I began learning Nonviolent Communication in 2008. At that first workshop, a participant asked our facilitator, Paxe Archer, to redo a role play. Some wanted to, others didn't. Rather than choosing one side, Paxe listened until everyone's needs had been heard. Through her example, I experienced a quality of presence that gave me hope—that there was a way of relating that could genuinely care for everyone.

My path since then has included many inspiring teachers, especially Robert Gonzales. Through his work I experienced presence, self-connection and mourning as sources of growth and transformation in community. There I received encouragement to begin sharing NVC with others.

My husband, Jim Lovell-Smith, and I were certified as CNVC trainers in 2021. Together we offer trainings and ongoing practice groups that support people to bring compassionate connection into everyday life. Our shared background in Needs Based Coaching and mediation also informs our work.

My lifelong curiosity about relationships, emotion, breath, voice and movement continues to shape my teaching. As a Feldenkrais Method® Practitioner and singing teacher, I have come to trust that lasting change grows through awareness rather than effort. I delight in supporting people to discover new habits—in communication, movement and self-connection—that bring more ease, choice and enjoyment to their lives.

Since 2024 I am volunteering as Candidate Coordinator for the NVC Aotearoa New Zealand Trust Board. I enjoy connecting candidates with mentors, learning opportunities and one another, helping create the companionship that enriched my own certification journey. I also aspire to help co-create a New Zealand-based assessment process that reflects CNVC values and is accessible and culturally grounded in Aotearoa.