Senior Leadership Team

Meet our Senior Leadership Team

WALSHtrust has been supporting Waitakere communities for over 30 years. Our mental health support team provides services and information to help individuals and whānau maintain their mental health and live well.

The team behind our mental health support team at the forefront of WALSHtrust meets on a regular basis. We are privileged to have such a wide range of knowledge and expertise in the field of community mental health services available to us.

Will 2024
Will Ward
Chief Executive

I’m an Irishman who’s been living in New Zealand for 20 years. My partner Anna and I have been together for over 27 years, having lived in England for nearly 10 years before moving to New Zealand.
I’m the oldest of seven siblings and love getting back to Ireland on a regular basis to visit family.
I feel really blessed with a career of over 30 years working in the social
services/health sectors; my first role was as a residential support worker!
I left WALSH 7 years ago, having worked here for 11 years previously as General Manager. I remained a ‘friend’ of the organisation and kept in regular contact.
My most recent role was National Manager Leadership and System Change with Te Pou; a role I really enjoyed and an organisation I greatly respect. When the
opportunity to return to WALSH as CEO became available, I jumped at it.
The role of an organisation like WALSH as it serves its local community is critical
within a wider community development infrastructure. We have the opportunity to work with individuals and their whānau everyday with the absolute clear intention of supporting their potential; the unlimited possibilities available to use all. The privilege of this is something I am very mindful of.
My vision is so important to me… it shaped my return to WALSH and drives mygovernance career.
Our mindset is our superpower in this work. I am optimistic about what we can all achieve together.

Paula Armandi
HR, Quality & Organisational Development Manager

In 2001, I arrived in New Zealand from Argentina where I had trained as a psychologist. For the past 18 years, I have worked in mental health within community organisations. I also completed a Master’s in Applied Social Work from Massey University during this time. As a registered Social Worker and Addiction Practitioner with the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association (DAPAANZ), I work in organisational development and quality improvement.

I am proud to be able to support the teams at WALSH Trust and witness their great work supporting the well-being of people in our West Auckland communities.

Glenda
Glenda Billings
Service Manager Housing & Recovery Services
Zsanett
Zsanett Erdelyi
Service Manager Integrated Practice Team Te Moana

Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, I moved to Aotearoa to complete my Social Work Degree. After completing my degree, I decided to stay. Aotearoa has been my home now for nearly 10 years. I have held professional roles within the mental health sector for 7 years and I joined WALSH Trust in 2017.

Being one of the Service Managers of our Integrated Practice Team is a privilege, and I’m passionate about improving the well-being of our community.

Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family and going for long walks on the beach.

Laura Sanchez-Jimenez
Service Manager Maternal Services

Originally from Mexico, I’ve dedicated over a decade to medicine, specializing in psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. Since 2016, Auckland has been my home.

With a background in the NGO sector, I currently serve as the Service Manager for the Maternal Mental Health Service, where my passion lies in supporting the mental well-being of women and children. Combining cultural insight with clinical proficiency, I strive to foster compassion and inclusivity in both professional and community settings.

 

Ashleigh Clarke

Ashleigh Clarke is the General Manager at WALSH Trust.

“Originally from South Africa, I moved to Aotearoa with my family as a child and made the beautiful North Shore in Tāmaki Makaurau my home.

I hold Post Graduate qualifications in Psychology and a Master of Management majoring in Health.

Prior to coming to WALSH Trust, I have had senior management roles in the NGO sector and bring strong operational knowledge of mental health and social services in Aotearoa.

I am a seasoned people leader with a proven commitment to fostering inclusive, values-driven organisations that make a meaningful impact for the communities they serve.”

Give Us Your Feedback

Your feedback is important to us!