Staff Profiles

Chris Cole

Chris is the Learning Differences Advisor for the Trust. In this role she oversees the main programmes, Dyslexia Support South and Growing Stars, plus other initiatives that have been developed. In all her roles she provides expert information, understanding and support to parents, caregivers and organisations with on learning differences.

Chris also is Dyslexia Specialist with her own coaching and training businesses, Unique Minds and Unlock Innovation Ltd and an author of the child’s book about learning differences ‘All a Part of Me’.

She lives in Invercargill with her husband Steve and is Mum to four boys. She enjoys travelling, going to the gym and reading crime novels.

Chris is driven by a passion to ensure everyone feels valued and accepted for who they truly are. She is dedicated to helping individuals and organisations recognise the immense value in dyslexic thinking.

Philippa Christie

Promotions and Funding Coordinator.

Philippa works hard to seek out and secure crucial funding so that the Trust can keep delivering its important mahi supporting those with learning differences. She also keeps our social media and websites up to date and writes our bi-monthly newsletter. With a background in event management she particularly enjoys organising events to raise awareness of dyslexia and the services the Trust offers.

In addition to working for the Trust, she works part time as a primary school librarian and uses her creativity and ‘out of the box’ thinking to inspire children to read.

Philippa lives on a small lifestyle block with her husband and three children. When not busy working or ferrying her children to after school activities, she loves gardening, photography, trekking with her daughter and her pony and getting lost in a good book.

Rachael Norman

Whānau and Educator Support

Rachael is a SPELD and Primary trained teacher who also has her own business, Learning Fundamentals Ltd, where she teaches children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). She lives on a lifestyle block in Invercargill with her husband and three daughters.

Supporting her girls with their ponies and many after school activities takes up most of her time but any

free time is spent in the garden or with family and friends.

Emma Kini

Emma is our Board Secretary (part-time) and is responsible for Trust Board administration including meeting agendas and minutes and policy reviews. She lives in Bluff with her husband Jack, and when she is not working enjoys travelling, the outdoors and supporting the All Blacks, Silver Ferns and Black Caps in their sporting endeavours.