Who are we?
Step Ahead is a not-for-profit organisation that helps those with mental illness. Our team, board, and funders are vital to our ability to help others.
Meet us
Staff Team
Many of the Staff at Step Ahead have been working here for a long time.
Most of the staff have qualifications in Health and Wellbeing or have teacher’s qualifications.
Several have lived experience which helps with understanding of mental distress.
Kylie Phillips
Office Manager
Kylie joined Step Ahead in 2006 and works fulltime. She knows most members and frequently has them popping in to her office at the top of the stairs to say hi.
Kylie plays a huge role at Step Ahead making sure the office and finances run smoothly.
Di Cockburn
Operations Manager
Di is a legend at Step Ahead. She is one of the longest serving staff members and as such has her finger on the pulse of everything Step Ahead.
You never know what Di will be doing next, one minute she can be found helping out in the garden, taking a tramp (or one of the many other activities) or otherwise sitting in front of the computer planning next month’s programme.
Anna Tau
Senior Rural Coordinator
Step Ahead is lucky to have long term staff member Anna who brings a wealth of mōhio (experience) and kete aronui (basket of knowledge) to our organisation.
Anna is a senior co-ordinator who looks after our North Canterbury members on Mondays and Wednesday and also works at both Stanmore Road and Puriri Street during her other days.
Louise Tane
Office Administrator
Louise joined Step Ahead in 2022 and works four days a week in the office so she is very likely to answer the phone when you call.
Outside of Step Ahead Louise runs two businesses with her partner.
Kevin Muir
Puriri Team Leader
Kevin runs the Step Ahead house at Puriri Street in Riccarton.
His many talents means that he can one day be working on maintenance around the property and the next day planning a big Step Ahead event.
The Puriri Street house has become his second home since it opened in 2019.
Bryan Gilchrist
CEO
Bryan was appointed the role of CEO in March 2024. Prior to this he was Project Connect Manager at Step Ahead for three years.
Bryan has served on an international Technology Advisory Board, an American Management of Information Systems and Standards Task Force, as Vice President of the Oates-Euler Educational Foundation, on the Harts Creek Streamcare Group (based in Leeston), and is an active volunteer with the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. Bryan is also the current Chairperson of the Phillipstown Community Centre Charitable Trust Board
In his spare time Bryan enjoys tramping and the great outdoors.
Rachel Macmillan
Activities Coordinator
Rachel joined Step ahead when we came back from the first COVID lockdown and we are lucky that she has never left.
Rachel has many talents, including a very kind, and caring nature, lots of skills with jewellery making, art and crafts, and also loves the outdoors. She leads our Wednesday evening activities and can also often be found at Puriri Street where she keeps everyone happy.
Kaylee Hutton
Enabling Good Lives Coordinator
Kaylee started out with Step Ahead as a student and when she finished her study we were quick to ask her if she would like a permanent job. We were delighted when she agreed.
Kaylee is friendly, smiley and full of beans. She is always quick to help out and there are not many activities she hasn’t taken at some stage. One day she will be taking Gym and the next Walking Group, Women’s Group, Open Craft or Tramping. If you go to the gym with her she will personalise a programme just for you, then patiently and quietly help you meet your goals. A delight to have on the staff team!
Roger Searle
Finance & IT Manager
Where would we be without Roger? He is another very long term staff member who first came to Step Ahead as a member over 30 years ago, and hasn’t gone away. One of our staff with “lived experience”.
You may not see him often as he quietly but expertly works away in the background making sure all things financial are in order. He also looks after the computer and digital needs of Step Ahead.
Roger makes the job look easy but there so many variables, from digital security, software, funding contracts, reporting, data analysis, performance and audit reports, to name a few. He is a highly valued staff member.
Tom Pears
Activities Coordinator
Tom joined Step Ahead in April 2023 following a move from the UK. Tom is outgoing and adventurous. You will often find him coordinating the outdoor activities such as tramping, surfing and climbing – supporting members to challenge themselves. Tom also helps with the Wednesday evening activities, and loves having conversations with members and providing a familiar happy face.
Jen Dearborn
Senior Rural Coordinator
Jen joined the Step Ahead team in January 2022. She is the Rural Senior Co-ordinator for Ashburton. Jen works part time.
SoonMay Travers
Activities Coordinator
SoonMay has been with Step Ahead since December 2022.
She is a lover of all things crafty and can normally be found in the craft room taking sewing, mosaics or any number of other crafts.
SoonMay also enjoys music and facilitates music groups here at Step Ahead.
She is a friendly, welcoming person and enjoys the chance to engage and connect with others at Step Ahead.
Charlotte Bougos
Activities Coordinator
Charlotte joined Step Ahead Trust in 2021 and works part-time. She finished her Health and Wellbeing Level 4 shortly after.
She loves working with a wide range of people, has an interest in different cultures and languages and is currently studying Te Reo Māori.
Charlotte strives for a healthy lifestyle and enjoys sharing this with people at Step Ahead by cooking healthy meals, working in the garden and spending time in natural places.
She loves getting members out and about doing voluntary work in the community and connecting with locals.
Charlotte is most happy when she is being challenged in the outdoors.
Anjie Rudge
Rural Coordinator
Anjie has been a staff member of Step Ahead since October 2023. Anjie was employed to be an extra Activities Coordinator alongside Jen down at the Ashburton base as member numbers had been steadily increasing. Anjie and Jen offer a good mix of craft activites and local rural activites. Anjie says we are lucky to live in a beautiful area with lots to see and do.
Jen Mead
Activities Coordinator
Jen joined Step Ahead in December 2024. She loves the Arts and supports members with mosaics and stone carving. Jen has a Bachelor of Design and runs craft sessions and both the Stanmore and Puriri bases. Creative Writing is also a passion that she also shares with our members.
“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up”
Pablo Picasso
Marco Mancin
Activities Co-ordinator
Marco joined Step Ahead in August 2024. Marco is an Associate Nutritionist and Lifestyle Coach with a passion for wellbeing and supporting people to live a healthier life, free from stress and focussing on the positive side of things. Marco is origianally from Northern Italy but has lived in Christchurch since 2013.
Olivia Tsouprake
Activities Co-ordinator
Liv joined Step Ahead in August 2024. She is originally from the USA but has lived in New Zealand since 2019. Liv has previously worked in the outdoor industry leading activities such as tramping, rock climbing, sea kayaking, white water rafting and skiing.
Meet us
Who are our board members?
Step Ahead’s board is comprised of trustees. These trustees are from the community and from Step Ahead Trust membership, having each gained a place on the board by being nominated and/or elected by Step Ahead members.
Our trustees are a hugely valuable part of Step Ahead. They use their experience and knowledge to guide Step Ahead, ensuring we continue to strive towards meeting our core philosophy and trust deed.
Those on the board add their own skills and knowledge or experience with mental illness when working with Step Ahead, and their passion for the organisation’s goals is greatly appreciated as we continue to work in the community.
Our current trustees
- Dianne Dinsmore (Chairperson)
- Annette Mildon (Treasurer)
- Sharon Thomas (Secretary)
- Evelyn Nelson
- Jessica Garrett
- Bruce Hughey
- Wendy Blaas
- Nancy Milner
With thanks
Our funders
Without the generous support from our funders, Step Ahead would not be able to offer such a broad range of activities and opportunities to those dealing with mental illness. This support ensures we can continue to enhance the lives of those who need it the most.
Our main funders are:
Community Trust Mid & South Canterbury
