Dr Rebecca Michalak, Managing Director, PsychSafe (Australia via zoom)

Dr Michalak is a specialist risk manager, with niche expertise in psychosocial hazard and risk factor analytics including likelihood of psychological injury (disease) and injury foreseeability, prosecution risk profiling and comparative benchmarking, psychological health and safety culture maturity assessment, and PCBU strategic mindset and performance indicator review. She brings together OSH risk management (including ISO45003), strategic HRM, and ESG / corporate governance.

Leveraging a uniquely transdisciplinary experience background and formal qualification base, Dr Rebecca Michalak’s expert opinion, expert advisory, and analyst activities involve evidence- informed, critical evaluation of management and leadership, HR, and OSH practices, including but not limited to the extent to which relevant safe systems of work are implemented in line with ISFAIRP / ALARP considerations, national guidance material, and Codes of Practice, the degree to which duty of care requirements are met, and management action is reasonable and undertaken reasonably. She can also offer opinion on concomitant adverse actions, Stop Bullying applications and orders, Stop Sexual Harassment applications and Orders, unfair dismissal including constructive dismissal, and reasonable additional hours per the National Employment Standards.

Dr Hillary Bennett, Director, Leading Safety

Dr Hillary Bennett is a director of Leading Safety, a consultancy specialising in safety leadership, safety culture, human factors, and workplace health and safety. She is a registered psychologist and works with organisations across all sectors to develop safe and healthy workplaces. She has a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing at work. She developed the Business Leaders Forum’s CEOs Guide to ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work’.  Dr Bennett has been exploring how to apply Safety-ll principles to enable and support workplace wellbeing. Hillary was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the New Zealand Health and Safety Awards 2019. 

Adele Saunders, Manager Wellbeing & Psychological Services, St John

Adele is a Registered Psychologist, who started her career working with individuals presenting with complex issues relating to their experiences of trauma. With over 18 years of experience, Adele has provided therapeutic intervention for individuals and families as well as developing staff and organisations through coaching, education and supervision. Adele currently works for St John as their Manager of Psychological Health and Wellbeing, where she is responsible for developing and implementing a robust mental health and wellbeing strategy in this high-risk organisation. This has meant that in the last few years Adele has been closely involved in supporting the St John Ambulance staff following major incidents such as the Christchurch Mosque attacks, the Whakaari eruption and more recently the COVID-19 Pandemic response.   

Bridget Jelley, Director and Workplace Psychologist, Glia

Bridget is a registered Psychologist and one of the very few Coaching Psychologists here in NZ. Her passion is in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of professionals and senior executives so that they can help their workforces to thrive. Bridget’s applies her skills in psychology to the field of business enabling those who work with her to really extend themselves and reach their goals. She is experienced in educating leaders on mental health in the workplace, building resilience, assessing psychological health, professional supervision and psychological risk management. Warning, Bridget is not your typical Psychologist!

Dr Fiona Moir, Pastoral Care Chair & Wellbeing Lead at Medical School, University of Auckland

Dr Fiona Moir is a Senior Lecturer and divides her time between the Auckland Medical Programme, (where she is responsible for pastoral care of students and the wellbeing curriculum), and her private education business, Connect Communications, which specialises in communication, supervision, and wellbeing training. Connect was established in 2001 and works with national health professional bodies such as the Medical Council of New Zealand, the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Society, the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Dental Association. Fiona’s background is in General Practice, and her PhD is in student wellbeing. In 2018, she won the University of Auckland Vice-Chancellors Excellence Award for Health, Safety and Wellbeing. She has co-designed and led HOTSPOTS, the anti-bullying initiative which won the Collaboration category in the New Zealand Work Health and Safety Awards, 2022. She has published widely and regularly presents at plenary sessions or runs workshops at academic conferences, as well as working with industry groups across New Zealand and Australia.    

Jay Barrett, Psychologist, Glia

Jay’s passion is helping organisations and individuals connect with productive and helpful goal-oriented behaviours. Using evidence-based tools to guide his approach, he aims to enhance the capabilities of organisations by developing their culture, health, and safety. 

Jay pulls his knowledge from a range of areas. Coming from a competitive background in professional downhill mountain biking and skippering commercial super yatchs, Jay now works with some of the world's elite high performers on their psychological performance and how they manage psychosocial risks.

Jay is a Registered Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychologists Board and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology.  Jay has experience with small-large businesses, large corporate environments and individuals wanting to simply get the best out of their day to day.   

Dr John Fitzgerald, Manager Mentally Healthy Work, WorkSafe

Dr John Fitzgerald, leads the team at WorkSafe focused on Mentally Healthy Work. He is a NZ Registered Psychologist within the Clinical Scope of Practice, who has worked in adult mental health; alcohol/drug services; and child & family psychological health. Prior to joining WorkSafe, John was a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Massey University.

Keri Woods, Consultant, Leading Safety

Keri Woods is a facilitator and consultant at Leading Safety, with a background in HR, organisational psychology, counselling, and executive coaching. Keri is also an accredited Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey practitioner. Leading Safety specialises in health and safety leadership and culture, including mental wellbeing in the workplace. Leading Safety works closely with the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum, which brings together business and government leaders committed to improving the performance of workplace health and safety in New Zealand.