Our People​

Sally Pitts-Brown

Chief executive

Originally trained as an occupational therapist, I spent many years’ in leadership roles across the mental health and social services sectors in NZ and the UK. As service manager at Capital & Coast DHB, I led the design and build of the new Forensic and Rehabilitation services. I also spent six years in London as head occupational therapist and day care services manager for the Camberwell sector, Maudsley Hospital.

I fell in love with Pathways long before I joined as chief executive in 2014. Pathways represented all the values and aspirations I held for health and wellbeing services in NZ. I originally joined the Wise Group 12 years' ago to design and deliver their Executive Leadership Programme in partnership with Te Pou and Waikato University, then became chief executive of Blueprint.
I am married and a proud mum of two teenage children.

Ross Phillips

Business operations manager - National

Long before joining Pathways myself, I had great respect for Pathways’ leadership. In my fifteen years’ plus working in the development and delivery of mental health and addiction services, I had enjoyed working with many Pathways leaders. Their values, recovery focus and people centred approach, aligned perfectly with my philosophies.

I lead a team of analysts and portfolio leads responsible for continuous process, practice and outcome improvements within Pathways. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Policy.

Anaru Hawkins

Kaihautū - National

Kahuranaki te maunga, Poukawa te waiu, Ngati Rangikoianake me Te Whatuiaiti nga hapu, ko Te Hapuku te ariki - ko tenei taku tuatahi.

Whai mai e Ngati Pahauera, Ko Tuwharetoa, Ko Ngati Tama, Ngati Uenuku, Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi.

My role has for many years centred around the work I love doing with Real Waikato helping young people feel great about their futures. I am inspired daily by the precious taonga that is the tamaiti, as together we sing, learn, laugh, listen and challenge.

Recently I have been excited to take on another role alongside my work with Real, as Kaihautū for Pathways nationally. This role is about growing our Māori dimension and nurturing relationships with our Māori workforce, people we support and their whānau, hapuu and iwi.

The centre of my universe is my 18 month old daughter, who brings me more joy than I could ever have imagined.

Miriam Swanson

Child and youth director - National

I was drawn to Pathways by the opportunity to work in a values-led organisation, where respect for people is central to everything we do. I have been working for over 18 years as a Clinical Psychologist in child and youth focused mental health services, here and in the UK – in both clinical and leadership roles. I love working with youth and their whānau, in the knowledge that early support can make a huge difference in setting people on track for the direction they want to go.

In the role of child and youth director, I am privileged to see and support the exceptional services that sit under the Real umbrella. These diverse services, share a common focus, that young people should feel great about their future, and have a sense of agency within their communities. That’s a goal that I feel passionate about, and I am excited to be part of the effort to achieve it for all taiohi who use our services.

Amanda Bradley

General manager - Hamilton, Hauraki, Lakes and Tauranga

It is a tremendous privilege to be working with Pathways and to be surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do and are committed to providing positive outcomes for those they are supporting.

I started as a support worker 20 years ago, and have enjoyed a variety of management roles across a range of mental health and addiction services both in Waikato and Auckland. Work life balance is incredibly important to me and when I’m not working I’m either fishing or studying towards my MBA.

My purpose has always been to make a difference, and I’m thankful for this opportunity where I can share my experience and vision with likeminded people to create change and a better future for those that need support during their journey to recovery.

Elaine Wogan

General manager - Auckland and Taranaki

I have an absolute commitment to working within the mental health and addictions sector and have done so for the last 28 years as a registered nurse in a range of mental health services in England, Australia and New Zealand.

I have had a huge regard for Pathways since I was first introduced to them in Auckland over 12 years ago and feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with this organisation. When I joined Pathways, I was so impressed by the warmth and commitment of everyone and the 'can do' attitude of our teams with each other and the people who use our services.

That spirit of whatever it takes is alive and well!

Adel Stephenson

General manager - Wellington, Wairarapa and Whanganui

Nathan Davis

General manager - Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury

I am delighted to have recently joined Pathways from my previous role managing The Wood, a retirement village in Nelson. I bring a passion for wellness and supporting people to achieve successes and be their best selves, across the whole age range.

As a registered nurse, I have worked across a range of paediatric and mental health clinical jobs. Most of my mental health roles were based at Wahi Oranga, the acute admission unit at Nelson Hospital. I’ve also worked in Levin with an NGO Counselling service (LCCC) and with the Palmerston North DHB AOD service for a while.

Alongside these roles I’ve also been involved with professional standards in nursing through the HPDT for the Nursing Council and I’m the Chair of the Waimea College Board of trustees, the School my children have attended in Richmond.

I am really looking forward to meeting our Pathways’ whānau in the Southern region and across the rest of New Zealand.

I’m a husband and a dad to three beautiful young people and I love living in the center of New Zealand in Nelson! From here I am a stones-throw away from the stunning Marlborough sounds, where I thoroughly enjoy kayaking, fishing and holidaying with my extended family.

Lyndy Matthews

Clinical director - National

I have spent more than half my life in New Zealand and am a proud New Zealander. While my medical degree is from London, all my specialist training took place in Auckland. Somewhat unusually, I have worked across a variety of community settings including DHB services, NGOs and primary care.

The things that are important to me are working as a team and leaving the people I work with and the places I work in in a better place. Many of my career decisions have been driven by the aim of achieving equity of access to good (integrated) care across communities.

I find that developing relationships is key to anything I have been able to do, as is gaining trust and being approachable and open. Included in this is knowing when and where to go for expertise I don’t possess. My work has allowed me to indulge a lifelong enjoyment of human diversity and respect for humanity.

In the years since my first psychiatrist job in South Auckland – where I first met Pathways - I learned that a well-designed service needs the right workforce and a commitment to quality improvement. For those we serve, understanding how people come to be where they are, and what they may need, means seeing through multiple lenses.

Mental illness and addiction journeys are intimately linked with people’s community and social background, their culture, and their history, including trauma. Each of these domains offers an opportunity for more personalised, thus more effective, care and support for that person and their whānau.
The positioning of the clinical director role within Pathways allows me to contribute at my ‘top of scope’ and keep learning. I relish the opportunity to work within the Pathways team and engage with our people, teams and services!

Kristen Clarke

Service and relationship manager - Wellington

I trained as an occupational therapist over 20 years ago and have spent many years working in mental health both in Aotearoa and the UK. More recently I have worked in a leadership role in the area of concussion and traumatic brain injury.

I am excited to have returned to working in mental health and to be part of the Pathways leadership team. I am impressed by Pathways' values and commitment to inclusivity within mental health and addictions.

I am passionate about supporting tāngata whai ora by supporting them to find individual solutions to maximise their potential.

I am married and am the proud mother two adult children.

Melanie Govender

Service and relationship manager - Auckland

As a graduate occupational therapist, I was excited to join the Pathways whānau and become part of our shared vision to support tāngata whai ora to flourish, shape their future and achieve their dreams. I have been fortunate to have led various services within Pathways from acute, crisis respite, mobile and day programme.

Recovery and hope are at the heart of what we do and across our services I have seen the difference it can make in the lives of our whai ora, their whānau and the community.

I am passionate about sensory modulation and have developed training within Pathways to empower whai ora and taiohi to learn about the unique way they can use their senses to experience a sense of safety and control, so they can achieve what they need and want to.

James Scarlett

Service and relationship manager - Auckland

I started at Pathways in 2017 as a youth worker at a Real youth respite while studying towards my Bachelor of Youth Development. In 2019 I moved into the Health and Wellbeing team as the healthy lifestyle coordinator for the Northern region. While in this role I completed my undergrad and then took an opportunity to return to youth respite as the team coach. During this time, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, specialising in Alcohol and Drug Studies.

In 2022 I took on my current role as service and relationship manager in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. I am also currently a registered Addiction Practitioner with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa (DAPAANZ).

The values of Pathways and Real strongly align with my own. I am passionate about creating services that provide the best service of care for tāngata whai ora and taiohi me ngā whānau.

Franziska Kerdemelidis

Service and relationship manager - Canterbury

Kia ora koutou
Ko wai ahau
Ko Calanda te maunga
Ko Waimakariri te awa
Ko Conferation Helevetia raua ko Ngati Pakeha oku iwi
Ko Banfield raua ko Bodmer oku whanau
Ko Franziska ahau
Ko Kaia taku kotiro
Ko George taku tama

I joined the Pathways whanau after working for the CDHB for 10 years. I am an Occupational Therapist by trade but have spent most of my working career in generic mental health roles both in the NGO sector and DHB environments including management, leadership and quality positions. I was previously a team coach at Pathways during the early years of establishing our services in the area.

I have an absolute passion for mental health, supporting people to live their journeys, being part of their stories and holding hope.

On a more personal level I am of mixed culture - Swiss and Pakeha - and grew up primarily overseas, settling in New Zealand when I completed my undergraduate studies.

I have two teenage children of whom I am very proud to be their mother.

Jodi Roberts

Service and relationship manager - Nelson Marlborough

I am excited to be part of the Pathways whānau as service and relationship manager for the Nelson Marlborough region.
I have over 22 years’ experience as a mental health nurse in DHB positions and more recently I was mental health manager at a local primary health organisation.
I value working with integrity and inclusiveness. Like Pathways, I believe the person should be at the centre of everything I do, and I hold a strong commitment to the principals of equity and providing better care options for all our guests and people we support in the community.
I want to see people not only recover but flourish!
My whānau, friends and the outdoors keep me energised. My fiancé and I have three adult boys and I’m also a nana to two lovely girls.
Ngā mihi

Clare Lennox

Service and relationship manager - Auckland

I have worked in mental health for over 16 years, working my way up through NGO and DHB positions, into leadership roles. It is an absolute privilege to work with people and make a difference in their lives.

Before I joined the team, I had had great feedback about Pathways from people I had worked with previously. I could see Pathways’ values fit with both my personal values and my social work values of social justice and equality.

I love the variety and challenge that working in a dynamic organisation like Pathways brings and the potential to influence our practice and the broader sector,

I have a BA degree in psychology and education and Masters in applied social work

Frank Perrott

Service and relationship manager - Auckland

After graduating as an Occupational Therapist I started working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. I then spent a number of years overseas in Bermuda working in adult mental health and then in China, where I went back to working with youth, supporting students with learning difficulties in the international schools.

After developing my skills internationally, I wanted to return home to Aotearoa to share these skills with New Zealand communities.

I started work with Pathways as the team coach for Te Whare Waimahana, a six-bed acute respite service in Onehunga. I now work as a service and relationship manager for the Pathways Northern region. I love my job and I am passionate about the work Pathways carries out.

Renee Newton

Service and relationship manager - Hamilton

Ko Taupiri te maunga
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Waikato te iwi
Ko Ngati Hikairo, Ngati Ahuru me Ngati Mahanga oku hapu

I started at Real while studying towards a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Work and took on a full-time role following my graduation in 2017.

Once I registered as a social worker, I moved into the role of team coach for our first Real residential service in Hamilton, Te Whare o Rongo. I eventually progressed to the role of service and relationship manager for Real and Pathways in Hamilton.

I am one of four Kaitiaki for Pathways and Real and work closely with our Kaihautu and Kaiwhirimuka to strategically build workforce confidence and competence around Te Ao Māori.

I am passionate about the mahi we do at Real and Pathways because I have seen the difference it can make in the lives of the whānau we walk alongside and care for. I value our organisational passion and drive to work together to be better for our people: our staff, the whānau we support, their whānau and our wider communities.

Naku te rourou naut e te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your basket and my basket, we will sustain everyone.

Sally Whitelaw

Service and relationship manager - Hauraki

I have been delighted to recently join the Pathways whānau and become part of something very special - a truly innovative, forward thinking and person centered organisation.

I am originally from Victoria, Australia and I first trained as an Enrolled Nurse and worked in variety of nursing roles in Perioperative services across Australia including Shepparton, Darwin and Perth. I am now a Registered Addiction Practitioner and Accredited Supervisor with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association Aotearoa (DAPAANZ) and I have worked in a range of leadership and clinical positions since moving to New Zealand in 2008.

I am undeniably a “people person” and find great satisfaction in working with teams and supporting teams to offer the best services possible and I have a special interest in supporting the roles of those with a lived experience of mental health and/or addiction. I have a committed interest in indigenous health issues and I am driven to uphold our Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and to achieve the best possible outcomes for Māori as tangata whenua.

When I am not at work you will find me with my friends and family on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula enjoying the sunshine, boating and fishing.

Pene Te Puni

Service and relationship manager - Taranaki

I started my career working in Mental Health and Addiction as a Support Worker at Pathways Taranaki whilst studying to become a Registered Nurse.

Nearly two decades of working in a variety of Mental Health and Addiction services and agencies in the Taranaki region, I am delighted and proud to have the opportunity of returning full circle to Pathways as a Service and Relationship Manager. Pathways is an organisation that has not only inspired me, but reflects my own values… to help everyone we support to have somewhere to live, something to do, someone to love and something to hope for… Whatever it takes!

Kerry Debrah

Service and relationship manager - Whanganui

South African born to an English father and a New Zealand Maori/Pakeha mother has not only given me a rich cultural heritage as a foundation, but also an appreciation of diversity and a genuine curiosity to better understand people. I started my career in international brand management working in corporate marketing in Europe.

After 10 years I relocated to New Zealand with my son to be with my whānau. This led to me changing career paths and studying to gain a Bachelor degree in Social Work and become a registered social worker.

I've been blessed to work across mental health and addictions in the NGO sector for over 12 years, starting as a support worker and moving into a number of leadership roles within well established NGOs.

I am thrilled to have joined Pathways and to be a part of such a people focused, forward thinking organisation. Pathways aligns beautifully with my personal belief that everyone matters to somebody and therefore everybody deserves the opportunity and access to support, in order to shape their futures and live well. I am passionate about recovery and committed to making a positive difference in the lives of the people we support in Whanganui.

It is said that Whanganui is “everything you need and then some”. In my view, the same can be said about Pathways.

Andrea Berrett

Service and relationship manager - Wellington

After working in physical health for 12 years, I was looking for a new opportunity. So 20 years ago, I began my journey in Mental Health, starting work as a casual with Pathways.

I found an organisation with which I felt a strong values connection and haven’t looked back. Pathways has supported me through a variety of roles and I moved into a newly formed leadership position in 2006 – lead support worker. This was a springboard for me to a team coach position and more recently into the service and relationship manager role.

The journey through support work to leadership gives a perspective that I feel resonates with team members – I have a deep understanding of what we are asking people to do and I passionately believe in ‘Whatever it Takes”. This is entrenched in our region, where we work alongside our sister entities to support our folk being housed, employed and to build strong community connections. Collaboration is key.

A cliché, but no two days are the same. All it takes sometimes after a really full on day, is to reflect on the positive outcomes our people assist with every single day.

Arnie Martinez

Service and relationship manager - Wellington

Working for Pathways as a team coach since 2015 enabled me to see that with people’s everchanging needs, the services offered are personalised and responsive. Pathways' strength-based approach and person-centred care are congruent to what I value most - respect and open mindedness. I am excited to grow and develop within Pathways.

Originally trained as a psychologist, I held a variety of roles in different sectors; clinical, educational and occupational settings. I have been working in mental health and addictions since 1995 (Philippines and New Zealand). I am a DAPAANZ registered professional since 2010.

I am a daughter, a wife and a mother of three.