PLATFORM - Key Persons
Clive has extensive experience in the youth mental health and addiction sector, beginning his mental health and addiction career as a psychologist in a clinical role through to his current role as Chief Executive of ADL - Rarangahia ngā ara hauora, a youth mental health and addiction provider covering the lower half of Te Waipounamu. Additionally, he has worked in the education sector as a teacher and as an educational psychologist for the Ministry of Education. Clive strongly believes in the importance of Platform/Atamiria as a champion for the mental health and addiction NGO/Community sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Job Titles:
- Darryl Bishop Holds Qualifications in Leadership, Mental Health, and Psychology, With over 20 Years of Experience Leading Large - Scale Health Projects
Darryl Bishop holds qualifications in leadership, mental health, and psychology, with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale health projects and organisations in both England and New Zealand. Since 2019, he has served as the Group CEO of Ember - Korowai Takitini, a national NGO focused on mental health, addiction, and intellectual disability.
His leadership is guided by a commitment to social justice and a determination to transform how New Zealand addresses these critical issues. He champions innovation, hard work, and supporting those most in need. Darryl is a recognised strategic thinker with a track record of getting things done. In all his roles Darryl has demonstrated that he can identify when a new direction is needed, outline a successful strategy, and take people on the journey through productive change.
Originally from northern England, Darryl has proudly called New Zealand home since 1999. While deeply dedicated to his work, his greatest passion is his family, and time with his children remains his highest priority.
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.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chairperson
- Chief Executive Officer of MASH Trust
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.
Emma is an experienced executive leader with a background in international aviation, who transitioned to the addiction and mental health sector in Aotearoa nine years ago. Currently pursuing a Masters in Health Science with a focus on Māori health and addictions, she is committed to advancing social justice and equitable outcomes for indigenous Māori as Tangata Te Tiriti.
Emma is committed to advancing social justice and equitable outcomes in Aotearoa, recognising that collectively we have a stronger voice to positively influence improved equity, access, outcomes, and choice for people accessing services. Platform's work in championing the mental health and addiction community sector aligns with this vision for a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system.
Emma holds a key position within the ASARS leadership team at The Salvation Army, actively engaged in advising and collaborating with all Salvation Army Services. As the National Consumer Advisor and special project lead for ASARS, she leads the lived experience initiatives for all TSA services, influencing decision-making, advocating for diverse perspectives, and informing policy and strategic planning. Emma is also responsible for training and workforce development of the lived experience workforce and has recently co- developed a new te āo Māori peer support model called Rātā Kouru Ora.
John has been a key member of the Emerge Aotearoa Group's leadership team since 2015. He was appointed Group Chief Executive in 2023 and was previously Chief Financial Officer.
John is a Chartered Management Accountant, and in 2022 the Emerge Aotearoa Trust Board was pleased to support his professional development by sponsoring his attendance at the prestigious Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Programme.
John also has a particular interest in social housing and property related matters. Before working for Emerge Aotearoa, John spent 12 years in the UK, including six years as a Director at Colliers International.
John is currently the CEO of Yellow Brick Road - Te Wahapūahoaho and has spent his entire working life in the charity and NGO health sector. In his current role John is raising awareness of the role of whānau as key drivers of positive mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa and trying to shift the dominant medical model that is hard-wired into much of our mental health system. John is a qualified social worker and draws on that training in striving for societal equity and healthy communities. John was born and raised in Ōtautahi but is fortunate that his job takes him all over our beautiful country. When not working John enjoys spending time with his kids and mediocrely playing guitar.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Health Executive
Memo is a health executive with substantial leadership and management experience in the New Zealand and United Kingdom health systems. He has substantial background, knowledge and understanding of mental health and addictions systems and services having trained as mental health nurse and a clinical nurse specialist in cognitive behavioural therapy in the United Kingdom.
Memo has collectively served over 20 years as a Chief Executive within the health sector having successfully led significant change and growth in a variety of health-related settings including mental health and addiction. He also has substantial experience at a governance level.
Memo says working for Platform|Atamira is a privilege and an honour to contribute to the collective and meaningful efforts of the Mental Health and Addictions (MH&A) NGO and community sector. The capability and value of this sector in supporting people with mental health distress and addiction in the community is the backbone of the MH&A system. Often, this is understated and not widely celebrated.
Memo is married with two children, now young adults. Memo lives in Whanganui, the place he calls paradise. His personal interests or hobbies include gardening, playing squash and tennis, travelling, flying, and cooking recipes from around the world. He is a football fanatic, used to play and coach, and now enjoys officiating as a football referee.
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.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chairperson
- CEO of Equip Mental Health
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.
Job Titles:
- Membership Engagement Coordinator
Tash has broad knowledge and skills in administration, co-ordination, planning, project management, communication including social media, engagement and relationship management, reporting and statistics. Tash's career has been in key co-ordination roles, with community being at the heart of her work...
Phyllis was raised among her whanau in Ngāti Awa and Te Arawa strongly connected to her whakapapa, whanau, whenua. She understands and can apply…
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Occupational Therapist
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.
Simon is a Policy Analyst with experience in policy development, legislative processes, public consultation, and stakeholder engagement. He has worked on complex policy initiatives and has built strong relationships across government and community sectors. With a background in education policy, Simon brings a thoughtful and analytical approach to advancing the interests of mental health and addiction NGOs.
Simon values creativity and collaboration in his work. Outside of policy, he enjoys salsa dancing, playing music, and surfing. While originally from Wellington, Simon enjoys traveling and has lived in Spain, Dubai and Auckland.