Our People
Passionate educators, trusted partners, and your child’s greatest supporters.
Kaiako, Leaders
and Support Crew
All Future Focus staff receive regular professional development and are supported to grow in both skill and spirit.
Support Staff
Ashlee Yandle
CEO
Kia Ora, I’m Ashlee – CEO of Future Focus Early Learning. I’m proud to lead our incredible kaupapa, where people, purpose, and possibility are at the heart of everything we do. As CEO, I’m responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and performance of Future Focus. I work alongside our Leaders to ensure we provide high-quality early learning environments where tamariki thrive, kaiako feel valued, and whānau feel a strong sense of connection and belonging. My role blends big-picture thinking with hands-on support, from shaping our shared vision and culture to strengthening leadership, compliance, and sustainable operations across our centres. At my core, I’m driven by positive outcomes – building strong, connected teams, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and making a real difference through impactful, values-led leadership. Ngā mihi, Ashlee
Sammy Hansen
Marketing Manager
Kia Ora! I am the creative mind behind the marketing here at Future Focus! Telling stories through my camera lens is where I feel most at home. I have a real love for capturing the magic, the chaos, and the everyday moments here at Future Focus!
Outside of mahi you’ll probably find me drinking my 3rd coffee of the day at our second office, Gather Papamoa! Or chasing my beautiful nephew around making memories to last a lifetime!
Head over and check out our social media as I work to bring our kaupapa to life, one frame at a time.
Laura Dargaville
Office Manager
Kia ora, ko Laura ahau – nō Te Rarawa me Ngāti Maniapoto. I’m the Kaiwhakahaere Tari (Office Manager) here at Future Focus, proudly supporting our amazing kaiako and centre leaders to keep the waka moving smoothly each day. This includes everything from HR, payroll, funding, audits, accounts, and enrolments, basically all the behind the scenes mahi that helps our kaupapa thrive.
My haerenga with Future Focus began as a māmā in our whānau, and now, three years later, you’ll find me at our Pāpāmoa head office, helping bring our values of aroha, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga to life. I love being part of this beautiful hāpori.
Lauren Fenton
Curriculum and Compliance Leader
Kia ora, I’m Lauren! I’m originally from Auckland and have been working in early childhood education for over 10 years. I have a Bachelor’s in ECE and a Master’s in Education, and I’m passionate about creating rich learning environments where tamariki can explore through free play.
My philosophy is inspired by Reggio Emilia and I believe the environment is the third teacher. I love supporting kaiako to create environments that encourage curiosity, exploration, and a love for learning.
Emilie Eede
Office Support
Kia ora, I’m Emilie! I work alongside our Office Manager Laura to help keep things running smoothly across all our Future Focus centres. My role is varied and dynamic. I support with payroll, enrolments, funding, accounts, audits, recruitment, and general administration. No two days are ever the same, and I love the variety that comes with this mahi. I am a proud parent within the Future Focus whānau.
My daughter attends our Terrace Views centre and absolutely thrives there. This is something that makes my connection to our kaupapa even more meaningful. I feel grateful to be part of a team that’s committed to making a difference for our tamariki, whānau, and communities.
Founders Story
Ray and Courtney Everest
Founders of Future Focus
In 2019, Ray and Courtney Everest took a bold step toward redefining early childhood education in New Zealand. With Courtney’s background in management and business, and Ray’s experience as a qualified primary teacher who also served as a primary school principal, they combined their unique strengths to build something meaningful. Future Focus was born from a shared vision—to create early learning environments where people matter, leadership is nurtured, and every child’s potential is seen and supported from the start.
Their journey wasn’t without its challenges. Starting with just one centre, they immersed themselves in every aspect—from building a strong culture and designing safe, enriching spaces to developing systems that could scale with growth. Courtney brought a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of overall operations, while Ray grounded the vision in educational expertise and real-world leadership experience. Together, they set out to build not just centres—but a model of excellence that could transform early childhood education in Aotearoa.
Ray’s leadership as a former principal shaped their approach to building strong teams and fostering educational integrity. Meanwhile, Courtney focused on developing scalable systems, championing innovation, and together they support their people to lead with heart and accountability. With aligned values and complementary skills, they built Future Focus on a foundation of authenticity, trust, and a relentless belief in what’s possible when adults lead with intention.
Today, Future Focus is a thriving group of centres known for their culture-first leadership, responsive care, and high-quality education. What began as a dream between two people has grown into a company that supports hundreds of families and employees. Ray and Courtney remain at the helm—still driven by the same purpose that started it all: to grow great humans, inside and outside of Early Childhood, through future-focused education rooted in love, clarity, and leadership.
Centre Leaders
Kate Doran
Papamoa Beach Centre Leader
Stepping into the role of Centre Leader at Future Focus Papamoa Beach has been both an honour and an exciting new chapter for me. I’m proud to be part of a centre where strong relationships, authentic connection, and the voices of our tamariki and whānau guide everything we do. Leading this incredible team means nurturing a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to grow.
Originally from England, I made Aotearoa home ten years ago. I’m a proud mum of two and a big believer in the power of relationships – both in and out of the centre. Outside of mahi, you’ll find me surrounded by whānau and close friends, usually gathered around good kai, sharing laughs and making memories.
Rose McLiver
The Boulevard Centre Leader
As Centre Leader at The Boulevard, I am privileged to lead a passionate team of kaiako dedicated to creating a place where every child and whānau feels seen, valued, and supported. My leadership is grounded in strong relationships, open communication, and a deep belief in the power of early childhood education to shape confident, capable learners.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mum and a big family person. I love spending time with my whānau and close friends who have become like family. You’ll often find us out exploring our beautiful moana, enjoying time on the water, or throwing a line in for a fish. I’m also passionate about cooking and hosting as bringing people together and sharing laughs while enjoying good kai is one of my favourite things.
Danielle Holland
Terrace Views Centre Leader
Kia ora, I’m Danielle – the proud Centre Leader here at Terrace Views and a passionate kaiako with over 17 years of experience in early childhood education.
Building strong, authentic relationships with tamariki, whānau and kaiako is at the heart of my practice. I’m deeply committed to upholding our centre values of connection, aroha, reka, pono and tuakiri, which guide everything we do as a learning community.
As a māmā of three and a wife, whānau is everything to me. I love staying active, sharing good kai, and surrounding myself with people who fill my cup. Relationships are central to who I am – both personally and professionally – and I believe in creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Brittney Tulafono
The Bach Centre Leader
Culture, creativity & connection is at the heart of my teaching pedagogy, ensuring all learners are valued, acknowledged and anchored in their ethnology.
As a leader, I aim to create an environment where whānau, kaiako and tamariki come together to navigate learning with a shared vision of success. Our kaiako at The Bach recognise that success varies for every individual, and are committed to nurturing these diverse pathways through responsive and inclusive teaching practice.
With whakapapa to the Cook Islands, like many, being grounded with whānau and those closest to me is what truly fills my cup and time outside of mahi. Always allowing space to reconnect and do things we love together!
Brittany Fannin
West Dune Centre Leader
Tēnā koe, I’m Brittany the Centre Leader here at West Dune. I’ve been part of the Future Focus whānau since 2019, beginning my journey when we first opened our Pāpāmoa Beach centre. It’s been a privilege to grow alongside this kaupapa that is Future Focus and I’m now honoured to be stepping into a new chapter, leading alongside this epic team of mana wāhine at West Dune.
While I take care of the daily rhythms that keep the centre running what truely lights me up lies is shaping the culture and curriculum that make our space feel like a whare and our people thrive. I lead through a rangatira lens, walking alongside my team to grow their leadership, nurture their confidence and foster a shared sense of purpose all while ensuring they push them selves to grow and always have a laugh.
I wholeheartedly believe every tamaiti deserves to know that being themselves is their greatest superpower. We are never here to change a child but to bring out the strengths and mana that lie within them that others might not have seen yet. My passion lies in building authentic partnerships with whānau to create a place that’s more than just an early learning centre – it’s a community, a village, a whare where their tamaiti will be nurtured, uplifted and always celebrated for being who they are.
I’m a proud māmā to two beautiful tama, Beau and Buddy, who inspire me every day to continue to grow and evolve and reflect on myself so that I can show up to be the best māmā possible. When I’m not at the centre, you’ll find me out in te taiao exploring with my boys, cooking delicious kai, or hosting friends and whanau – because connection, culture and manaakitanga are the things that fill my cup!
Nau mai, haere mai! Come down for a kōrero, have kawe and check out our whare. Whether you’re a whānau looking for a place to belong or simply curious about who we are, our doors are open. We can’t wait to meet you.
Ngā manaakitanga Brit x
Renee Pahuru
Livingstone Drive Centre Leader
Ko Mataka te maunga
Ko Te Tii Mangonui te awa Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Ngāpuhi te iwi
Ko Ngati Rehia te hapu
Ko Renee Pahuru tōku ingoa
Kia ora! I’m Renee, and I’ve been part of the Future Focus whānau for many years as one of our longest-standing team members. I now have the privilege of leading our amazing kaiako here at Livingstone Drive. Our team is the heart of our centre, each bringing their own passion, skills, and aroha to support every tamaiti. My role is about making sure our space feels like a second home — where tamariki, whānau, and kaiako all feel connected, supported, and inspired to learn and grow together.
Outside of mahi, life is just as full. I’m a wife to Ty, and proud mum of two teenagers daughters (one about to leave for university). We own a small electrical business, and I love hitting the gym to and spending time at the beach! Balancing whānau, work, and everything in between helps me understand the busy lives our families lead, and drives me to ensure our centre is a place of support, connection, and belonging for everyone.
People Make the Difference
At Future Focus, our people are the heart of everything we do. Across our six centres, you’ll find experienced, empathetic kaiako who are deeply committed to helping tamariki learn, grow and thrive.
We believe in strong leadership, cultural competence, and building meaningful partnerships with whānau. Every team member brings passion, purpose and playfulness to their work.
How Our Team Lives Our Values
Belonging
We create strong bonds with tamariki and whānau from day one.
Care
Our kaiako listen deeply and respond with kindness.
Curiosity
We model and encourage imaginative, independent thinking.
Wellbeing
We support the hauora of both children and staff.
Growing Together
Our team is constantly learning. From mentoring provisionally certificated teachers to attending workshops on Te Whāriki and inclusive practice, we prioritise growth so that our kaiako can give their best to your tamaiti. We also encourage input from parents and whānau, making collaboration part of our culture.
Want to Be Part of Our Team?
Future Focus is always on the lookout for passionate educators who want to make a real difference. Check out our careers page for current roles and more.