Empowering Community Leaders: Rochelle's Journey in NGO Leadership and Strategic Partnerships

I’m a passionate champion of community leaders and organisations.
I have a diverse background in founding, leading, and volunteering for charities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

ROCHELLE STEWART-ALLEN (NZCMC Certified coach)

My journey into community work began at a young age, shaped by witnessing the inequities in Fiji at just 7 years old and starting charity work by 11. These early experiences ignited a lifelong passion for fairness and social justice. As I matured, volunteering became a foundation for my leadership development, culminating in a transformative trip to India in 2008. Inspired by what I saw, I founded Daya Trust to empower and educate women and girls.

After seven years of leading the trust, the intense demands of balancing unpaid charity work with a full-time job led to burnout, necessitating a two-year recovery period. This challenging experience, however, only deepened my commitment to

the NGO sector. I returned to the field with renewed focus, dedicating myself to the full-time leadership of NGOs. My work has centered on rebuilding and stabilising organisations, applying strategic thinking, forging strong partnerships, and revitalising relationships with funders.

Today, my dedication to the NGO sector is stronger than ever. I remain committed to learning, growing, and contributing to communities, driven by a profound sense of belonging and purpose. My journey has equipped me with valuable insights into persistence, self-care, and adaptability—essential qualities for navigating the complexities of the nonprofit world.