Trust

ELEVATE Christian Disability Trust is governed by a board of Trustees. They meet several times each year to advise and give direction to the Ministry.

David Senior, Chairperson

Chairperson: David Senior

David is the Chairman of the Trust and is blind. Along with his wife Phillipa, he has had a long association with the Trust right from very early days. He was involved in the National CFFD board before moving to Kaitaia. David and Phillipa have now moved to Kerikeri to be closer to their grandchildren.

Photo of Alan Pace, Secretary

Alan Pace

Alan was first involved with the ministry back in 1992 where he met his wife Kathie. They have three children. He has an analytical background and has worked for a variety of large companies.

Photo of Di Willis, Ministries Director

Di Willis

Di is one of the co-founders of the ministry, along with her late husband Hugh and close friend, the late Margie Willers. Her training as an Occupational Therapist has given her valuable insight that she utilized in the development of resources and training, running camps, setting up the Drop-in Centre and oversight of the branches. Today she still attends the Drop-in Centre most weeks and continues to keep in touch with people in the ministry regularly.

Photo of John Hawkins

John Hawkins

John works at Victoria University in Wellington as the Mechanical Technician in charge of the Engineering Workshop for the School of Architecture and Design. He and his wife Lyn have been involved with the Wellington Branch of CFFD since its inception in 1982, now as Chairperson and Secretary respectively. John was invited to be a member of the Elevate Christian Disability Trust Board in 2012 and is also on the Avalon Assembly of God Church Board. He has a daughter and a son, and three grandsons and one granddaughter – all of whom have him wrapped around their little fingers!!

Photo of Nick Abplanalp

Nick Abplanalp

Nick has been involved with Elevate since first attending a National camp in 1993 and he has been a Trustee for a number of years.  Nick is married to Mary Anne and they are now proud grandparents.  Nick has a back ground in business and enjoys participating in various activities including surfing, wing foiling and bike riding.

Photo of Vanessa Creamer

Vanessa Creamer 

Vanessa started attending National camp in 1998, and has not missed a camp since. She joined the Auckland Branch of CFFD in 2002, acting as chairperson for 11 years, before moving to Wellington in 2015. After volunteering each Tuesday for three years at the drop in centre she started her Bachelor of Applied Theology at Carey Baptist College, graduating in 2013. Vanessa has worked as a Legal Executive, a teacher aide for a Deaf child, an Executive Assistant for the Mental Health and Deputy Commissioner, Disability (HDC), and currently works in providing employment support for people with mental health issues.

Olivia smiles at the camera with arms crossed. She wears a white shirt, burgundy pants and sits in a wheelchair.

Olivia Shivas

Olivia has been involved with Elevate since she first went to a National Camp as a young child with her whānau. Now working in the media industry with a background in journalism, Olivia is passionate about giving disabled people a voice and seeing better representation of disabled people in the media and within the church community. She is a proud disabled person herself and in her free time she enjoys brunching with friends, boxing and baking cupcakes.