Meet the team

Tiana has over 20 years of extensive experience working with communities in Australia and New Zealand in public health, mental health and particularly in the areas of violence prevention, homelessness and suicide prevention.  Tiana hails from Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Pūkenga, Ngāti Ranginui and Kāi Tahu.  Tiana feels privileged to be a member of Le Va's senior leadership team as she leads Aotearoa, New Zealand's national suicide prevention programme, LifeKeepers. 

Heather is our LifeKeepers Project Manager.  Heather’s journey began in the rural community of Whakatau, nestled on the beautiful Heretaunga plains  of Te Matau-a-Maui.  She has a professional background in Project, Change and Operations Management and an academic background in Commerce and Prince2.  Heather hails from Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

Tamara is our suicide prevention senior project coordinator and brings more than 13 years experience working across the health and social services sectors.  Tamara hails from Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa from Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Tahiti and islands within the Tuamotu and Tuha'a Pae achipalego.

Sophina is our project coordinator and administrative extraordinaire.  Sophina's previous roles have seen her supporting hapū māmā, and coaching taiohi (youth).  Sophina hails from the Cook Islands and Niue.

Karl is one of our LifeKeepers facilitators and brings with him extensive experience in the commercial and community sectors. Karl is of Samoan and Māori descent with whakapapa to Te Rarawa and Lefaga, Upolu Samoa.

Denise is a registered clinical psychologist and chief executive at Le Va. Denise has extensive clinical and community experience, having worked in DHB and PHO mental health services, Māori mental health, as well as in prisons. 

Dr Elizabeth Mati is a registered clinical psychologist and general manager at Le Va.  Elizabeth has over 20 years experience working in educational, forensic and mental health settings.

Kirsten is Le Va’s communications and engagement manager, sharing the stories of our amazing team and the communities we serve. She has extensive experience in the communications arena, and is a proud wāhine toa of Tongan, Māori (Ngāti Awa), and Pākehā heritage.

Sean is Executive Assistant to the CE and manages day-to-day operations. He is passionate about social justice and believes that solutions to problems lie within our communities.