With a wealth of experience spanning lived experience leadership, clinical practice, and strategic design, Romy is a dedicated mental health and addiction professional. She is deeply passionate about elevating the voices of young people, ensuring they have a seat at the decision-making table for policy development and service design in Aotearoa New Zealand.Romy’s contributions to the field have been acknowledged by esteemed organizations such as the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. As an expert advisor to prominent media agencies including NZ Herald, TVNZ, and Three, she shapes public discourse on mental health and addiction.Currently serving as the Youth Lived Experience Manager at Whāraurau, New Zealand's national workforce development program, Romy leads initiatives to enhance the workforce who serves the wellbeing of infants, children, youth, and whānau facing mental health and addiction challenges.Romy holds a Bachelor of Counselling and Addiction Practice and is a qualified supervisor. In addition to her role at Whāraurau, she offers her expertise as a consultant and contract counsellor to various mental health services across Aotearoa New Zealand.