Learn about the history of the NDSA
Officially established as an incorporated society in 2021, five different iterations of Executives of the National Disabled Students’ Association Inc have served students across Aotearoa. Here are some of our Executives since the founding of the NDSA. Note that in 2023, the NDSA went from having general executive to portfolio roles, developing the Engagement, Relations, and Administration Officer roles.
Alice Mander (she / her)
President (2021), Co-President (2022), Founding member
Alice is a lawyer and fierce advocate for the disabled community. She has championed equity for New Zealanders in a range of sectors — from founding and leading the National Disabled Students’ Association, being a panel member on the Independent Electoral Law Review Panel, directing web series Clickbait and Crutches, and writing across multiple platforms. In 2025, she is working as a lawyer, advising on a range of public and private disputes. Alice is passionate about representation and fostering disability pride amongst disabled rangatahi, and is always open to provide mentorship or share her experiences.
Tangihaere (- / – )
Vice-President 2021
Bio coming soon!
Lauren (- / -)
Executive 2021, Co-President 2022
Bio coming soon!
Ella (- / -)
Executive 2021
Bio coming soon!
Emma Cooper-Williams (she / they)
General Executive 2021, Vice President 2022
Emma is based in Tāmaki Makaurau, now working as an Advocate for the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service. She is passionate about creativity and education, and co-facilitated a spoken workshop series at the D* List in 2025.
Sean Prenter
Executive (2022), Co-President (2023 – 2024)
Sean is CE of Access All Areas and has represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the Global Disability Summit, Pacific Disability Forum, and Unite2030’s New York Innovation Lab. He serves on multiple governance boards, including the Disabled Persons Assembly National Executive Committee, Your Way Kia Roha, and Wellington City Council’s Accessibility Advisory Group. A University of Otago Young Alumni Award recipient and Prime Minister’s Scholar, Sean champions disabled people’s access, inclusion, and dignity through research, leadership, and public speaking.
Tara Shepherd (she / her)
Role Executive (2022), Co-President 2023 – 2024
Tara’s advocacy sits at the intersection of disability advocacy, climate resilience, rural communities and mobilising people. Her mahi is over the span of a decade with some highlights including being the Co-President of the National Disabled Students Association (2023 & 2024) seeing out some key projects in NDSA legacy including leading the inter-agency research project. She brought lived experience of disability to the role and during her three year tenure serving her community at NDSA, Tara was a student studying at Otago University helping to pioneer accessibility.
Michael (- / -)
Role _ – _
Bio coming soon!
Avalon (- / -)
Role _ – _
Bio coming soon!
Stephanie (- / -)
Administration Officer 2023
Bio coming soon!
Leo He (they / them)
Vice President 2022, Administration Officer 2023
Leo is currently working as a budget facilitator in the Flexible Disability Team at Skillwise, an EGL-focused organization located in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Leo is currently studying a Masters in Counselling hoping one day to start their own practice focusing on neurodiversity, chronic illness, and medical trauma.
In 2025, Leo was elected to the Chair of the Christchurch Kirk Disability Branch of the Labour party where they continue to advocate for disabled people and for policy change.
Nevé (- / -)
Administration Officer 2024
Bio coming soon!
Alex (- / -)
Engagement Officer 2024
Bio coming soon!
Ella McDowall (she / her)
Engagement Officer 2025
Kia Ora! I’m Ella McDowall (she/her). Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in International Relations and Political Science, and French at the University of Canterbury.
Through my own lived experience with several chronic illnesses, I am acutely aware of the challenges we, as disabled students, face. This perspective has fuelled my passion for accessibility and inclusion advocacy. My advocacy background involves working with UNICEF Aotearoa as a 2024/2025 Young Ambassador.
Hannah Pretious (she / her)
Relations Officer 2025
Kia Ora – I’m Hannah. I am a researcher and advocate from Palmerston North, now based in Dunedin, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies and Anthropology at the University of Otago.
My advocacy work began in the student space as a founding executive member of the Otago Disabled Students Association. Since then, I’ve completed a Be. Internship with the CCS Disability Action National Policy Team, conducted research for the New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health, and joined the Ministry of Education Te Poutāhū Disability Voices Group. In 2023, I returned to student advocacy with the “Study As Sunflowers” project, highlighting the experiences of disabled tertiary students worldwide.