Our Team

ROBYN FAUSETT RGN CEO Advisor and writer of programmes

Robyn was born in Helensville, NZ and is a UK trained nurse (University College London Hospital). Nest came about through Robyn's desire to address health, social & environmental issues in the community through the provision of resources, equitable access to services and researched quality education.

Robyn, upon returning to New Zealand in 1999 with her whanau, has utilised her expertise in health, research & programme writing; upgrading the diabetes service at an Auckland Hospital, coordinating a donor egg & surrogacy programme across three clinics based at an Auckland Fertility Unit and assisting in the setting up of a ‘work ready’ service for beneficiaries; creating assessment tools, interviewing clients and providing reports with stepped recommendations and community supports for case managers (MSD). Robyn was also inspired to create several in-school health and well-being, puberty, menstrual education, sexuality, relationships, sexual violence prevention, anti-bullying, body image and cyber safety education programmes for youth. These programmes are research based utilising the WHO recognised Hauora approach and integrate holistic & trauma informed age appropriate information for a whole sense of valuing self, others and our environment. Launched in 2010, these popular programmes are now delivered by Nest Consulting’s Educators & Facilitators NZ wide.
Robyn maintains her nursing practising certificate and consults regularly on projects; most recently contracted by MoE to collect and report the student voice on the topic of menstruation education & the accessibility of period products. In addition she recently successfully researched and formatted a proposal to manage a mother and baby respite and community support service before overseeing its completion.

Robyn is also a speaker, regularly providing events for parents about tweens and teens topics, to health care providers on the subject of fertility and to communities and corporates on various topic of women's health and menopause.

In addition, Robyn has been instrumental as a Board member within various community focussed charities and organisations (most recently for the 'Healing Through Arts Trust' Board and the 'WALSH Trust' Board - supporting people with mental health, social, illness or disability challenges).

She is accredited as a 'Nourish' body image/media awareness programme facilitator through what was formerly EDEN (Eating Disorders Education Network), with Jane Bennet's 'Celebration Day for Girls' and 'Days for Girls' as a period education facilitator and with Natural Fertility NZ as an educator and as a clinical trainer. Robyn also works within the disability sector providing specific sexuality and healthy relationship education to young people and their whanau.

And now a published author: 'The Kids Will be All Right - a guide to raising teens in a complex world', co-written with her daughter for the teen perspective, released in 2022 by Allen & Unwin.

Robyn is unbiased in her approach and is passionate about all people having equal and safe access to information & services facilitating empowerment and informed choices.

CHAR Administrator, PA, Creative Designer

Char is our all round office ninja ensuring Nest runs smoothly. In charge of general administration, communication & coordination in addition to contributing to creative design. She is also Nest's Junior Programmes Team Leader and Trainer.

Char was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, emigrating to New Zealand in 2009. Char has a degree in Educational Psychology and has spent many years working in an administration role. She and her partner are living in Auckland raising 2 teenagers and 1 younger child.

GRAYSON Senior Facilitator
BSc (Biotech)

Grayson grew up in the mighty Te Tai Tokerau, Northland. After taking a gap year after high school to pursue an international hockey contract with the USA, he’s now completed his bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Auckland, with Post-Graduate studies to come! Grayson is a senior facilitator, working with Yr 9 -13 students. Grayson is also a facilitator & a member of our speciality team working with those who have additional needs. Grayson also facilitates staff professional development.

CHAR Primary/Intermediate School Programmes Team Leader
BA (EdPsych)

Char was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, emigrating to New Zealand in 2009. Char has a degree in Educational Psychology and has vast experience working with children including those with high health & special needs.

Char's passion is empowering young minds whilst seeing young people with a holistic view. Char is Nest's Junior Programmes Team Leader and Trainer (alongside this she is our Administrator, PA and Creative Designer). She and her partner are living in Auckland and raising 2 teenagers and 1 younger child. Char works across all Nest programmes; with our Yr 5-8 students through Nest's Puberty & Body Image programmes and with our yr 9-13 students as one of Nest’s High School facilitators.

MOLLY Volunteer & Project Contractor
BA (Anthro & Soc)

Molly was born in London, raised in Auckland and currently resides in Wellington where she works as an administrator within the Ministry of Education. She has a degree in Anthropology and Sociology and is also a published author. Molly has been involved with Nest's social initiative projects for many years, and these days assists and volunteers by representing the student voice, constructing PowerPoints and providing initiatives & feedback.

TRISH Educator
Diploma in Nursing

Trish was born in Holland, emigrating to New Zealand in 1981 where she was raised from her early pre teens in Auckland. In addition to her Diploma in Nursing Trish has a Certificate in Womens Health and Fitness Training, is a Therapeutic Massage Therapist, a Reiki Practitioner and is a business owner. Trish works with our younger students - Yr 5 - Yr 8 - through our Puberty & Body Image programmes.

After completing her Nursing Diploma Trish worked within womens health and paediatrics for over 20 years. Upon raising her family of 3 children she decided to start her own business working with new parents and their newborns.

Trish is also very interested in natural health and holistic wellbeing and is always extending her knowledge through trainings and seminars.

The love of the outdoors and many adventures with family gives her the balance between work commitments and family life.

You will find Trish on the river fly fishing when she can.

Mika Educator

Mika was born in Wellington and currently lives in Auckland with her partner and five of their six children, three of whom are teenagers and two who are in primary school. As an animal lover Mika has one dog, four rats, six chickens, two goats, and four sheep! Mika loves working with children and is passionate about helping others learn to love and understand their bodies. Mika works with our younger students - Yr 5 - Yr 8 - through Nest's Puberty & Body Image programmes.

NAFEESA Educator

Nafeesa was born and raised in New Zealand and has Fijian Indian and Pakistani heritage. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Auckland. Nafeesa is passionate about providing children with information that empowers them and aims to provide them with the fuel they need to facilitate positive change in the world. Nafeesa works with our younger students - Yr 5 - Yr 8 - through Nest's Puberty & Body Image programmes.

GEM Educator
Dip Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting Education

Gem was born in the Far North and now lives on the Hibiscus Coast with her husband and two of her three children. Gem is also a grandmother to two grandson’s Jagger and Wolfe who help to keep her on her toes. Gem has a background in finance, travel and homebased childcare and has Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting Education. Gem works with our younger students - Yr 5 - Yr 8 - through Nest's Puberty & Body Image programmes.

KATHRYN Educator & Facilitator

Kathryn is a born and bred Aucklander who loves to travel, having enjoyed many overseas adventures and exploring her Dutch heritage. She completed her physiotherapy training in the early 1990s and later her post graduate diploma in Manipulative Physiotherapy and Acupuncture. She is currently enjoys being a Mum to two delightful boys and working as a massage therapist. Kathryn works across all Nest programmes; with our Yr 5-8 students through Nest's Puberty & Body Image programmes and with our yr 9-13 students as one of Nest’s High School facilitators.

SARAH Educator
BA (Design and Media)

Sarah grew up in Wurundjeri Country (Melbourne), Australia and moved to Auckland just in time to finish high school and make her way to Otago University, where she trained as a graphic designer. It was there that she became active in campus safety as part of the LGBTQIA+ students association. Her passion for visual communication and social activism has taken her to Uganda where she worked alongside local leaders, police and activists to deliver community education on HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence prevention.

PRESSHINI Educator
B.Comm Grad Dip (Psych)

Presshini ("Pressh-ni") was born in Malaysia and raised in New Zealand. She completed her Bachelor of Communication Studies at AUT in 2015. She worked for two years in a marketing and administration role before leaving to pursue her studies in Psychology. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Auckland in 2018. Presshini is now pursuing her Bachelor's in Law at AUT university.

ALISTAIR Facilitator

Alistair is Kiwi-American born and was raised in the US. Throughout his schooling, Alistair worked as an actor in Madison and Chicago developing his career on stage and screen, and spent a summer in New York for the Stella Adler Summer Conservatory. His experiences working with youth, as well putting himself into other peoples’ shoes as an actor, fostered in him a strong interest in the field of mental health. Alistair is one of Nest's senior programmes team, working with Yr 9 -13.

SAMANTHA Facilitator
BHSc

Samantha was born and raised in South Auckland where she attended the local schools. She is qualified in Health Sciences (Population Health) with a degree from the University of Auckland. With an evolving passion for preventative measures regarding sexual violence, Samantha enjoys being a part of the team creating positive growth amongst youth. Samantha is one of Nest's intermediate & senior programmes team, working with Yr 7 -13, and is also a member of Nest's special needs team.

VEL Facilitator

Vel is 30-something, Ukrainian-born and kiwi-raised, with a passion for creative writing, taking deep dives into history rabbit holes, and collecting and using twin lens reflex cameras from the 40s. He's currently working towards a BSC in Counselling at AUT, and publishing short stories alongside. He's pretty sure his ADHD is a super power, and is always excited to share that well-kept secret with new hero recruits. Vel is one of Nest's intermediate & senior programmes team, working with Yr 7 -13, and is also a member of Nest's special needs team.

Cooper Facilitator
BBA

Born in his village of Poutasi, Samoa, and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Cooper has a Bachelor of Business degree from AUT. He is extremely passionate about helping young people discover their identity and purpose, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. Cooper is one of Nest's intermediate & senior programmes team, working with Yr 7 -13, and is also a member of Nest's special needs team.

LAUREN Facilitator

Lauren was born and raised in a quaint little place sandwiched between Canada and Mexico, more affectionately known as New York (State). She is currently attending the University of Auckland, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Lauren is one of Nest's senior programmes team, working with Yr 9 -13. Lauren is also a member of our speciality team working with those who have additional needs.

CATHERINE Facilitator

Originally hailing from the Hawke's Bay, Catherine has recently returned to study a Bachelor of Applied Counselling through MIT. After 8 years in the film and television industry, her interest in psychology and desire to give back to her community has seen her transition from telling stories to listening to them. Catherine is one of Nest's senior programmes team, working with Yr 9 -13.

GURLEEN Facilitator

Born in Tāmaki Makuarau to Punjabi parents, Gurleen has first-hand experience of what it was like to be behind plastic desks at schools. This has led to a long-lasting passion for wanting our youth to have better education. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology and English. Gurleen is one of Nest's senior programmes team, working with Yr 9 -13.

SAM Facilitator
LLB BA (Perf Arts)

Sam was born and raised in the beautiful city of Dunedin. She studied Law and Performing Arts at the University of Otago and moved to Auckland at the start of 2020. After a brief stint as a lawyer, Sam is happy to have found work that she really enjoys at Nest Consulting, which she does alongside continuing to learn and develop as an artist. Sam is one of Nest's senior programmes team, working with Yr 9 -13.

Could this be you??

Nest are always on the look out for excellent Educators & Facilitators to join our Team. Email us if you are interested.