Talofa lava, malo e lelei, kia orana, fakalofa lahi atu, tēnā koutou katoa.
We are delighted to announce that Denise Kingi- ‘Ulu’ave will lead Le Va as the new chief executive as of February 2020.
We are also very fortunate that founding chief executive Dr Monique Faleafa will take on a new and exciting role as strategic advisor for the wider Wise Group. She will focus on equity for Pacific responsiveness to further champion cultural and clinical competencies in our communities in Aotearoa.
Denise has over 20 years’ experience in leadership experience in senior management roles. As a clinical psychologist, Denise has worked in New Zealand prisons, Māori mental health and Australian mental health services. Denise’s experience includes DHB funder and planner roles, building a Pacific maternal mental health service in Palmerston North from the ground up.
She currently chairs Pasifikology, our national network of Pasifika psychologists and serves on New Zealand’s Suicide Mortality Review Committee.
Of Tongan descent from the village of Kolofo’ou, Denise has a passion to grow and support people. Having been a senior leader at Le Va for the past eight years and led the design of two national suicide prevention programmes, Denise has a comprehensive understanding of combining clinical-based best practice with cultural wisdom and deep community connections.
We are thrilled that Denise has accepted the role of chief executive where she will be supported by a highly committed and talented Le Va team.
Ngā mihi
Dr Francis Agnew and Julie Nelson
Co-Chair, Pacific Inc (Le Va)