Shaun is a father, partner, musician, gardener, sometimes surfer and organisational leader – he also lives with bipolar disorder. His professional passion is promoting a holistic response to mental health- particularly the things that people can do in their day to day lives to uplift their mental wellbeing - whether they are recovering from a time of mental distress, managing a long term condition, or maintaining positive mental health.
Shaun has worked in social and health services for over 30 years. With degrees in business and community work, he has held four other CEO positions in not-for-profit organisations, addressing issues from care and protection of children to HIV and AIDS. He has also been a management consultant to public hospitals, developed a successful training business and been a policy advisor to former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark. He has served on commercial and not-for-profit boards and on a range of government working parties and advisory groups.
Shaun says it is a privilege to contribute to the mental wellbeing of New Zealanders, and to the flourishing of our diverse communities.