Board members
Arezo Nazari
Trustee
Arezo was born in Afghanistan and moved to New Zealand during the Afghan evacuation in 2021. She initially joined Mixit in the 2022’s summer project, Voices where she found the magic of performance and a sense of belonging in her new country. She became a Youth Leader in 2024 and graduated in 2025 to the Alumni Squad. Her experience of the fall of Kabul, and its devastating consequences for Afghan girls, led her to seek answers through the rule of law, human rights, and justice. She is now in her third year of university, as a recipient of the Neville Kay Mixit Memorial Scholarship, and is pursuing Law and Economics. She also serves as a trustee on the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council’s Board.
Angus Swainson
Trustee
A migrant from the UK, Angus initially trained as a lawyer and then worked for over 25 years in the corporate executive world. He later shifted his focus to team and leadership development, establishing 2bh Consulting, a company that provides leadership training, consultation, and facilitation. In his down time Angus loves to get involved in performing arts and any opportunity to get onstage, so swinging in behind Mixit was a natural fit. He enjoys contributing his skills to bring out the best in people - across the full breadth of the Mixit community, including those interested in becoming ongoing supporters and regular donors.
Susan Davis
Trustee
Susan has a background teaching and engaging with visual arts and poetry initiatives. As a trustee she brings a set of skills that connects the space between Board and Management and flows through to direct mentoring of the Mixit participants. Susan hosts our annual Youth Leaders retreats on her rural property in Northland and is a deeply committed champion and advocate of Mixit.
Sam Ramlu
Trustee
Sam is a co-founder and director of Method Digital – an innovative creative digital agency and she loves bringing stories to life through technology. A Fijian born Kiwi Indian Sam has been part of a wide range of cutting-edge digital design, virtual and augmented reality initiatives. She’s also been an active trustee on other boards in the film and music industries. Sam celebrates how Mixit supports the full health and well-being of migrants as part of positive acculturation into new communities, without losing their unique identity and sense of self.
Mark Easterbrook
Trustee - Chair
Mark works as a Writer and Creative Director in the advertising and design industry, as well as volunteering his time for arts and charity organisations. As a creative thinker, he aims to join the dots between ideas and people to help build Mixit’s connections and tell our story. As a Mixit trustee, he brings a calm, optimistic approach to what we do, and is great at seeing the merits of both sides of a situation.
Kate Elton
Trustee
Kate Elton is an accomplished marketing leader with over 17 years of experience spanning commercial and nonprofit sectors. As Head of Brand, Marketing & Digital at World Vision New Zealand, she drives innovative campaigns, digital growth, and fosters high-performing teams. Passionate about storytelling and strategy, she champions impactful fundraising and brand engagement initiatives. With her Steiner school education and love of creativity Mixit is a great connect with her professional skills and motivation for making stronger communities.
Oscar Arnold
Trustee
Oscar, who joined Mixit in 2012 as a Mixer, later became a Youth Leader, Alumni, and now a Trustee forming lasting friendships and finding creative inspiration. He is graduate in BSC in environmental studies with a minor in Māori studies, earning a scholarship for his research on cross-cultural groundwater management. Professionally, he transitioned from hotel work to science communication at Wellington's Space Place, with Mixit playing an important role in his development. Oscar volunteered in sustainable living communities in Thailand and participated in lioness rescue efforts in South Africa. Recently, he's focused on developing climate dynamics workshops through physical theatre, while enjoying dancing, skating, and flow arts outside of work.
Rana Arif
Trustee
Rana's family originally came from Syria and Iraq, although she grew up in the UAE. Her first encounter with Mixit was as an 18-year-old participating in the 2019 Summer Project Jump Cut. Based at that time in Hamilton she became a key Mixit youth contact for outreach activities in the Waikato. She graduated with a degree in Human Development and Resources, moved to Auckland and is now putting those skills to work. Rana always has space in her life for the joy of Mixit and embraces any opportunity for her inner creativity and sense of play, becoming an active Alumni member and committed ongoing contributor to the Mixit whanau.
