Dr Julie Wharewera-Mika has extensive experience in the mental health and wellbeing field as a senior clinical psychologist and kaupapa Māori researcher. Julie joined MAS Foundation, as Head of Foundation in a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, after completing a postdoctoral clinical research fellowship with Brain Research NZ. She has held multiple governance and leadership roles and is a current co-Lead of Aotearoa Brain Project leading a Te Tiriti co-governance and co-leadership structure, and was recently appointed a Children’s Commissioner of Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People’s Commission.

Julie is passionate about advancing system transformation to enhance Māori & Pasifika wellbeing, embracing values-based leadership that embodies collaboration and partnerships empowering community-led and whānau-centred approaches.