"Skylight was the right fit for me. I have a real connection to Skylight and its focus on children and mental health. My friend had a personal experience with Skylight, so I was familiar with its important, helpful work and being in the education sector I was very aware of the growing need for support.

The resilience skills Skylight promotes in tamariki and rangatahi are the skills most people need to navigate life. By using specialist trained counsellors and facilitators to work with children, and by targeting mild to moderate mental health issues and risk, we are filling a gap and setting up people and society to succeed."

Lesley brings a wealth of experience to the Board. She is Chief Executive at the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand – responsible for providing strong leadership, influence and the drive to lift the status of the teaching profession. Her background in IT, e-learning, change management, public service (education) and governance mean she is well placed to bring strategic thinking, planning and delivery experience to the role of Deputy Chair of the Board.

Lesley also has a Diploma in Te Reo Māori, a Masters in Public Sector Management, and a Postgraduate Diploma Management & Leadership from Oxford University.