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. 

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.

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.

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.

Dr Elizabeth Mati is a registered clinical psychologist and chief executive of Le Va.  Elizabeth has more than 20 years experience working in educational, forensic and mental health settings.

Denise is a registered clinical psychologist and specialist clinical & translational lead for the Wise Group. Denise has extensive clinical and community experience, having worked in DHB and PHO mental health services, Māori mental health, as well as in prisons. 

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 at Le Va. He is passionate about social justice and believes that solutions to problems lie within our communities.