Our Governance team
Alison Howard, Chair
The group I attended made such a big difference to me when I was on maternity leave with my first child - I want to make sure as many women who want to can have the same experience I did. I have a business and sustainability background, so I hope I bring skills that will ensure we can continue to bring groups to Wellington women far into the future.
I have two boys born April 2013 and October 2016. My husband is a stay at home dad for our family, which brings its own challenges but it pretty awesome most of the time! These are the sorts of things we talk about in our groups - how we navigate these choices (or lack of choices) and how that plays out in terms of how we feel about ourselves as people, as women and as mothers.
I was in a group in 2013 when I was on maternity leave. I knew I would struggle with being at home with a baby as I'm a strong extrovert - I need lots of adult company! I signed up for heaps of things, but it was the Mothers Network group where I found my people. It meant a lot to me to be able to talk about the loss of identity I felt in becoming a mother, and how amazing I found it that you could feel intense love and misery at the same time, or have no time but be utterly bored! I had to give my self permission to feel negative emotions and still believe in myself as a mother. The group and friends I made from that group really helped me with that.
I think we are all capable of strength when we need it, and I admire most the women who have faced challenges head on, and surprised themselves with what they're capable of. We are women hear us roar!
The group I attended made such a big difference to me when I was on maternity leave with my first child - I want to make sure as many women who want to can have the same experience I did. I have a business and sustainability background, so I hope I bring skills that will ensure we can continue to bring groups to Wellington women far into the future.
I have two boys born April 2013 and October 2016. My husband is a stay at home dad for our family, which brings its own challenges but it pretty awesome most of the time! These are the sorts of things we talk about in our groups - how we navigate these choices (or lack of choices) and how that plays out in terms of how we feel about ourselves as people, as women and as mothers.
I was in a group in 2013 when I was on maternity leave. I knew I would struggle with being at home with a baby as I'm a strong extrovert - I need lots of adult company! I signed up for heaps of things, but it was the Mothers Network group where I found my people. It meant a lot to me to be able to talk about the loss of identity I felt in becoming a mother, and how amazing I found it that you could feel intense love and misery at the same time, or have no time but be utterly bored! I had to give my self permission to feel negative emotions and still believe in myself as a mother. The group and friends I made from that group really helped me with that.
I think we are all capable of strength when we need it, and I admire most the women who have faced challenges head on, and surprised themselves with what they're capable of. We are women hear us roar!
Lisa Jones - Group Development and Support Manager
I discovered Mothers Network over 7 years ago I was feeling very isolated and alone so I enrolled in one of the groups.
Meeting other mums who “got it” was life changing and I have remained in contact with all the other mums from my group.
Since then I have become the babysitting coordinator and I now facilitate the Parenting alone groups.
I have completed a number of mental health courses which has confirmed my belief that your own mental health is vital especially as a mother and as a solo mum of an 11 year old as well as a 5 year old I know how hard it can be juggling everything.
Being with Mothers Network for some time I’ve been able to see firsthand so many mums, refreshed, inspired and feeling more confident after building connections within our groups this has made me extremely passionate about what we do.
I look forward to working and learning from some of the amazing organisations we are lucky enough to work alongside.
I discovered Mothers Network over 7 years ago I was feeling very isolated and alone so I enrolled in one of the groups.
Meeting other mums who “got it” was life changing and I have remained in contact with all the other mums from my group.
Since then I have become the babysitting coordinator and I now facilitate the Parenting alone groups.
I have completed a number of mental health courses which has confirmed my belief that your own mental health is vital especially as a mother and as a solo mum of an 11 year old as well as a 5 year old I know how hard it can be juggling everything.
Being with Mothers Network for some time I’ve been able to see firsthand so many mums, refreshed, inspired and feeling more confident after building connections within our groups this has made me extremely passionate about what we do.
I look forward to working and learning from some of the amazing organisations we are lucky enough to work alongside.
Jaci Barreto - Finance Manager
I am a solo mum to two amazing girls, aged 4 and 6.
The motherhood journey was a pleasant surprise for me - I had my graduation the same month that my first daughter was born. After that it was an intense blur of feelings and experiences... I found the first few years to be incredibly gratifying, and also very lonely.
We moved countries a few times, until we landed in New Zealand. Here I found community and connection through PlayCentre, and I got my Certificate in Early Childhood.
I worked (from home) with birthEd, providing childbirth courses in the Hutt region. At this point I decided to dive into my interest for numbers, accounts and money, and started studying bookkeeping. I've been working in the finance field for sometime since.
Eventually I found Mothers Network, and am so very pleased I can help as Finance Manager. I firmly believe we all need a 'village', especially new mothers, and this may take different forms in modern lives - Mothers Network is one of them.
I am a solo mum to two amazing girls, aged 4 and 6.
The motherhood journey was a pleasant surprise for me - I had my graduation the same month that my first daughter was born. After that it was an intense blur of feelings and experiences... I found the first few years to be incredibly gratifying, and also very lonely.
We moved countries a few times, until we landed in New Zealand. Here I found community and connection through PlayCentre, and I got my Certificate in Early Childhood.
I worked (from home) with birthEd, providing childbirth courses in the Hutt region. At this point I decided to dive into my interest for numbers, accounts and money, and started studying bookkeeping. I've been working in the finance field for sometime since.
Eventually I found Mothers Network, and am so very pleased I can help as Finance Manager. I firmly believe we all need a 'village', especially new mothers, and this may take different forms in modern lives - Mothers Network is one of them.
Emma Bramwell - HR Manager
I have a background in HR and research, and experience of working in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. In 2016 I moved back to New Zealand with my family from the U.K. to start my nursing studies. I have a particular passion for maternal mental and physical health and hope to pursue this on graduating.
Early in 2017 I attended a ‘Working Mums Group’ through Mothers Network and gained an enormous amount from being able to share joys and stresses with other mothers. I have since trained to be a Mothers Network facilitator, and especially enjoy the challenge of bringing a group together, initiating discussions, and watching friendships grow. I have now witnessed from both sides just what a difference an organisation like Mothers Network can make in the lives of women.
I have a wonderful and hilarious wee girl, who alongside my incredibly supportive husband, is very understanding of me parenting whilst studying and working. Something I certainly couldn’t do without their love and support.
I have a background in HR and research, and experience of working in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. In 2016 I moved back to New Zealand with my family from the U.K. to start my nursing studies. I have a particular passion for maternal mental and physical health and hope to pursue this on graduating.
Early in 2017 I attended a ‘Working Mums Group’ through Mothers Network and gained an enormous amount from being able to share joys and stresses with other mothers. I have since trained to be a Mothers Network facilitator, and especially enjoy the challenge of bringing a group together, initiating discussions, and watching friendships grow. I have now witnessed from both sides just what a difference an organisation like Mothers Network can make in the lives of women.
I have a wonderful and hilarious wee girl, who alongside my incredibly supportive husband, is very understanding of me parenting whilst studying and working. Something I certainly couldn’t do without their love and support.
Elissa Jordan - Secretary
The journey into Motherhood for me was a lonely and confusing time. I went looking for community and connection when I signed up to a Mothers Network group, and I found it, but not as I expected - instead it came by way of becoming first a volunteer, helping to revamp the Mothers Network website, and then by joining the Governance Group and most recently by completing the facilitator training. Helping to champion and craft tools of support for other Mothers helped me find peace in the knowledge that maybe, just maybe another Mother might have an easier go of things.
I’m Mom to Jack, an active, curious, social and fiercely independent toddler. He is my pride and my joy.
I’ve got a professional background in digital project management, working exclusively for not-for-profits. In addition to this I am a yoga teacher, a wine educator and a member of the Babywearing Wellington Committee.
The journey into Motherhood for me was a lonely and confusing time. I went looking for community and connection when I signed up to a Mothers Network group, and I found it, but not as I expected - instead it came by way of becoming first a volunteer, helping to revamp the Mothers Network website, and then by joining the Governance Group and most recently by completing the facilitator training. Helping to champion and craft tools of support for other Mothers helped me find peace in the knowledge that maybe, just maybe another Mother might have an easier go of things.
I’m Mom to Jack, an active, curious, social and fiercely independent toddler. He is my pride and my joy.
I’ve got a professional background in digital project management, working exclusively for not-for-profits. In addition to this I am a yoga teacher, a wine educator and a member of the Babywearing Wellington Committee.
Sara Ko Freitag - Treasurer
I am a mom of a beautiful toddler, an accountant and a coffee lover.
I’m originally from Brazil. I moved to New Zealand back in 2015 with my partner and since then New Zealand is our home. We moved from Auckland to Wellington back 2016 looking for a better work life balance.
Motherhood has been a journey full or emotions – since finding out we were pregnant; the clubfoot journey part of the package; to every new milestone, tantrums, smiles and hugs.
All the dramas and workarounds required for going through that period, far from my family, made me realise how important is to have a network that understand you.
Soon after my son was born I went back to work full time with my partner being the stay-at-home dad.
I have 10 years of experience in External Audit, having worked for a Big4 accounting firm during most of these years. Nowadays I work at a government agency providing external assurance advice.
I am a mom of a beautiful toddler, an accountant and a coffee lover.
I’m originally from Brazil. I moved to New Zealand back in 2015 with my partner and since then New Zealand is our home. We moved from Auckland to Wellington back 2016 looking for a better work life balance.
Motherhood has been a journey full or emotions – since finding out we were pregnant; the clubfoot journey part of the package; to every new milestone, tantrums, smiles and hugs.
All the dramas and workarounds required for going through that period, far from my family, made me realise how important is to have a network that understand you.
Soon after my son was born I went back to work full time with my partner being the stay-at-home dad.
I have 10 years of experience in External Audit, having worked for a Big4 accounting firm during most of these years. Nowadays I work at a government agency providing external assurance advice.
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