Changing Minds Announces Appointment of New CEO
The Changing Minds team and Board are delighted to announce the appointment of Kevin Harper as Kaitiaki Matua/ CEO of Changing Minds.
Kevin is most recently known to the sector as Principal Advisor to the Lived Experience and Clinical Advisory Rōpu - Mental Health and Addiction at the Ministry of Health. He brings a wealth of expertise from the public sector and is widely regarded as a champion for the Lived Experience community in Aotearoa.
“Kevin joins Changing Minds at a time of huge potential for the sector and has the expertise and vision to lead us into a new era,” says Anne Bateman, Chairperson of the Changing Minds Board. “He believes we are all being challenged to think and do differently to transform MH&A in Aotearoa and opportunities for this are being created.”
Kevin has long been a supporter of Changing Minds and knows of its work to strengthen Lived Experience voices, talent and expertise and to value diverse perspectives. “I hope that, with our Tall Trees and wider networks, we can enable and evidence people-centered and Lived Experience-led change. I feel honoured to be a part of this community,” says Kevin.
Kevin joins Changing Minds from his current Wellington base, and officially starts in the role on 9th May, 2022.
About Kevin Harper
“I hope that, with our Tall Trees and wider networks, we can enable and evidence people-centred and Lived Experience-led change. I feel honoured to be a part of this community.”
With over 16 years expertise in Aotearoa’s public sector, Kevin has worked at the Department of Labour, ACC and most recently, as Principal Advisor to the Lived Experience and Clinical Advisory Rōpu - Mental Health and Addiction at the Ministry of Health.
He has helped lead transformation in mental health by putting people’s wants and needs first and supporting innovative and alternative responses, and envisions a system designed by people, for people and delivered collectively and connectedly to build on people’s rights and strengths.
About Changing Minds
Changing Minds is a national not-for-profit organisation, working in the broad area of hauora services, human rights, and health policy.
Changing Minds reduces mental health stigma and discrimination through education and awareness. We nurture whānau mātau ā-wheako to embrace the mana of their mental health Lived Experiences as a source of collective strength to activate equitable wellbeing across all of Aotearoa.
We champion systemic improvement for the rights of people with Lived Experience, up-to-date mental health information, and social development initiatives across Aotearoa.
We see our Lived Experience as taonga (treasure) with which we can inspire and activate others to see that hopeful, positive recovery is possible.