Our Team
Clare Williams
General Manager
I was born and raised in a little town called Port Elizabeth, South Africa and immigrated to New Zealand with my husband and two children in 2000. My experience in both the commercial business sectors and Not-For-Profit Social Services and Health & Disability services sectors spans across 28 years in both New Zealand and South Africa.
Core principals which guide my work ethic and practices included continuous innovations to improve operational performance and efficiencies to ensure maximum positive impact to the communities we serve. I have lived experience of supporting extended family members with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and autism.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with family, friends and our family’s two fur babies (Bella & Dudley) and as often as the fickle Auckland weather allows I would enjoy time out on the water and camping.
Melanie Louden
Communications Manager
Prior to joining the not-for-profit sector, I spent 17 years in community journalism, working my way up from junior reporter to editor with Auckland’s Suburban Newspapers.
I left the world of journalism in 2016 and joined The Hearing House as the Fundraising and Communications Manager before moving to Surf Life Saving NZ where I was the Communications and Marketing Manager. I then returned to the disability sector, taking on the role of Communications and Marketing Advisor with the team at the Muscular Dystrophy Association of NZ, before accepting this exciting role with the Cerebral Palsy Society in 2021.
Outside of work, my husband and I have a daughter, we live in a beautiful part of West Auckland and we have a dog and a cat. I love to take photos, but don’t get enough time to indulge. I love travelling, going to live theatre, and enjoy going out for dinner, spending time with my family and friends, being involved in my daughter’s football team.
Caroline Junges
Office Manager
I have worked for over 15 years in the private sector in UK, Australia and New Zealand.
My not-for-profit journey started in Australia volunteering with Big Group Hug supporting kids and families in need, and it continued in New Zealand in the education sector until I joined the Cerebral Palsy Society.
I have a Master’s degree in Business and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management focused on Healthcare in Aotearoa.
Born in Brazil and having German heritage means I have a unique mixed cultural background. I have also learned and embraced many different cultures having lived in the UK and Australia before establishing myself in New Zealand. Aotearoa has been home for the past 5 years.
I first fell in love with its natural beauty and still enjoy spending time outdoors, which is one of my favourite things to do outside of work.
I also love spending time with family and friends, practicing yoga and anything to do with the ocean including coastal walks and trying new water sports.
Carol Avard
Accounts Administrator
My experience working in the not-for-profit sector was working with Canoe Racing New Zealand in 2022.
This involved frequent trips to Lake Karapiro and assisting the Operations Manager with race days, awards ceremonies, as well as helping sort uniforms for the athletes. No two days were the same!
I enjoy engaging with families and youth, and would like to use my prior experience to help our members at the Cerebral Palsy Society.
Outside of work I am usually kept busy in the weekends taking my two children to their soccer and ripper rugby games, as well as illustrating, sewing and travelling. I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit quite a few other Pacific Island nations during my lifetime and I hope to visit again in the future.
Emily Pavey
Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser
Originally from London, I moved to New Zealand more than 10 years ago (it was only meant to be for a year!) and was fortunate enough to continue with my career in fundraising which has spanned 15 years.
Having worked in many areas of relationship fundraising for a variety of causes from Oxfam to Coastguard, from Blind Low Vision to Bellyful, I’m excited to focus on trust and grant fundraising at the Cerebral Palsy Society.
I’m passionate about using my skills to support charities in any way I can.
Outside of work, you’ll find me at the beach with my kids, at the gym, or in the garden with a book in my hand.
Amy Hogan
Researcher and Member Support Advisor
Cerebral palsy is a complex condition affecting movement and posture, with diverse presentations and lived experiences. My role focuses on making information and resources accessible by translating key ideas into clear, everyday language. I write on topics such as stem cells and CP, and exercise and CP.
I collaborate with researchers, including teams at the Oceania Academy of Cerebral Palsy and other Childhood Onset Disabilities and the NZ CP Register, to stay connected with current national and international developments. My work bridges the gap between paediatric care, adolescence, and adulthood, with a strong focus on everyday lived experience. This kind of knowledge was largely absent when I was growing up with CP and, despite advances, remains an area needing further development.
I also work as an advocate for members, drawing on medical knowledge, research, and lived experience to support understanding of CP’s complexities. My focus is on being informative and engaging, with an emphasis on quality of life, independence, and living well.
Outside of work, I spend time with my rescue animals, work in my garden, read, and exercise.
Matthew Slade
Member Support and Programme Coordinator
Born and raised in Christchurch, I’m proud to be the Canterbury Member Support and Programmes Coordinator. Since joining the Society in 2011, I have taken on various roles, from managing accounts to overseeing different programmes.
Throughout the years, I have developed a strong foundation of knowledge and built great relationships with many of our members. I find joy in linking them to the support they need, whether through the CP Society’s offerings or by introducing them to external organisations that enhance their independence within the community.
I have experienced first-hand how vital the right support is for enjoying life to the fullest. Witnessing the positive changes in our members’ lives remains the most fulfilling aspect of my work.
Peter Rawlings
Member Support and Programme Coordinator
Originally from the UK, I immigrated to New Zealand in 1998.
I worked for 16 years at the Independent Living Service. This provided me with a very good understanding of disability products and equipment and the needs of persons with a disability and their family/carers.
I then joined Be. Lab (formally Be. Accessible) as an Accessibility Advisor where I worked for three years with businesses in the provision of holistic advice to improve accessibility of the built environment for all users.
Outside of work, I am actively involved in my church where I lead a course that runs four times a year and a Lifegroup that meets in my home.
I enjoy reading and when possible being out in the NZ bush and mountains.
Theo van de Klundert
Member Support and Programme Coordinator
I have spent the last four years working in the public sector and not for profit settings in various operations and governance roles.
I joined the Cerebral Palsy Society in April 2024, and previously worked in the Ministry of Health’s Regulatory and Monitoring Directorate, supporting the committee structure that provides bioethical guidance to the Minister of Health.
I am passionate about policy, advocacy and using my skills to contribute to the creation of more equitable futures of individuals with disabilities.
I hold a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Auckland.
