Our Team

ROBYN FAUSETT RGN CEO: Advisor, researcher & 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 health & wellbeing.

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.

Claire Stuart DE&I and Gender Equity Specialist

Claire is well known for her work within Diversity Works New Zealand, supporting organisations throughout the motu to progress in all areas of DEl, and more recently for her mahi at Gender at Work - with a specific lens on progressing gender equality in the workplace.

MOLLY Executive Assistant
BA (Anthro & Soc)

Molly works as the Executive Assistant to Robyn Fausett, Nest CEO and Claire Stuart, Nest DE&I Specialist. Molly grew up in West Auckland and attended Vic Uni in Wellington where she graduated with a BA, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Sociology with a focus on womens and gender studies. While studying she worked as a senior EA and a project co-ordinator at the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. Her most recent role saw her supporting the CEOs office at Air NZ. She has just started her post-grad studies in Human Resources/ People & Culture. Molly has been involved with Nest's social initiative projects for many years, assisting, volunteering and representing the student voice.

Sharron Administrator
Dip Preg, Birth & Early Ed

Sharron is Nest's all round office ninja ensuring Nest runs smoothly. In charge of general administration, communication & coordination. Sharron grew up in South Auckland and now lives in West Auckland with her husband and 3 children. Knowledge and empowerment have always been important to her and she holds a Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting Education. Working in the administrative role with Nest allows her to be part of positive and engaging programs for our young people of Aotearoa around their bodies, health and well-being.

Sharron's family enjoys various sports and creative endeavours which keep her on her toes, but in her spare time, she loves games or movie nights and spending time with friends and family.

GEM Trainer & 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 1 - Yr 8 -through Nest's junior programmes and is also one of Nest's Trainers.

SARAH Trainer & 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. Sarah works across all of Nest's school programmes (Yr 1 - Yr 13) and is one of Nest's Trainers.

LUCIE Senior Educator
BEd(Hons)

Lucie grew up in the UK and emigrated to New Zealand 10 years ago with her husband and 2 children. Lucie is a qualified Primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree. During her time here she has facilitated a range of educational programmes in ECEs, Primary schools and high schools and is passionate about empowering young people with the tools to navigate their bodies and identities and providing skills to help them feel safe in today’s society. Lucie works across all Nest programmes; with our Yr 1-8 students through Nest's junior programmes and with our Yr 9-13 students as one of Nest’s High School facilitators.

Mika Educator

Mika was born in Wellington and currently lives in Auckland with her partner and three of their six children, two of which go to primary school. As an animal lover Mika has one dog, four chickens and two goats, and fosters animals looking for their forever homes. 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 1 - Yr 8 -through Nest's junior programmes.

Alana Educator
BA Media Studies and Psychology

Alana was born in Scotland and spent her childhood in Vancouver before moving to New Zealand at the age of 11. She just finished her degree from the University of Auckland majoring in Media Studies and Psychology, and her other jobs include freelance feature writing and journalism. Alana loves working with a wide range of individuals including young people, and is interested in the realm of health promotion and promoting wellbeing and education. Her other interests include harm reduction, psychology and philosophy, sexuality, and environmentalism. Alana's hobbies include taking long evening walks in Grey Lynn park, op shopping around Auckland suburbs, spending time with animals, and exploring new beaches around New Zealand. Alana works with our younger students - Yr 1 - Yr 8 -through Nest's junior 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 1-8 students through Nest's junior programmes and with our Yr 9-13 students as one of Nest’s High School facilitators.

SAM Educator & 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 works across all of Nest's school programmes (Yr 1 - Yr 13) & is a part of Nest's special needs team.

LEELA Educator

Leela has a great interest in human development and neuro science, how the brain functions and has spent a lot of time working within the Rudolf Steiner school her child attends . Her involvement has included being employed as a casual Kindergarten Assistant and also helping in the lower school with reading and writing programs. Leela’s family has also been involved in the foster care system. They have had a variety of respite, short and long-term children in their care. Being a foster caregiver has given Leela an insight into how different circumstances can affect a child’s behaviour and how best to help them overcome adversity. In addition, Leela has worked as a Human Resource Advisor with a background across a broad range of industries and sectors. She has a Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management with certificates in Tertiary Training, ESOL, and Management. Her roles have included Coaching and Training, Health and Safety, recruitment, induction, designing and assisting with performance reviews, investigations and resolving performance issues. Leela works with our younger students - Yr 1 - Yr 8 -through Nest's junior programmes

SHARRON Educator
Dip Preg, Birth & Early Ed

Sharron, in addition to her work as Nest's administrator works with our junior team Yr 1 - Yr 8. Sharron grew up in South Auckland and now lives in West Auckland with her husband and 3 children. Knowledge and empowerment have always been important to her and she holds a Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting Education. Working in the administrative role with Nest allows her to be part of positive and engaging programs for our young people of Aotearoa around their bodies, health and well-being.

Sharron's family enjoys various sports and creative endeavours which keep her on her toes, but in her spare time, she loves games or movie nights and spending time with friends and family.

ELLAEducator

Bula Vinaka. Ella was born and raised in the beautiful Fiji Islands and spent the first 17 years of her life in Suva, Fiji before moving over to New Zealand in 2018. She is currently on the final stretch of her Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Educational Psychology. Ella works with our younger students - Yr 1 - Yr 8 -through Nest's junior programmes

MOLLY Educator
BA (Anthro & Soc)

Molly grew up in West Auckland and attended Vic Uni in Wellington where she graduated with a BA, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Sociology with a focus on womens and gender studies. While studying she worked as a senior EA and a project co-ordinator at the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. Her most recent role saw her supporting the CEOs office at Air NZ. She has just started her post-grad studies in Human Resources/ People & Culture. Molly has been involved with Nest's social initiative projects for many years, assisting, volunteering and representing the student voice. Molly works across all Nest programmes; with our Yr 1-8 students through Nest's junior programmes and with our Yr 9-13 students as one of Nest’s High School facilitators.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.