Our People
We’re a team of experienced social innovation and systems strategists, entrepreneurs and mental wellbeing experts. We’re empathetic, impatient for change, curious, and courageous. We’re bound by our shared desire to improve our systems for wellbeing innovation.
Do you believe in our kaupapa and want to join the team? Let us know how you could make an impact with us: kiaora@emberinnovations.nz
Ember innovations team
SAMIR HOSSAIN
Relationship Manager
Samir is a Dhaka University graduate in medicine. He kicked off his career as a Psychiatry faculty member and consultant in Bangladesh. He is known for his global contributions to death anxiety research. Samir has collaborated on trauma research with US and UK professionals, and published with esteemed bodies like the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London.
After relocating to New Zealand with his family to pursue public health studies and with a degree from AUT, Samir is actively engaged in non-governmental initiatives to drive systemic change in mental health in Aotearoa.
He's fueled by a passion for well-being innovation, change management, project planning, analytical thinking, and expressing his insights through writing.
Emily Preston
Innovation Lead
Oku tupuna no Ingarangi, no Kōtirana, no Āwherika
I whānau mai au i Ingarangi
Kei Tāmaki Makaurau ahau e noho ana
Originally from Lymm in Northern England, Emily wound her way to Tāmaki Makaurau via York, London, Melbourne and Ōtautahi and found home here with her partner and two children. She has spent the past two decades working in social innovation, social enterprise development and non-profit consulting roles, with a focus on education and wellbeing. Emily also holds governance and advisory roles within the health and wellbeing space.
Emily loves to look at complex issues from different angles, listen to the human stories and experiences behind statistics, and explore what might be possible. She is endlessly curious and loves a good yarn, as well as a logic model or system map. Emily is passionate about ensuring the voices of those most impacted by challenges are central to the development of solutions.
Ember Group
Board Members
Ember Innovations is an entity within Ember Korowai Takitini, one of Aotearoa’s leading mental health NGOs. As part of this Group we have access to decades of experience in designing and delivering quality mental wellbeing and addiction recovery support services.
Ember Korowai Takitini was founded in 2019 when leading mental health organisations Connect Supporting Recovery and Framework Trust merged. Ember leadership identified the need for more innovation and a wider source of solutions for mental wellbeing beyond government funded services. To support this action the Ember Wellbeing Trust seeded Ember Innovations.
We share the vision of Ember Korowai Takitini:
An Aotearoa where all people are supported to be who and what they want to be. A society that better understands and responds to mental distress, addiction and intellectual disability.
learn more about our kaupapa
