Caitlin Wilson

General Manager

From a young age, Caitlin has been driven by a profound passion for helping others. Initially setting her sights on teaching, she earned multiple qualifications in Education and Educational Psychology. Yet, her journey took an unexpected but exciting turn into the realm of workers’ rights. As a Help Centre Organiser with FIRST Union, Caitlin’s dedication to advocacy deepened. Her role as Co-convenor for NZCTU’s youth sector group, Stand Up, introduced her to YWRC, where she discovered a new avenue to make a difference.

When the chance arose to help establish YWRC’s Help Centre, Caitlin knew it was a perfect fit. She eagerly embraced the role of Help Centre Co-ordinator and, in June 2023, took on the position of General Manager. Her commitment to empowering individuals through lifelong learning and her strong alignment with YWRC’s Kaupapa drive her every day.

Outside of her impactful work, Caitlin’s interests are as eclectic as her career path. She’s a creator at heart, loves hitting the open road on spontaneous road trips, and has a whimsical affinity for all things Alice in Wonderland.

Bronwyn Ensor

Help Centre Representative

Bronwyn (she/her) hails from Pōneke. Her first love is acting, having a rich background in theatre and screen work. Recently, she graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland (where she particularly enjoyed mooting – a perfect blend of live performance and legal advocacy!)

Through her work with YWRC Bronwyn is passionate about empowering young people to understand, and confidently assert, their workers’ rights. She is also eager to begin her volunteer work with Citizens Advice Bureau towards the end of 2024. Her unique combination of performance experience and legal expertise positions her to make a meaningful impact in both the arts and community service.

Arnold Andrews

Chairperson

Arnold works for the HCC and specialises in Events. His work bases him at venues like the Claudelands Events Centre, FMG Stadium and Seddon Park. Arnold has a Masters in Business Management and has involved himself with projects ranging from mental health to rights of young workers. Being a fitness enthusiast, he likes to spend his leisure days running half marathons.

Aidan Donoghue

Vice Chairperson

Kia ora! Ko Aidan toku ingoa. I am a 21 year old Master’s student, based down in Wellington but originally from Rotorua. As someone who started work at Maccas at 15 I have experienced the uncertainty that comes with entering the workforce unprepared. The YWRC does great work to give rangitahi the confidence in themselves to stand up when things aren’t right at work, so to me, It’s a massive privilege to be the Vice-Chair for an organisation that bridges that knowledge gap and ensures youth enter the workforce as strong, confident, leaders.

Stephanie Balsom

Secretary

Along with a passion for theatre/nature/opshopping, Stephanie has also discovered a passion for Employment education. As many rangitahi across the motu, Stephanie did not know about her rights, let alone how to utilise them. She also found that many of her peers did not know either!

That all changed in 2022 when she was introduced to YWRC. Now she is enthused to help educate rangitahi and kaimahi across Aotearoa in accessing their Employment Rights. After spending three years as the Education Co-ord for YWRC in the Waikato, Stephanie now provides training for union delegates through a different Educator role for E tū Union in Te Whanganui-a-tara. She is stoked to be back as Secretary and discover new ways in helping out.  

 Stephanie believes in the mana that people can hold when they have access to understanding what entitlements we have as workers and is proud to champion YWRC and their Kaupapa. Now, when she discusses the services YWRC provide, she gets the same comment, “I wish I had that when I was at school”. it’s awesome to know the impact that this org has.

Zoë Port

Board Member

Dr. Zoe Port is the Deputy Programme Director of the Bachelor of Business degree at Massey University in Auckland, and is fiercely passionate about ensuring representation for youth in the workplace. She also holds the role of Research Officer on the Healthy Work Project, which develops interventions to reduce exposure to work-related psychosocial hazards in small and medium-sized organisations. 

Ellen Smeed

Board Member

Ellen is a People and Performance Advisor with HR experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. She holds a Master of Business Management specialising in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology. In her spare time Ellen enjoys travelling, and being outdoors, hiking and skiing.

Riikka Anderson

Board Member

Riikka (she/her) brings over 20 years of experience leading teams across the for-purpose, academic, and commercial sectors. She is currently the General Manager of the YWCA of Hamilton, where she works closely with their voluntary governance Board, gaining hands-on experience in strategic planning, policy development, health and safety, audit and risk, property, and HR matters.

A passionate advocate for gender equity and women’s rights, Riikka sees the YWCA as a natural fit for her values and leadership. Her decision to join the YWRC Board reflects her commitment to supporting young women in the workplace, where gender-based discrimination remains a reality.

Outside of work, Riikka enjoys reading and spending time outdoors.

Madusha Hansinie Wickramasinghe

Board Member

Madusha Wickramasinghe identifies herself as an educator who has worked as a teacher for ten years and as an assistant principal for five years in state schools of Sri Lanka. She enjoys work related to enlightening and empowering others. So, she has taken up diverse volunteer roles at Refugee Orientation Centre Trust, Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust, Red Cross New Zealand and at The University of Waikato.

She is a full-time student at The University of Waikato following a Master’s degree in Educational Management which is to be completed at the end of October,2025. She was inspired by the Governance paper she studied in her qualification and her experience as an assistant principal to give back to the community as a board member.

Madusha has moved to New Zealand for higher studies with her husband and two children in 2024 and looking forward to settle down here. She writes free verses and articles to “Bhawaloka”, a monthly magazine published by a popular Sri Lankan community group. As a seeker of continuous growth, she willingly allocates time for new knowledge and experience. Apart from playing with her kids, she enjoys walking in forest paths and being surrounded by nature.

Ganga Sudhan

Board Member

Dr Ganga Sudhan has spent the last 20+ years helping people turn “I’m not sure I can” into “I’ve got this.” His work has taken him from busy factory floors to community classrooms, from mentoring youth advocates to coaching business leaders. Along the way, he’s designed NZQA-approved training, led digital literacy programmes for frontline workers, and helped community groups secure funding for projects that make a real difference.

Whether it’s guiding a young person into their first job, helping a non-profit cut through admin clutter, or showing leaders how to grow without losing their soul, Ganga is all about making learning practical, engaging, and empowering. He believes people thrive when given the tools, confidence, and space to grow.

Joining the YWRC Governance Board is a perfect match for his passion for fair and respectful workplaces for young people. Outside of mahi, you might find Ganga exploring a hidden walking track, deep in conversation about big ideas, or sharing a laugh while brainstorming his next project to help communities flourish