MEGAN LYSTER
COMMITTEE CHAIR
I am passionate about diversity and inclusion and ensuring people receive the support they deserve. I have a background in community peer support in a volunteer role and then as a coordinator for peer support volunteers. I live with invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses. She believes in the strength of community building and the value of lived experience input in all forms of decision-making.
When she’s not doing mahi for I.lead or working as a Peer Support Worker, she can be found reading, spending time with friends, and binge watching the best shows on Netflix.
KIM POLLOCK
COMMITTEE DEPUTY CHAIR
Kim is a 27-year-old pakeha woman who lives in Wellington, and is a mother to a 6-year-old son.
Kim has an intellectual disability and is a creative and kind person. She is a hardworking person as a security guard and an advocate for her peers. Kim is developing her leadership skills and believes in equal rights and speaking out to make the world fairer.
To learn more about Kim, click here.
Sean Prenter
MENTOR ROLE
Sean is a Co-President for the New Zealand National Disabled Students’ Association and 2022 Co-President of the Otago Disabled Students’ Association. Sean has presented research on Cripping Sustainability at Tertiary Institutes at the Global Disability Summit and Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Conference and researches accessible urban form. Sean is a New Zealand ambassador for Unite2030’s New York innovation lab, 2024 Prime Ministers Scholar ambassador to India and is on the youth advisory group for Inspiring Stories. Across these channels, Sean engages his pūmanawa of ensuring disabled peoples access, inclusion and dignity.
Rachel Wiltshire
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Rachael has been passionate about disability advocacy since finding out she was autistic when she was 12. She is particularly interested in education and currently serves on the Ministry of Education’s Disability Voices Group. As the National Community Educator for Auckland Disability Law, she educates disabled people and their supporters about their rights. She has also done a lot of work with Altogether Autism. She is particularly proud of her involvement in writing guides to help tertiary educators better support autistic learners.
Outside of her work in the disability sector, Rachael is a keen dancer. She holds a Bachelor of Creativity in Commercial Dance from Whitireia Community Polytechnic and regularly dances at events around Wellington with Society Event Entertainment. She also holds a Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation from Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington.
Leo Hoffman
COMMITTEE MEMBER
I want to be an advocate for people with disabilities as there are not enough resources for people in our community, and it’s important for people to have access to help and information. As a person in a wheelchair, I know how hard it is to use transport and get into places. Stores, venues and restaurants mention they are accessible for disabled people, but when we get there, we realise they are not set up for disabled people.
I have not always been in a wheelchair. I have progressively lost the use of his legs over the last 5 years. I am a part of the Silver Noodle Soup drama group for disabled youth (my great sense of humour serves me well on stage). Sport is a big part of my life. I love basketball, and I am a supporter and volunteer for the Wellington Saints basketball team. I also have been playing wheelchair rugby since 2023. I am excited to join a sport with a community for disabled people.
I live with my mum, stepmum, and dog Obi, one of my best mates.