About The D*List

Executive Director

Red Nicholson (Te Whakatōhea, he/him) is a long-suffering Warriors fan, recovering high school teacher, and proud disabled person. With a background in the education and creative sectors, Red’s work is driven by a vision for an equitable Aotearoa, underpinned by Te Tiriti, where all people are valued and resourced to live extraordinary lives. As Executive Director at The D*List, his role is to support our team to ensure that everything we do is aligned with our values, goals and aspirations. Red, his wife and his three children live in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Editor

Olivia Shivas (she/her) has worked in the media industry for a decade, both in the disability sector and in the mainstream media. As Editor, her job is to write, commission and curate storytelling for The D*List. Olivia has Malaysian and Scottish roots and is a third generation disabled person living with muscular dystrophy. She is passionate about authentic storytelling, bringing disability rights to life, perfecting her combos at boxing class and creating excellent gingerbread houses.

Community Hub Manager

Kia ora koutou,
Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi
Ko Ella tōku ingoa
Ko she/her tōku tūkapi
He tangata whaikaha, he tangata kahukura hoki ahau

Ella (she/her) grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau and has lived in the UK. She now lives in South Auckland with her partner, children and dog. Before arriving at The D*List, Ella was working in Rainbow spaces and has been an Auckland Council Rainbow Panel member. Reach out to her for any event info, community hub details or if you need gardening tips and good places to walk your dog!

Communications Manager

Soph (they/them) was born and raised in south Tāmaki Makaurau, and most of their mahi has been in advocacy spaces with a focus on mental health and wellbeing. Soph is passionate about the power of storytelling as a community-building opportunity. They love swimming in the moana, re-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and reading. Soph has (possibly) Aotearoa's largest collection of different editions of Pride and Prejudice.

Editorial Producer

Will (he/him) is an editorial producer at The D*List. He is of Tongan and European descent and lives with cerebral palsy. As a passionate filmmaker and storyteller, his experience in the disability community has fuelled his love for sharing people's stories through both written and visual mediums. Will describes himself as laid-back guy who enjoys making people laugh and helping them feel valued in any setting. A quote he strives to live by comes from his favourite movie, Back to the Future: “If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.”

Editorial Producer

唐子遥 Eda Tang (Ngāi Haina, she/her) is a storyteller based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her role at the D*List is to use media to mirror the experiences of disabled people, amplify community voices and energise readers. Her work as a writer has featured on The Spinoff and Ensemble magazine and she was previously a Pou Tiaki journalist at Stuff reporting on local and national news related to te ao Māori, health, culture, language and education. While completing her BA Honours at the University Auckland, she was the co-editor of Craccum, the university's student magazine.

Editorial Producer

He mokopuna tēnei nō Ngāti Rangiwahitu, nō Ngaati Tiipaa, nō Te Ākitai-Waiohua, nō Ngā Pōtiki hoki. Ko Joegen ahau.

Joegen Daniels (he/him) is a creative generalist, tenured over-thinker and staunch advocate for South Auckland garages. He tells stories by drawing on independent and industry experience across film, TV, music and communications. Joegen believes that Indigenous, POC, queer and disabled storytelling is a key instrument in deconstructing outdated norms and elevating culture.

Executive Assistant

Von Ridgley (Ngāi Tahu; they/them) is Red's right-hand man here at The D*List. Outside of The D*List, they are a textile artist, a club rat, a beach frequenter, and a massive extrovert. They love using their creativity to help others, but also prioritise fun. Von has taught embroidery classes at Studio One Toi Tū since 2018, and has been spotted selling their creations at many markets over the years. They are passionate about community building, mental health advocacy, activism and emporiums.

Designer and Social Media Manager

Mili Ghosh (they/them) is a designer whose background includes a wide range of creative immersive digital experiences, from graphic design to 3D environments, music videos, game experiences and modelling. They are passionate about creating meaningful digital experiences whether that be through virtual environments or graphic and illustration. Mili has many many hobbies (hyperfixations). They play bass and is also a silversmith who makes handmade rings. They have always found themself exploring different facets of their identity, whether it be their disability, their way of living and their culture - which is why they're so connected the digital space.

Community Development Lead

Talia Stanley (she/they) is a disabled Samoan youth development worker, writer, and spoken word artist from Tāmaki Makaurau. She is the 2024 New Zealand Poetry Slam Champion and has over 12 years of experience in the arts and community sector. She is a board member of The 09 Poetry Slam and works for The D*List as their Community Development Lead. Talia believes by supporting and amplifying community voices and stories, we can create meaningful and positive change.

Kaiāwhina

Geo (she/her) grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau and Tairua, and alongside working at The D*List is a nanny, an intuitive medium and a Laughter Yoga instructor. Geo loves her friends, swimming in the ocean, and dappled sunlight. Geo is passionate about using collective joy as resistance to oppressive structures. “Down with the bloody big head!” - The Mad Hatter.

Memberships and Partnerships Manager

Joanna (she/they) has worked in the non-profit space for the last 15 years across project management, fundraising, and community building. They are passionate about a good spreadsheet, making big ideas come to fruition and creating spaces of radical acceptance where people can be their full selves. Joanna also loves a strong cup of tea, an autumnal coded outfit, and their growing collection of tiny ceramic houses.

Designer and Social Media Lead

Elise (she/her) has creativity and fun running through her veins. Born in beautiful Whakatū, Elise then moved to Pōneke to study and work as an architect while pursuing tens of hobbies, including (but not limited to) making clothes, photography, collecting slightly obscure shoes, and planning novelty themed birthday parties. In 2025 – after her broken umbrella budget ran out – Elise set out on a new adventure north, landing in Tāmaki Makaurau to pursue photography full time, study art history, and work in the music industry as a designer.

Elise is a proud sister to a disabled person; he is the huia kaimanawa of her whānau. Her adjacency to the disability community has helped her laugh her way through the rollercoaster of life, and always making time for a cup of tea.

Designer and social media manager

Mili Ghosh (they/them) is a designer whose background includes a wide range of creative immersive digital experiences, from graphic design to 3D environments, music videos, game experiences and modelling. They are passionate about creating meaningful digital experiences whether that be through virtual environments or graphic and illustration. Mili has many many hobbies (hyperfixations). They play bass and is also a silversmith who makes handmade rings. They have always found themself exploring different facets of their identity, whether it be their disability, their way of living and their culture - which is why they're so connected the digital space.

Storyteller

Naketa Phillips (Whakatōhea, Rongowhakaata) is a proud member of both the Deaf community and hearing worlds. While studying audiology at the University of Auckland, Naketa is also passionate about promoting access to NZSL education, raising awareness about bilingualism and valuing both NZSL and spoken languages. Naketa is joining The D*List as a storyteller contributing to both editorial and social media platforms. Outside of work and study you can catch her on TikTok signing along to the latest viral trends.