| am Rochelle, The NGO Coach

Passionate about thriving,
not just surviving

I am based in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, but I offer online coaching sessions worldwide for NGO leaders. I have a diverse background in founding, leading, and volunteering for charities over most of my life. I am a trained coach through NZCMC. My approach emphasises persistence, self-care, and adaptability as key to navigating the sector’s complexities.

My story

My journey into community work began early, witnessing inequities in Fiji at 7 and volunteering for charity work at 11. These opportunities fuelled my passion for fairness. As I became an adult, volunteering became my leadership training. This included a life-changing trip to India in 2008, after which I founded Daya Trust to educate women and girls.

After seven years, burnout from juggling unpaid charity work and a job led to a two-year recovery. Despite this, my love for the community sector remained strong. I embraced NGO leadership full-time focusing on rebuilding and stabilising organisations, applying strategic thinking, forging partnerships, and revitalising funder relationships.

Today, my commitment to the NGO sector remains stronger than ever. I continue to learn, grow, and contribute to communities, driven by a deep sense of belonging and purpose. 

What people have
to say about me

Thank you also for your tireless years of mahi in the NGO sector, you truly have made a difference. As one of those leaders in their 40s we know we don’t walk the path alone with wahine toa like you around us.
KERRY HENDERSON
I can relate on so many levels to what you are saying. So fantastic that you are going into supporting others in the leadership space in the NGO sector … you are a legend and will continue to be so.
jacqueline wilton
The immense pressure on a leader to be steps ahead, innovate, manage, lead, advocate and drive CHANGE while managing the day-to-day operational realities of an organisation is our reality. Burnout is real. This is something we need to talk about more. Thank you for sharing your journey so openly.
HANNAH PIA BARAL

“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

Eleanor Brownn

Take you life back now!

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