Our team — MentorED

Mercedes Strutt

FOUNDER, TRUSTEE & MENTOR

Mercedes is the driving force of MentorED Ngā Whakaruruhau Mātauranga. Originally from the UK, Mercedes now enjoys life in the Manawatū. She is the primary handler for Rocco the Therapy Dog and loves working with the tamariki and community of Palmerston North.

Bridget Verry

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Bio still to come!

Rocco

MENTOR

Rocco has worked for MentorED Ngā Whakaruruhau Mātauranga since 2019. Originally from Tauranga, Rocco now calls Palmerston North home. He loves river walks, listening to kids reading, and rummaging for tissues in rubbish bins.

Jonathan Spencer

BOARD CHAIRPERSON

A former teacher, Jon moved to the Manawatū in 2010. Jon volunteers his time to various organisations in Palmerston North and has been on the board since the beginning of MentorED Ngā Whakaruruhau Mātauranga.

Sara Finlayson

BOARD MEMBER

Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Manawatū te awa
Ko Tararua te pae maunga
Ko Ngāti Tūranga te hapū
Ko Ngāti Raukawa te iwi
Ko Paranui te marae
Ko Sara Finlayson toku ingoa.

Kia ora my name is Sara. I’m a newly graduated teacher and love that I have the opportunity to bring everything I’ve learned through MentorED Ngā Whakaruruhau Mātauranga, into my classroom. I believe that all tamariki deserve to feel that they matter and that their thoughts, feelings and opinions are worthy and valued. This is where MentorEd truly shines. The support that our mentors give tamariki is priceless.

David Hayman

FOUNDER & TRUSTEE

Along with Jon and Mercedes, Dave is a co-founder and board member for MentorED Ngā Whakaruruhau Mātauranga. David is a Professor of Infectious Disease Ecology but has learned a great deal about young people in Aotearoa as a foster carer in Palmerston North. As the Dad of two boys he has also been involved with various schools both here and in the UK and the US with a previous governance role in the UK.

Fiona Cain