Joanne Lawless

I am a coach, facilitator, and trainer with extensive expertise in autism, neurodiversity, and inclusive education. My background includes designing and delivering impactful professional development programs for educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations.

Guided by the belief that meaningful change begins with empathy, I bring warmth and compassion to my coaching practice. I am deeply committed to supporting those who care for Autistic individuals, and as Mum to two Autistic Adults, I have a particular interest in walking alongside people as they navigate transitions, complex relationships, and pivotal life choices.

I honor the lived experiences of each person, recognizing them as the experts of their own journey. My approach is grounded in partnership, curiosity, and a shared exploration of new possibilities for growth and authentic self-expression.

Brooke Trenwith

Brooke, Founder of Potential to Performance Ltd, is a leading advocate for inclusion, neurodivergence, and trauma-informed practice.

With a background in education and former President of the New Zealand Association for Gifted Children, she specialises in coaching and professional supervision of leaders, HR professionals, parents, educators, and students, focusing on nurturing neurodivergent talents. Her experience includes teaching in Aotearoa and Taiwan (where she was an Assistant Director of an English Language School), giving her insight into supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Her online courses cover strengths-based approaches to leadership, neurodivergence support (through the social model), and trauma-informed practices. She has developed and delivered professional learning and development for various profit and non- profit organisations and in education, including council leaders across Australia and Canada through FieldForce4.

Identifying as gifted, dyslexic, and on the autism spectrum, Brooke brings a unique perspective to her work. She shapes educational policy and practice through Ministerial Reference Groups and committees, and provides crucial support to adults navigating neurodivergent experiences.

Sioux Repanga

‘He tangata whaikaha, he tangata kanorau ā-roro ahau.’

I see myself as a builder of knowledge and tour guide to the curious, guiding people on a journey of understanding of disability and accessibility, encouraging them to reflect and embrace diversity and differences! I am passionate about creating an inclusive Aotearoa, New Zealand, where all humans bring their whole selves and are accepted as they are.

With over 30 years experience of being a Public Servant for MSD and Whaikaha, Advocate with Stepping Stones and PASAT, Advisor, Community Representative on several boards, and Facilitator. I hope to bring the perceptions and voices of a range of communities, my knowledge, curiosity, lived experience and eagerness to look at any situation to find opportunities to engage, discuss and challenge some of the societal attitudes that we often get stuck thinking is the only way to engage with people.

Sanam Bagherian (Ph.D., registered clinical psychologist in Iran)

Sanam has a strong interest in autism and has a Ph.D. in autism psychology which included delivering educational programmes to support parents with children on the autism spectrum. Sanam has worked as a clinician and educator to support children on the spectrum and their families for 13 years, and more recently has worked with Autistic adults. She is registered clinical psychologist in her home country of Iran and is working towards registration here in New Zealand. Sanam has published more than six studies and has presented at events such as the 5th World Congress on Positive Psychology (July, 2017). Sanam is passionate about getting up to date in depth reliable autism information and sharing it with the autism community.

 Catherine Trezona M.A. Psychology (1st Hons)

Catherine was privileged to lead Altogether Autism as National Manager from 2015 to 2025. She is an experienced facilitator who enjoys co-creating safe spaces where Autistic people, families, whānau, and professionals can learn together.

Now a PreKure-Certified Health Coach, Catherine combines her leadership and facilitation experience with a commitment to walking alongside people as they reach their goals. She is the founder and lead health coach of White Dove Wellness NZ.

Hanna Randall

Hanna Randall is a specialist teacher working within the Wellington region. She has a passion for supporting Autistic people. She has three tamariki of her own, one of which has faced many learning challenges. Hanna sees it as a privilege to awhi and support her and many others in their life journey.

Trisha Lealiifano-Mariota (M.Ed, GradDip in ECE, BCom)

Trisha is a qualified Early Childhood Education Teacher, an Early Intervention Therapist (trainee) and a Mother to Joziah who is on the autism spectrum.

Trisha is part of the Early Start Denver Model Therapy Team from Victoria University (Educational Psychology Dept) and is at Fidelity in the Early Start Denver Model approach. She is highly involved in the Pacific community and is part of the Wellington Pasifika Autism Support Group.

Trisha holds a Masters of Education from Victoria University, Bachelor of Commerce from Otago University and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching endorsed in Early Childhood Education from Victoria University.

Trisha is passionate about helping Autistic children reach their full potential.

Cat Noakes-Duncan

Cat is a specialist educator, a mother and researcher, investigating beliefs and attitudes towards autism and early referral. Cat works as an ORS specialist teacher in mainstream schools and has been involved in running community playgroups for autistic children and their whānau.

Cat lives in Christchurch with her husband and three teenage kids and is doing her doctoral research with the Autism Research Centre at Canterbury University, she has completed a Masters of Specialist Teaching in autism. In schools, Cat works with autistic children/students who have high and often complex support needs, her work focuses on communication and inclusion, drawing on the insights and hopes of parents and whānau, identifying and making space for the strengths and interests of the children who she works with.

Cat runs training and workshops for schools and other organisations wanting to better understand how to support autistic children/students and their whānau.

Elleisha Liu

Elleisha is Te Ara Takawaenga and external training lead for Altogether Autism and Your Way | Kia Roha. She works mostly behind the scenes supporting the team of Facilitators, organising trainings, managing projects, as well as training delivery.