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leave a legacy
OUR TEAM
Board of trustees
Marina is an author, a home-schooling mother, a wife, a friend, and the founder of Invest in A Life Ministry.
Ryan is a father who spent one year traveling with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), and over the span of seven years, walked the length of New Zealand four times carrying a cross—after Jesus called him to sell everything, give everything away, and fully trust him.
Together, Ryan and Marina are raising their two children in New Zealand and working toward becoming full-time international volunteers. Their journey is about partnership with God and being channels of love, hope, healing, and provision.
Benji and Alanna Alexander
Benji and Alanna lead a global missions, and discipleship movement. They are focused on empowering people to fulfil their callings and live out their wildest dreams.
John Steffens MNZM
John recently retired from a long career in the seafood industry, where he served as a company director for a major New Zealand lobster exporter, was involved in various industry bodies, and led significant marine conservation initiatives. He was granted an MNZM in 2013 for his work. John also served as the senior pastor of Fiordland New Life Church, where he got to know Marina and came to appreciate the wonder of her reformation journey as told in her amazing book. John is now retired and lives in Nelson with Fiona and Bear, the dog. He serves at Richmond New Life Church.
Fiona Steffens
Fiona was born in Invercargill and met John at church in Te Anau. After they married, they accepted the challenge of leading what became Fiordland New Life Church. Fiona served as a pastor and also undertook missions to India. She is the mother of 8 children, the grandmother of 19 (currently), and the great-grandmother of 4. Fiona also serves with John at Richmond New Life Church.
Amy Northcott
Amy is our volunteer treasurer and administrator. She has accompanied Marina on two missions trips to visit the project and has a real heart to see human trafficking abolished. Amy and her husband Mikey love to travel and enjoy exploring the mountains either on foot or bike whenever they can.
ABOUT
Invest in a life was started by Marina Kurban and is now a registered charitable trust in NZ
Marina was raised in an environment marked by immense hardship. From an early age, she and those closest to her—family and friends alike—were deeply impacted by the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation. These traumas took root early in their lives, and tragically, there were no social support systems or welfare agencies available to offer protection or assistance. Even those who tried to break free and pursue a different life were often held back by a lack of resources, skills, or support.
Despite these overwhelming challenges, Marina has always carried a powerful dream: to change this reality—not only for her family, but for anyone who has experienced similar suffering. Over the years, she began to act on that dream, helping others in small but meaningful ways by providing tools and resources to escape cycles of abuse, poverty, and exploitation.
As Marina began to share her vision more openly, something remarkable happened—people from all walks of life were drawn to her unwavering commitment and compassion. What started as a deeply personal mission soon inspired a movement. With time, this growing circle of support evolved into a formal trust, led by a passionate board of trustees who share Marina’s vision for lasting change. Together, they are building a collective force for good—focused on breaking cycles of exploitation, poverty, and abuse.