Meet the ME Support Team

We're passionate about improving our clients' lives.

ME Support has a mix of paid staff and volunteers - a dynamic and experienced team who are dedicated to supporting those navigating the journey of ME/CFS or Long COVID.

Our Staff

Natalie Newall

Client Support Coordinator

I hold a Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Primary Teaching (from University of Auckland and Auckland College of Education respectively). I taught at schools across Auckland for several years before taking up a Road Safety Coordinator role at Papakura District Council.

It was during this time I was diagnosed with ME/CFS, however this started my career in community development and after having my son I worked in Road Safety injury prevention with Auckland Transport, and then in 2017 I moved on to work as a community and beneficiary advocate with Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) which I held for two and a half years.

I feel this advocacy role, along with my teaching and community development experience, gives me a breadth of experience to bring to ME Support as a Support Worker.

I look forward to future opportunities to help, support and provide advocacy to others.

"ME/CFS is a cause close to my heart and being in a position to support others who are affected by this misunderstood illness, means a great deal to me."

Michelle Green

Administrator

This is my first position, in paid employment, since my diagnosis of ME/CFS.

When I became sick with ME/CFS I had just retrained as a primary school teacher and was in the first year of my new career, so I know first hand what it is like to have your life, and future plans, be completely disrupted by this illness!

I have strong administration, organisational skills, and attention to detail. These skills come from a varied background as an Interior Design Consultant, a Small Business Owner-Manager, Playcentre volunteer & Educational Facilitator, and a Primary School Teacher, holding a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from Auckland University.

I live in West Auckland, with my teenage son, on the edge of the Waitakere Ranges & Manukau Harbour. I love being outdoors in nature and being creative within the visual arts.

"I’m so excited to be helping my fellow peers with ME/CFS by assisting in the administration of this supportive charity."

Vanessa Atkinson

General Manager

I bring over 25 years of leadership, project management and strategic experience in the charity sector in New Zealand and overseas to the position as General Manager with ME Support.

I have led large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams with Greenpeace Australia, New Zealand and India, co-ordinated an international team at a UN meeting and spearheaded organisations’ legal challenges. I have a passion for the community and have been Co-Executive Director for Bellyful NZ, volunteered for community groups and worked for community based environmental organisation Kaipātiki Project. I co-own a digital campaigning agency For Purpose which supports organisations working for change.

My roles have involved leadership, project management, strategic development, advocacy, communication, media and stakeholder engagement.

As a passionate advocate for equity, justice and the community I am excited to bring my experience to strengthen networks and collaborations and lead the team to serve the ME/CFS and Long Covid communities.

I love hanging out with my whānau, doing my yoga practice and getting out in nature by biking, swimming and walking.

"I am excited to lead ME Support to provide urgently needed care and support to those suffering from ME/CFS and Long COVID in a system in which this vulnerable community is often unseen and unheard."

Our Board

Patrick Hadfield

President

I am a financial analyst, working independently for clients across both the public and private sector.

I have been actively involved in ME/CFS volunteer work for a number of years including convening a support group for young adults, building the ME Support website, fundraising, social media, administration and developing presentations.

My goal on the board is to secure funding to support the sustainability of ME Support. I also aim to ensure our communications are professional, and help dispel the undeserved stigma attached to this illness.

"My goal on the Board is to secure funding to support the sustainability of ME Support... and help dispel the undeserved stigma attached to this illness."

Kate Duder

Board Vice President

I have had 20+ years working in the community and local government sector internationally and within New Zealand. For the majority of this time, I managed and facilitated projects and programmes focused on strategic, organisational and community development, and social change.

My expertise includes community empowerment, youth development, health promotion and co-design qualitative research methodology. These skills have been developed through roles with Youthline Auckland, Community Action Youth and Drugs (a Ministry of Health Programme) and Auckland Council’s Community Empowerment Unit.

Prior to these roles I spent 4 years in London, where I worked for Leaders’ Quest, a leadership development organisation, coordinating programmes in Africa, Brazil, Russia and China focused on creating positive change in people and communities. Before returning to NZ, I volunteered within a child and youth organization supporting street children in Tanzania, Africa.

Having faced a health roller-coaster since my early twenties from (previously undiagnosed) Elhers Danlos Syndrome, which lead to Mast Cell Activation Disorder and ME/CFS, I have developed a passion and belief in the power of natural medicine and a natural lifestyle.

I enjoy supporting others to find natural solutions for improving their physical and mental wellbeing and joined the ME Support Board in early 2020.

I grew up in Christchurch, love sports and outdoor activities and now live in West Auckland.

"I have a passion and belief in the power of natural medicine and enjoy supporting others to find natural solutions for improving their physical and mental wellbeing."

Kelly Broadbent

Board Member

My mission is to make it easy for people to engage with the organisations that exist to serve them. I have over 15 years of experience leading and supporting this mahi in New Zealand’s public sector, advocating for decisions and processes that enhance the customer experience.

My personal journey with ME has given me valuable insights into the challenges faced by others with the condition and fuels my commitment to serving on the board of ME Support. I bring experience in service enhancement and process simplification, and am excited to help guide ME Support through its next phase, ensuring we remain responsive and effective in meeting the needs of our community.

Born and raised in Auckland, I now live on the North Shore with my family. With two magnificent, chaotic preschoolers, spare time is a precious commodity. My happy place is when I am baking, near water, or laughing with my loved ones.

"I’ve been part of the ME Support online community since 2017 and am deeply passionate about giving back to the ME community,
which I’ve been part of since childhood"

John Loof

Board Member

I have held a number of leadership roles with not-for-profit organisations such as the SPCA, Cancer Society Auckland Northland and Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust.

I have a particular interest in community health services and am currently CEO of the Auckland Kidney Society.

Some of the most satisfying elements of my career have involved advocating for disease prevention, reduction of inequalities and the expansion of patient services.

I am a former board chair at Western Springs College and I have governance experience with a number of other medical related charities.

I am slowly becoming a westie and I enjoy nothing more than a long walk on Piha beach with my family (and dog).

"I’m drawn to the mission of ME Auckland (now ME Support), in particular to increasing the overall support we can offer our clients."

Lisa Ryan

Board Secretary

I have held a number of leadership roles over many years, with not-for-profit organisations such as Decult (volunteer coordinator for conference) and most recently at Long Covid Support Aotearoa where I have worked on the Auckland University Registry with Long COVID patients.

I am an active moderator on social media in a variety of not-for-profit groups - from outdoorsy things like tramping and camping, skeptical activism, and health related advocacy.

My advocacy work includes prior volunteering with both the New Zealand Skeptics and Society for Science Based Healthcare.

I am a member with lived experience of Long COVID, which is on-going years later. My main symptom is continuous chronic fatigue syndrome following viral infection.

Outside of all of the advocacy work I do, I volunteer in my local community and work at my small business attending local markets.

"I have an interest in community health and have been an
advocate for patient voices for many years"

Steve Schroder

Board Member

I am a seasoned health and safety professional with extensive experience in strategic planning and risk management. I have advised boards and senior leadership teams across various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and technology, helping them develop and implement effective health and safety frameworks.

My expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments, combined with my strategic insight, has enabled organisations to enhance their operational resilience and foster continuous improvement. With a deep commitment to integrating safety into all aspects of business operations, my governance experience includes providing high-level advisory services that align safety initiatives with broader organisational objectives.

I am currently completing a Master's in Workplace Health and Safety, and am dedicated to promoting innovation and sustainability in governance and leadership roles. On a personal level, I am married with two grown children. We are a neurodiverse family, and both my parents live with ME.

"Having witnessed first hand the challenges of living with ME,
I’m passionate about supporting the ME community and
committed to helping improve the lives of those affected"

Our Volunteers

ME Support has literally been built by volunteer work, and is this still an essential part of our organisation.

Below are our current volunteers, who we sincerely thank for their support and time that they generously give.

Russell

Our Central and East Auckland Support Group Facilitator

Dawn

Our West Auckland Support Group Facilitator

Jess

Our South Auckland Support Group Facilitator

Anne & Barb

Provide general support

Christine

Supports our Facebook Support Group Administration and Moderating team.

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0800 632 553

Meet the ME Support Team

We're passionate about improving our clients' lives.

Our Staff

Natalie Newall

Client Support Coordinator

"ME/CFS is a cause close to my heart and being in a position to support others who are affected by this misunderstood illness, means a great deal to me."

Michelle Green

Administrator

"I’m so excited to be helping my fellow peers with ME/CFS by assisting in the administration of this supportive charity."

Vanessa Atkinson

General Manager

"I am excited to lead ME Support to provide urgently needed care and support to those suffering from ME/CFS and Long COVID in a system in which this vulnerable community is often unseen and unheard."

Our Board

Patrick Hadfield

President

"My goal on the Board is to secure funding to support the sustainability of ME Support... and help dispel the undeserved stigma attached to this illness."

Kate Duder

Board Vice President

"I have a passion and belief in the power of natural medicine and enjoy supporting others to find natural solutions for improving their physical and mental wellbeing."

Kelly Broadbent

Board Member

"I’ve been part of the ME Support online community since 2017 and am deeply passionate about giving back to the ME community,
which I’ve been part of since childhood"

John Loof

Board Member

"I’m drawn to the mission of ME Auckland (now ME Support), in particular to increasing the overall support we can offer our clients."

Gurpreet Oshan

Treasurer

Lisa Ryan

Board Secretary

"I have an interest in community health and have been an
advocate for patient voices for many years"

Steve Schroder

Board Member

"Having witnessed first hand the challenges of living with ME,
I’m passionate about supporting the ME community and
committed to helping improve the lives of those affected"

Our Volunteers

Russell

Dawn

Jess

Anne & Barb

Christine