Meet the Board
We are proud to have a dedicated Board of volunteers who are passionate about supporting our unseen heroes. Each member brings exceptional leadership and expertise from their respective fields, guiding our mission with unwavering commitment.
Chairperson
Amy Morse
Amy Morse is an Occupational Therapist with a BS (1981) from Tufts University (US). Amy practiced OT followed by a wide range of management and leadership positions in rehabilitation hospitals including 14 years as CEO of a 90-bed Acute Rehabilitation Hospital (US).
Amy was the Director of a Children’s Acute Hospital and later (2014-2017) worked for ABI Rehabilitation (NZ) as the National Director of Operations and Clinical Services Development. She participated on the NZ ACC Whole of Pathways Project. Amy also worked in Kunming China for 3 years on Clinical Services Development.
Co-Founder / Trustee
Char Rain
Char Rain has worked as a holistic healer for over 20yrs. She specialises in trauma healing and suicidal youth. She has a unique way of reaching people and sees everyone as individuals with individual needs. She has studied art therapy and has implemented that into many situations as an alternative way to heal.
Holistic healing means thatshe heals the mind, body and soul and gives people tools to develop their own sense of self moving forward.
Over the years she has worked with thousands of people and has been able to show them all a different way of healing emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, grief and suicidal tendencies.
Holistic healing is an incredible way to reach people who believe they are lost and have no options left. Char is looking forward to being able to reach so many young careers in need.
Co-Founder / Trustee
Te Rina Ruru-Pelasio
Te Rina Ruru (LLB, BSoSc) was a Young Carer to her older brother Ray, who sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, since she was 16 years old. This responsibility impacted her emotional and mental well-being until she embarked on her journey of holistic healing with Char Rain from the age of 19 years old.
Te Rina has since worked in various roles in Governance and strategic implementation within the Māori health sector. She has been a strong consumer/whānau advisor on various national organisations such as: Health Quality and Safety Commission, ACC Whole of Pathways Collaborative, Northern Rehabilitation Provider Group, Australasian College of Physicians, among others. Te Rina provides education to providers and organisations on the ripple of effect of trauma on whānau and advises a number of policies and projects.
Te Rina's current role is Māori Development Manager at ABI Rehabilitation NZ.
Trustee
Philip Morse
Dr. Phil Morse has a PhD in Psychology (1971). He brings to Camp Unity’s Board of Trustees his experience in developmental psychology, research and grant funding, 25 years of university teaching, 40 years of rehabilitation and clinical psychology work, extensive university and professional networks developed in the US and international work in rehabilitation. During his time in NZ at ABI Rehabilitation (2014-2017) he assumed various leadership roles on multiple projects and presentations with the MoH, MoSDE and ACC. His passion for Māori and multicultural models of healing and rehabilitation began when he met Te Rina Ruru and her and Char's vision of Camp Unity in 2015.
Trustee
Alana Ruru
Alana (RN) has over 15 years experience specialising in Mental Health & Addictions. She has held various roles as an Inpatient and Triage nurse, Crisis, Forensic Court Liaison and is now practicing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist Early Intervention. Alana has been a Duly Authorised Officer for the past 10 years and is currently working in the Acute Care Team in Tauranga Crisis.
Alana was also a young carer, caring for her younger brother, since she was 24 years old. Through her lived experience of the impact of the caregiving role coupled with her professional experience she recognises where the mental health and addictions sector is failing to meet the needs of Young Carers.
Trustee / Secretary
Corina Colbert
Corina has a background of lived experience and brings a strong whānau voice to the Board. Her son sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2007 and her children became Young Carers. She has volunteered at Camp Unity since it’s establishment in 2017, supporting other whānau and helping parents understand the impact on Young Carers within their own whānau. During her journey following her sons TBI, she has established a number of networks with whānau and health providers.
Trustee
Alex Curran-Schrader
.
Treasurer
Carolyn Colbert
Carolyn is an Associate Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience in the accounting field. She has held various positions over the years including Chartered Accountancy Practice, Finance Manager in Tourism and Corporate Accounting. She volunteers her time to Camp Unity as the Treasurer and Chairs the Finance Committee.
Board Members Experience
Unseen Heroes is recruiting new Board and Committee Members
Join us to make a difference in our community!