWART
Trustee, Executive Officer
Pauline is a Registered Psychologist with Counselling and Educational Scopes of Practice and is also a Registered Counsellor. A member of the New Zealand Psychological Society (MNZPsS) and a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), her background is psychology and education. Pauline was employed as a psychologist by the Ministry of Education in Southland for 16 years working as a Service Leader supporting children with high and complex needs
and their families. She established a private psychology practice in 2008 and undertakes psychological work and supervision.
Pauline has worked in the Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) field for over 20 years. In 2018 she founded Family Drug Support Aotearoa New Zealand. She is currently the Executive Officer and Clinical Leader at Family Drug
Support. She is also a Board member. In 2022 Pauline was awarded one of the 100 Kiwibank Local Hero awards.
JOHN BARR
Independent Director & Chairperson
John is a professional director and provides governance, business operational and strategic advice at the managing director / owner level, primarily for SMEs. Primary roles include the St George’s Hospital Society President and Director; Chairman at Canterbury Scientific, Southern Horticultural Products and Aqualinc Research; a number of governance advisory roles; Business Mentor; and membership of the GlobalScot Scottish business support network. John has chief executive and directorship experience across a broad range of industry environments, covering manufacturing, contract manufacturing, technology and electricity company trusts. His directorship and governance roles began in 1990. He is a past National President of the New Zealand Organisation for Quality.
JAN SPENCE
Trustee
Jan has recently retired from 22 years in leadership and management of addiction and mental health services at the Christchurch City Mission.
Currently she is providing clinical supervision for staff working in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. Jan has a mental health nursing background with a Master of Health Science degree endorsed in Mental Health.
Jan enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and travelling with her husband.
PETER FERNANDO
Trustee, Lawyer
Peter is a Partner in law firm Duncan Cotterill’s corporate and commercial team. He specialises in information technology, consumer, and intellectual property law, supporting clients on a range of commercial and contracting matters. Outside of work, Peter enjoys playing cricket and spending time with his wife and young son.
NATHAN CHICKEN
Trustee, Lecturer
Nathan's passion is to help people and support them to not only grow, but to help them to help others grow. He believes in sharing knowledge, that learning is always occurring and that it is important that he also continues learning. Nathan is experienced within the education and financial services industry. He has a background in the education sector where he is a Lecturer within the Business and Marketing fields. Nathan is a firm believer that culture, people and community are the foundations for building a strong and effective business. His interests are within the education, health and wellbeing sectors.
BRENDA LOWE-JOHNSON
Kaumātua
Brenda has worked as Manager for organisations such as Te Rito Arahi; an AOD organisation, The Methodist Mission, and Pacific Island Evaluations. She has sat on committees for The Mayor's Welfare Fund and the Canterbury Community Trust. IN 2015 she had a vision to help those who were not able to help themselves and founded The Collective for the Homeless in 2015 as a decolonised organisation with no bureaucracy. The manaakitanga and aroha the team show clients is evident in the respect they have for the organisation.