Our People
Trust Board
Associate Professor
Andy Towers
Board Chair
Andy is an Associate Professor in Health Sciences and the Co-Director of the Mental Health and Addiction Programme at Massey University (Manawatu).
His teaching and research focus particularly on understanding the social determinants of addiction in Aotearoa New Zealand and the changing nature of alcohol and other drug use across the lifespan.
Andy also works with a number of government and non-government organisations on projects related to enhancing the mental health and addiction workforce. Outside of work Andy spends a lot of time with his wife and daughters, but when he can he runs for fun, loves chopping wood and does a lot of DIY on their run-down old farm house.
Raelene Rees
Board Member
Chartered Accountant and part-time runner, more enthusiasm than ability!
Sitting at a desk all day means that it’s a necessity to extend myself on the w/end, out there in all weathers doing stuff with others – running, biking, multisport, I’ll give most things a go…. In my day job I’m helping clients with their IRD responsibilities, and caring for their business so that they can do what they do best, and leave all the numbers stuff to me.
Our main office is at Riccarton, and we have a small office in Rangiora, I am also the South Island Regional Manager for Venus Women’s Business Group.
I don’t have a lot of down time lol, but when I do it would involve a book and a seat outside.
Raelene Rees
Anna Christophorou
Chief Executive Officer
Anna is our Chief Executive and Charity Founder.
A registered social worker with 25 years experience in the addiction and mental health sector Anna brings a wealth of experience, from needle exchange to service development, leadership and management positions.
A drive for better out comes for those with addiction and complex needs has led Anna to champion innovative startups in the sector both in the UK and here. In 2021, after seeing the impact of the genesis running group at Odyssey House, Anna made the bold move to leave her job and establish the Speed Freaks Trust with a $20k bank loan, the support of volunteer coaches and a whole lot of determination the charity began.
Matthew Mark
Board Member
Matthew Mark is an enthusiastic and collaborative non-profit and commercial sector leader, who brings substantial experience to his role as a Speed Freaks board member.
His background spans banking and other commercial roles through to local government, and operating at chief executive level in the non-profit sector, including as Christchurch City Missioner. He currently leads the Decipher Group, a recruitment and human resources consultancy firm, as well as being a board member for the Aspiring Youth Development Trust.
With a background in adventure racing and other outdoor pursuits, Matthew believes in the mental health and physical benefits of fitness, and is excited to strategically contribute to Speed Freaks’ emphasis on running for recovery from addiction and mental distress.
Arapata Reuben
Board Member
Arapata is of the Ngai Tūāhuriri hapū, one of the five primary hapu of Ngāi Tahu in Te Waipounamu. He currently manages the Whakapapa Unit of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the corporate entity of Ngai Tāhu. This team oversees the registration process and maintenance of the Iwi members’ database.
He is heavily involved in whānau, hapū and tribal affairs and with his wife and children still live on their whānau lands in Tuahiwi. He is very well grounded in whānau values, the same values that have been passed down through the generations. These values are called upon in many of his current and previous decision making roles, from national trusts to whānau and marae trusts.
Arapata enjoys tramping and walking on the beautiful trails in Te Waipounamu. It’s a privilege for the Speed Freaks Charitable Trust to welcome him to our board.
Staff Team and Representatives
Libby Galbraith
South Island Regional Development Manager
I am a registered social worker, avid runner, and someone who genuinely loves being around people. I have spent my career working alongside young people, supporting communities, and working within youth residence settings.
Running has long been my anchor for wellbeing and connection. I was first introduced to the world of running through Speedfreaks as a social work student, and it has shaped my belief in the power of movement to transform lives. It’s where I find clarity and joy, and where connection and community come alive.
As I step into this role, I am excited to combine my passion for running, my grounding in social work, and my commitment to helping people thrive
Tracey Wratt
Peer Support – Te Tai Poutini/West Coast
My name is Tracey and I am proud to be part of the Speed Freaks team since October at Te Tai Poutini in a peer support role.
I was born in beautiful Hokitika and have been back on the west coast for the last 20 years.
In full circle my journey of sobriety began back in Hokitika 19 years ago so the coast is tōku manawa aroha.
I love the outdoors and movement and exercise has been a key part of my recovery and mental well-being.
I have 3 beautiful children, lots of various animals and live just out of Māwhera. I love the trails, mountain biking, riding my horse and kayaking/paddleboarding with my children.
I am super excited to be able to work in such an amazing place with a great team, and the opportunity to be alongside others in their journey is really special. My early recovery was a very lonely journey with very limited support options and the kaupapa of Speed Freaks is awesome!
Catherine Brebner
Programme Coordinator Tāmaki Makaurau
Catherine has been tapping into the magic of running since she was a teenager, spending many hours on the trails of Te Mata Peak. The Speed Freaks kaupapa aligns with both her personal experience of the power of running for building resilience, and her passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. As a registered counsellor, connection is at the core of Catherine’s professional practice and she thrives on building community for tāngata whaiora. Out of office & aside from running, Catherine can be found hiking, dancing, skateboarding & snowboarding, because she believes movement of any type is medicine.
Chris Pike
Programme Coordinator Ōtautahi
I’m originally from the UK and have lived and worked in several countries before settling in the amazing Ōtautahi. When I have a bit of downtime, you’ll usually find me outdoors. I’m a keen runner and multisporter and love getting out on the trails.
My time in New Zealand has drawn me into the local endurance sports community. I’m part of the organising team for the Crater Rim Ultra, Ōtautahi’s trail running event, and I volunteer as a running coach with Speed Freaks, alongside several other endurance sport volunteering roles over the years.
Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful movement, connection, and community can be, and I’m excited to bring together my passion for running, project coordination, and helping people thrive as part of the Speed Freaks whānau.
Sophie Vabulis
National Volunteer Coordinator
Sophie has a substantial background in sports administration, funding and volunteer coordination through her work with Softball New Zealand and also through previous roles with Sport Canterbury.
An enthusiastic and experienced trail runner, Sophie has a love for Horomaka Banks Peninsula and the trails of Ngā Kohatu Whakarakaraka o Tamatea Pōkai Whenua, Port Hills.
Jody O’Callaghan
National Communication and Social Media Lead
A journalist for 20 years, Jody always said to jump to the other side of the notebook into communications it would have to be to help people. Speed Freaks is that.
After seeing the impact that addiction and mental health distress has had on members of her own whānau, Jody loves seeing a grassroots charity offering genuine connection, support and empowerment in the community.
Being able to tell the stories of those within the Speed Freaks community is an honour for Jody, and she is excited to help spread the word wider. It also gives her the opportunity to do what lead her into journalism in the first place – meeting, engaging and connecting with people.
Lorna Hughes
Community Development
Lorna began as a volunteer coach with Speed Freaks before coming on staff. She has a background in corporate human resources that has driven her to spend lots of time out of the office running on trails! She is studying towards becoming a health coach and brings a wide skill set to her work with Speed Freaks.
Jessie Lott
Group Co-ordinator – Tai Poutini/West Coast
I joined the Speed Freaks team in July 2025 to support the establishment of Speed Freaks groups across Te Tai Poutini / The West Coast. I have lived on the West Coast since 2015. I think the combination of the beaches, mountains and rivers creates a beautiful running / walking environment, which will be perfect for our local Speed Freaks groups.
I began running in 2020 whilst going through my own mental health journey. The achievements I have made, and the community I have found through running have had a really positive impact for me. I enjoy being outdoors whether its running, hiking, camping or biking.
Hannah Creask
Group Coordinator – Te Wai Pounamu/West Coast
Hannah is passionate about working alongside local whānau to strengthen connection, confidence, and community wellbeing here on Te Tai Poutini. Her most recent roles have been based in kaupapa Māori and community-based mahi.
As the West Coast Team Coordinator for Speed Freaks, Hannah looks forward to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered. She believes in the power of whakapapa, shared experience, and collective strength to drive positive change – helping each person build confidence, celebrate their wins, and thrive as part of our wider Speed Freaks whānau.
Tineke Love
Peer Support – Tāmaki Makaurau
I’m proud to be part of the Speed Freaks whānau, where I first found connection during my own recovery journey. I started by walking and slowly worked up to running, with the support and encouragement of this amazing community. Recovery has given me a new way of life, and now as a peer support in Tāmaki Makaurau, I’m passionate about walking alongside others on their path to wellness.
Aisea Tupou
Peer Support – Tāmaki Makaurau
I have been with speedfreaks since 2024 and have never left. Speed Freaks has given me purpose. The kaupapa of finding wellness in recovery through movement is amazing and has helped me so much in my journey. Speed Freaks help every aspect of my Te Whare Tapa Whā. Physical, Spiritual, Mental health, and Social/Whānau. I am now working as a lived experience Peer support and loving every moment of every day of my life!! Ngā mihi Speed Freaks!!
Jordyn Yee
Peer Support – Ōtautahi
Kia ora tātou
Ko Tākitimu te waka
Ko Nuku Mania te maunga
Ko Waitaritari te awa
Ko Ngāi Tahu te iwi
Ko Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki te hapū
Ko Yee tōku whānau
Ko Jordyn tōku ingoa
No Ōtautahi ahau
Tēnā tātou katoa
I am very excited to be part of The Speed Freaks whānau! I have my own lived experience with addiction, and am now grateful to be 2 years into my journey of recovery. I believe that movement and connection have been a vital part of my healing, and I look forward to be able to tautoko others on their journey.
Shannan Brown
Peer Support – Ōtautahi
Kia ora e te whānau, my name is Shannan.
I was raised by parents who were heavily involved in addiction, but when I became a māmā I wanted life to be different for my tamariki.
I studied my diploma in social services and community work at Ngā Maata Waka.
Eight years ago, my body, mind and heart fell in love with dragon boating. It unlocked my strength, showed me what hard work is, and I became disciplined and showed determination.
I found myself chasing endorphins through fitness.
I am now very privileged to walk hand in hand with Speed Freaks.
Stephanie Schnoor
Volunteer Trainer
I hail from the vibrant rainbow nation of South Africa and have called New Zealand home since 2016. I have a background in Clinical Social work with over 17 years of experience working and managing programmes within specialist areas of mental health and addiction.
Running has been my own avenue to support my mental wellbeing and the platform in which I have made lifelong friends and connections. Running and people – Two of my favourite things and what better opportunity to combine these passions in the work with the Speed Freaks.
Matthew O’Dea
Coach Representative – Ōtautahi
I am a volunteer coach in Ōtautahi-Christchurch with the Bridge Programme, run by the Salvation Army.
I first took up running for my fitness, but I quickly realised that the main benefit was to my mental health and as a way to relieve stress. I always feel so much better after a run.
I kept noticing the famous blue Speed Freaks T-shirts at events and saw how much fun they were having – I wanted to be part of that. The Speed Freaks whānau are incredibly supportive of one another, and it’s such a positive environment. It’s one place where I truly feel like I belong, and I’m so proud to be part of this organisation.
I love watching the progress of the whānau and seeing the amazing support from the running community towards our people.
Ben Fraser
Coach Representative – Tāmaki Makaurau
I’m very proud to be a volunteer Speed Freaks coach here in Tāmaki Makaurau. The Speed Freaks Kaupapa of building connection, health and wellbeing through the vehicle of group runs is in-line with my values and in my personal experience it works.
It’s brings me so much joy to watch men and woman grow and build pro social relationships through the #speedfreaksmagic Most of all, being involved with the Speed Freaks is fun and I genuinely look forward to my Speed Freaks runs each week.
Hadani Woodruff
Coach Representative – Ōtautahi
Hello my name is Hadani, I love being a part of the Speed Freak family encouraging and supporting others in their recovery journey.
I loooove running and I have a keen interest in how running and exercise effects our mental and physical wellbeing.
Running is so much more than just healthy exercise. It can be used as a grounding tool, to create structure and routine in ones life, to set manageable goals, to meet fabulous people and to build ones self-esteem. Let’s go!
Braeden Thompson
Coach Representative
Kia Ora, my names Braeden and I’ve been involved with the speed freaks since the first community run in Ōtautahi and started coaching in January 2022. I love the whānau vibes of supporting each other seeing the participants in the programme accomplish their goals, it is rewarding to be alongside them and experience the hype from the finish line at events.
The tāutoko and mana I have for our speed freaks makes me proud to be part of it. I don’t come from a background of recovery personally but I have a passion for running and seeing positive changes in community organisations that are advocates for people.
Hazel Dunn
Coach Representative – Tāmaki Makaurau
Kia ora, I’m Hazel, a coach in Tamaki Makaurau. I started volunteering with Speed Freaks almost 3 years ago. Since my Dad got my sister and I out running as kids, I’ve progressed from struggling along behind them, to keeping up, to totally hooked and running most days that I can. Running has been my time out space, my relaxation, my re-set from stress or busy-ness. And of course, heaps of fun and good vibes. Running with Speed Freaks is a way to share that with other people, and to get to know other runners. It’s awesome seeing people get into it, and to see their fitness and wairua improve over time. Nau mai, haere mai – come and join us!
Simone Winter
Peer Representative – Tāmaki Makaurau
I’ve been walking and running with Speed Freaks since April 16, 2022, as part of my recovery journey. Every run — rain or shine — reminds me of the power of community, movement, and resilience. These events strengthen my wellbeing and give me the chance to give back to others on the same path. Manukau Wednesdays keep me grounded, and Barry Curtis parkrun feels like home.
Todd Barclay
Peer Representative – Tāmaki Makaurau
My name is Todd and I have been with Speed Freaks for nearly 3 years. I first started at Epsom lodges and turned up because I love the comradeship and belonging I feel with Speed Freaks. I am now a peer volunteer and support Speed Freaks at Higher Ground. I have enjoyed doing events and turn up because it strengthens my recovery and I love to give back what was freely given to me.
