Meet Our EAC Staff
General Manager and Exhibition Curator
Kim Boyd
Kim holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Ceramics, Painting, Art History), a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Art & Technology, with Distinction), and a Master’s in Arts Management (First Class Honours). Originally from Africa, she moved to New Zealand in 2000, volunteering at Mairangi Arts Centre before becoming a ceramic tutor and education coordinator. She later managed Lake House Arts Centre for seven years, earning a Diploma in Production Design and Sculpting. Since 2012, she has been the Manager of Estuary Arts Centre, passionate about community engagement and fostering creative connections.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (Major in Ceramics, Painting, and Art History)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Art and Technology, with Distinction)
Master of Arts in Arts Management (First Class Honours)
Diploma in Production Design and Sculpting (Level 5)
Customer Service, Volunteer and Gift shop Coordinator
Talia Russell
Part-time: Tuesday to Friday
Talia holds a Bachelor of Industrial Design and applies her expertise to creating limited-edition fine art silk screen prints. Before discovering screen printing, she explored ceramics, slip casting, and slab building. She has exhibited in galleries in the UK and, after returning to New Zealand, is excited to create new, Kiwi-inspired prints. She was an Artist in Residence at Ink Workshop in the UK and co-founded the Leeds Print Fair, which she ran for three years. Her event operations and administration experience support her role as Customer Service Administrator at Estuary Arts.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Industrial Design
Adult Education and Outreach Coordinator
Chandra Newman
Part-time: Monday to Thursday
Chandra has a diverse background, having worked in the corporate retail sector before transitioning to nonprofit work. For the past seven years, she has supported NGOs within the Hibiscus Coast community. She is married to a retired math teacher and is a proud mother of three adult children and grandmother to four grandsons. Passionate about lifelong learning, she strives to contribute positively to her family and community. She believes kindness costs nothing but brings great rewards.
Youth Education and outreach coordinator
Klara Rider
Part-time: Thursday and Friday
Based in Gulf Harbour, Whangaparāoa, Klara is a professional photographer and visual artist with nearly 20 years of experience across New Zealand and internationally. Originally from Hungary, her European roots influence her creative vision. She specializes in portraiture, branding, interiors, and product photography, with a background in fine arts and design. Her career includes working with international designers in London and San Francisco and supporting New Zealand businesses with visual identity. Her award-winning photography has been recognized by the NZIPP Iris Awards and the International Black & White Spider Awards.
Qualifications:
Diploma in Photography
Accounts / Finance officer
Tracey Currington
Part-time: Tuesday to Thursday
Tracey is a multidisciplinary artist based on the Hibiscus Coast, working with acrylics, mixed media, watercolour, and encaustics. She has a special passion for encaustic painting, an ancient technique using molten beeswax, damar resin, and pigments to create layered, luminous artworks. Her work ranges from highly textured to smooth, often achieving an ethereal quality. She enjoys exploring the unique possibilities of each medium and continues to push creative boundaries in her practice.
and Trust Board Members
Board Chair
Dr Anatole Bogatski
Anatole has had a distinguished career with MFAT, the Auckland Business Chamber, and in higher education management. He has served on the boards of Westlake Girls High School and various international business councils, including Japan, China, Korea, and India. He was Head of Higher Education for Kaplan Australia and recently concluded ten years as CFO, COO, and VP at a graduate college in San Francisco. Holding a PhD in Politics from Glasgow University, Anatole now lives in Red Beach with his wife Margaret, both active EAC volunteers. He is passionate about the creative arts and supporting EAC’s success.
Qualifications:
PhD in Politics – Glasgow University
Treasurer
Gail Reichert
Gail has a background in organisational and leadership development, running her own business for nearly 30 years. She began her career in chartered accounting, working in New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. A long-time member of Estuary Arts Centre, she has supported volunteer workshops and fundraising initiatives. Now semi-retired, she rejoined the Trust Board to contribute further. Gail’s art practice has evolved from acrylics to mixed media and, more recently, aquarelle pencils and ink. She enjoys cycling, gardening, and environmental restoration projects in Orewa.
Heritage: Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki, Scottish, Irish, English
Trustee
Michelle Impey
With 17 years of board experience, Michelle brings a balanced governance perspective and a deep understanding of board-CEO dynamics. Their expertise spans conservation, biodiversity, and community-led initiatives, with a strong background in fundraising, project management, and public-sector partnerships. Having worked in Canada, the USA, and New Zealand, they have experience in marketing, communications, and organizational design. Skilled in managing complex relationships with boards, management teams, and conservation practitioners, Michelle excels in strategy development, risk mitigation, and fostering strong organizational culture.
Industry Expertise: Conservation, biodiversity, nonprofit fundraising
Governance Skills: Strategy development, risk management, board relations
Trustee
Mindy Melrose
Mindy has over 10 years of experience in the art industry, specializing in sales, strategy, and governance. She has held leadership roles at Christie’s in London and Hong Kong, bringing a strong commercial perspective to the arts. Since returning to New Zealand in 2022, she has enjoyed spending time on the Hibiscus Coast, where her parents have lived since 2017. Mindy holds a Master’s in Art Curatorship from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Otago. She lives in Takapuna with her husband, Pete, and their two children.
Qualifications:
Master of Art Curatorship – University of Sydney
Bachelor of Arts in Art History – University of Otago