Sally Pitts-Brown
Chairperson
Sally originally trained as an occupational therapist and has spent many years in leadership roles across the mental health and social services sectors in NZ and the UK. In 2014, she became the Chief Executive of Pathways, a national provider of community-based mental health and wellbeing services.
“Platform|Atamira enables sector connection and collaboration and provides a collective environment for optimising the community sector.”
Sally is married with two teenage children. In her leisure time she enjoys walking, hot yoga, tennis, cooking, travel and spending time with friends and family.
Naomi Cowan
Naomi joined Platform|Atamira as a Trustee in 2012. She has previously held the position of Platform Chair.
“I’m involved with Platform|Atamira because I believe that when providers work together collaboratively we can end up achieving better services and outcomes for individuals and their families. With Platform, large and small organisations can all sit equally around the table and support one another as well as innovate together.”
Naomi is currently CEO of Equip Mental Health services in Auckland and has held positions as a mental health support worker, youth worker and a presenter at the Parenting Place.
Outside of work, Naomi enjoys spending time with her three children and husband.
Karaitiana Tickell
Tihei Mauri ora
Ko Tapuaenuku te Māunga
Ko Waiautoa te Awa
Ko Takitimu te Waka
Ko Ngai Tahu te Iwi
Ko Tahu Potiki te Tangata
Ko Karaitiana Tickell ahau
I am currently the Kaiwhakahaere/Chief Executive for Purapura Whetu Trust and have held positions previously related to direct delivery of mental health and alcohol and other drug services to whanau.
I believe in keeping people well, I think prevention is a better intervention and I think all people deserve excellent care. As a clinician and māori health equity supporter, I am positive we will be able to help more whānau in the future by promoting a pro-equity, anti-racist health system.
Kristina Sofele
Kristina Sofele is of Tongan descent, she has over 20 years of experience in statutory social work, community development, organisation and management from her work in government & community organisations. Currently she is National Operations Manager for Pacific NGO Vaka Tautua, working in areas of Mental Health & Addictions, Disability, Older Peoples and Financial Capability.
Kristina is married with three children and has three beautiful grandchildren. She is very involved in her church and Tongan community through organised sports and youth services.
"I’m looking forward to this new role on Platform|Atamira Board and working together with these wonderful people to reach to our Pacific communities."
Dr Karleen Edwards
Dr Karleen Edwards is the current chief executive officer of MASH Trust. She has worked for seven years in health management roles in Australia, including as the chief executive of the Commission for Hospital Improvement and as chief executive of the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service. Before that, she held several roles in health in Canterbury. Dr Edwards trained as a psychiatrist and has an MBChB from Otago University and a Master of Business Administration from Canterbury University.
Phyllis Tangitu
Phyllis was raised among her whanau in Ngāti Awa and Te Arawa strongly connected to her whakapapa, whanau, whenua. She understands and can apply Matauranga (Te Ao Māori) in practice, and the work that she does. Phyllis has had extensive experience in working with Māori frameworks and models of care. A trained trainer in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and versed in the application of Te Tiriti in practice. Also trained in Quality Assurance albeit some time ago.
Phyllis has had the privilege of participating in local regional and national Māori mental health developments, and during this time, provide leadership and support to the establishment of regional Māori mental health developments.
Phyllis has supported development at local regional and national levels and has worked on committee’s and advisory boards in mental health, addiction, suicide prevention, Māori Health, and general health. She is a community member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, and a member of the national mental health and addictions partnership group, a member of Te Kaunihera Royal Australia New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Phyllis currently works with Emerge Aotearoa.
Michael Douglas
Michael has worked for The Salvation Army in New Zealand for 23 years with more than 15 years dedicated to leadership in the Addictions and Mental Health Sector in a variety of roles. He is currently The Salvation Army Bridge National Operations Manager AOD Services.
Michael has considerable experience in developing and leading the direct delivery of addiction services in both regional and national settings, has previously held the position of Co-Chair Navigate South and is currently also a member of the Navigate North executive.
“I appreciate the opportunities that exist for Platform / Atamira recognizing that collectively together we have a stronger and more effective voice to positively influence improved equity, access, outcomes and choice for people accessing services.”
Michael is married with three children and aside from work enjoys spending time with family and friends and has a keen interest in motorcycles, riding as often as possible.
Deb Fraser
Deb has over three decades of leadership and governance experience working in mental health & addiction services and is currently the Director at Whakaata Tohu Tohu | Mirror Services based in Ōtepoti. Deb has been pivotal in addressing gaps in service provision across the southern district, developing a range of initiatives for tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, so they can achieve their full potential. She is the Co-Chair of the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT) and has a particular interest in ‘ethics’ in counselling practice & serves on the NZAC Ethics Committee.
Deb brings lived experience of addiction and understands the successes & challenges of recovery. She remains attuned to the current issues experienced by those facing the impacts of addiction and continues to be strategic & advocate for responsive approaches & support.
Deb is married and is raising her granddaughter; she enjoys keeping fit & staying connected to her community.
Gemma Griffin
Gemma has been working in the mental health and addiction sector for over 15 years. She has held a range of roles, but now focuses on the lived experience sector. Gemma has been a peer support worker, managed a peer support and advocacy NGO, and worked on national documents for the Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience workforce. She currently provides lived experience consulting and contracting services through her organisation, Changem.
Gemma lives in Dunedin with her eight-year-old son.