Originally from Afghanistan, Zolfia moved to New Zealand at the age of four and holds a degree in Information Systems from the University of Auckland. With experience in public health at ADHB, she is now the Programme Coordinator for Empower. Having firsthand experience of the challenges faced by refugee youth, Zolfia is passionate about mentorship and committed to helping young people—particularly refugees—confidently navigate their education and career pathways.

Iqra is originally from Pakistan and has been living in New Zealand since she was 7 years old. She attended Mt Roskill Grammar School before pursuing her studies at Auckland University. Now a commercial lawyer, she is deeply passionate about refugee and human rights law. As part of the Empower team, Iqra contributes to the outreach mentoring programme. She is eager to connect with others and is always open to questions.

Felice is currently a second-year law student at the University of Auckland. Originally from Rotorua, she now resides in Auckland. Whenever she has the chance to visit home, she enjoys walking in the forests and lakes surrounding Rotorua. In her spare time, you’ll often find her curled up with a good book or playing the piano.

Anahita is a writer and photographer who joined the Empower team nearly a year ago. She originally from Herat, a city located in Afghanistan. Anahita came to New Zealand after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Currently, she is pursuing her studies at the University of Auckland. Anahita aims to be the voice for the women who are suffering from the current situation in Afghanistan.

Afnan Al-Rubayee is a dedicated community advocate with her work focused in the refugee and migrant, ethnic community space. A woman of many roles, embodying strength as a woman of colour, a public servant, a mother, a student, a founder, a mentor, a former local council candidate, and a tireless advocate for her communities in an advisory and consultancy capacity. She began her working life at the age of 15, gaining valuable experience in both the private and public sectors, which laid the foundation for her skills and ambitions. Empowering women and youth from former refugee and migrant backgrounds has become Afnan's mission. She strives to change the narrative surrounding refugees and ethnic communities through her mahi.

Aryan is passionate about all things computer and technology-related. He uses his combined skills in tech and passion for education to lead programmes for refugee youth across camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Over the pandemic, Aryan was able to develop and deliver workshops using innovative digital tools and technologies during teaching and learning. He believes digital learning is the future of education and is adamant that all refugees have access. Currently he serves as Empower’s Global Lead.

Bilal is currently a Clinical Psychology doctorate candidate at the University of Auckland. He is originally from Afghanistan and has been living in Aotearoa since 1999. He has a background in youth work with former refugees through the NZ Red Cross and sits on the Ministry of Youth Development's Partnership Fund Board.

Vaash is originally from Fiji and has been living in New Zealand for the past 9 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland and is currently working at a law firm in Auckland. She was previously a mentor with Empower before joining the wider team. She is passionate about gender and racial equality, LGBTQI+ rights, and raising mental health awareness.

Rawan is the newest member of the team and will be helping coordinate the Empower Youth mentoring program. She is originally from Iraq and has been in New Zealand for 11 years, currently studying in Auckland to be a journalist. Assisting young refugees in thriving is something she is incredibly passionate about and has been working with the refugee community for almost two years.

Swan-Lynn Lee

Grace Bennett

Trish Wright

Mortaza Sahar

Chloe-Rose Barakat-Devine

James Neumegan

Nosia Fogogo

Charlotte

Nurain

Erfan Rahimi

Stephanie Xie

Eric Yeo

Bhavini Parbhoo

Devanga

Sarah Adams

Tamarin Hart

Anastasia Coward-Morton

Simon Tate

Vritti Parasher

Amir Nagh

Luciana Zamprogne

Marina Charlie