Hygeia: A Conference on Mental Wellness at the Workplace
Speakers
Meet our speakers
The Hon. Dr Jo Etienne Abela - Minister for Health & Active Ageing
Jo Etienne is a Maltese surgeon and politician. He studied medicine at the University of Malta, furthered his studies in Scotland, and specialised in oesophageal and pancreatic surgery. In 2022, he was elected to Malta's parliament and appointed Minister for Health and Active Ageing.
Prof Andrew Azzopardi - Professor, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
Andrew Azzopardi is a Professor and and former Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing and former Head of the Department of Youth and Community Studies. He was also formerly the Chair of the Platform for Migration and Chair of the Cottonera Resource Centre. His lecturing and research focus on inclusive education, sociology, critical pedagogy, disability politics, youth studies and community development. He has contributed extensively in a number of other lauded journals, and has published various texts on disability politics, young people, and inclusive education. He is a Member of the Editorial Panel of the highly acclaimed International Journal of Inclusive Education, and co-editor of Inclusive communities: A Critical Reader (2012). Azzopardi has also edited Youth: Responding to Lives – An International Reader (2013), co-edited Perspectives on wellbeing – a reader (2019) and also edited societas.expert, amongst others. He is an established broadcaster anchoring a current affairs program on 103 Malta's Heart/newsbook.com.mt
Julian Azzopardi - Founder at Big Brown Eyes Ltd
Former CEO at Up Your Level and Leadership Coach, Julian has worked with numerous C-suite teams and high performing executives. With a focus on purpose, team dynamics and impact, Julian has extensive experience in working with groups and individuals understand better how, where and why they fit (or don’t) in the environments they frequent. With a background in International Relations and Socio-economic development, Julian’s interest in understanding culture, human relations and politics has taken him to the four corners of the world, researching and carrying out voluntary work. The latter, while initiated by imposter syndrome and feeling not quite fitting in, cemented his passion for working with people so that they can experience the best of themselves while they help others. Julian is a recent father of a very lively little girl and four dogs, with whom he spends the majority of his energy.
Karl Bennett - Chair at EAPA, UK
Karl is the Chair of EAPA UK and the Wellbeing Director of Vivup. Karl is well-known and highly respected as an expert within the Employee Assistance sector. Advisingon mental health and wellbeing strategies within the public, private and charity sectors, including the BBC and Great Ormond Street Hospital
Dr Ann Bugeja - Partner at GVZH Associates
Ann heads the employment and private client practices within the firm. She has advised a number of large companies in Malta on non-litigious employment law arising from day-to-day matters and more specific issues such as collective redundancies and protection of employees under the TUPE regulations.
Daniela Calleja Bitar - CEO at the Richmond Foundation
Daniela has been working in the Mental health sector for 23 years. Backed by an MA in mental health studies, she has a passion for patient advocacy, was pivotal to the introduction of Mental Health First Aid in Malta, and is a dedicated leader to a team of over 90 committed professionals.
Roseanne Camilleri - CEO at Mental Health Services
Before her recent appointment as CEO at MHS, Roseanne was the CEO at Primary Health Care for 7 years and before that CEO at Pharmacy of Your Choice for 10 years. Her many academic achievements include an MBA with distinction from Grenoble, a Birmingham University Certified Postgraduate in Hospital Management. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management (UK), of the Royal Society for Health Care (FRSPH) and Associate Dean at Queen Mary University of London (Malta). She served as the statutory Chairperson of St Luke’s Hospital Management Committee, has authored a number of strategic reports and drafted the 2004 National Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan. Roseanne received the Malta Best Health Care Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Award. In December 2020, the Covid 19 Year, she won Health Entrepreneur for the year, the Malta Business Review Chairman's Value Award and the exceptional Lifetime Achievement Award for Health Care. She was conferred with the 2017 Ġieħ San Ġiljan and in December 2021 she was bestowed by the President of Malta with the esteemed National Worker of the Year 2021 Award.
Ray Debattista - Chief People & Change Officer at Bank of Valletta
Ray, with a career at the Bank since 1984, has held key roles in recruitment, employee engagement, and talent management. As CPCO, he develops HR strategies, oversees succession planning, and manages employee relations.
Kenneth Farrugia - Tutor at the Central Mediterranean Business School
Kenneth is deeply committed to sustainability and collaboration. During the last twenty years he was exposed to a variety of professional settings in Malta and abroad, including non-profit NGOs, the military, the public sector, startup companies and corporate global organisations. He has led numerous successful projects, including navigating global teams through tight regulatory deadlines within the pharmaceutical industry. Over the last five years Kenneth has been carrying out research in workplace sustainability with special a focus on human behaviour, workplace evolution and long-term professional effectiveness. This included Malta-based research on workplace burnout, in collaboration with the Central Mediterranean Business School and Infinite Potential, an international organisation led by Occupational Psychologists.
Major (Ret.) Andrew Fox - Research Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society
Andrew served for 16 years in the British Army, completing three tours of Afghanistan and other tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and the Middle East. He was medically retired with PTSD in 2021. He was then a senior lecturer in Behavioural Science at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He holds degrees in Law & Politics, Modern War Studies, and Psychology, and the Henry Jackson Society he specialises in the psychology of disinformation, and the Middle East.
Graeme Hendricks - Clinical Psychologist at the Richmond Foundation
Graeme is a seasoned Clinical Psychologist with over 2 decades of experience in mental health practice. Holding a Master's degree from the University of Cape Town, he has worked in diverse settings, including community-based organisations, private hospitals, and academic institutions. His clinical expertise extends to a wide range of mental health conditions, from chronic psychiatric issues to temporary distress. With a deep understanding of various therapeutic modalities, he has successfully helped individuals navigate their mental health challenges. Currently based in Malta, Graeme works at Richmond Foundation, providing individual therapy, psychoeducation, and support groups. In addition to his clinical work, he is dedicated to advancing the field of mental health by mentoring trainee psychotherapists and counsellors and offering supervision.
Kate Hull Rodgers - Managing Director at HumourUs
Kate is a leading specialist on the subject of humour and how it impacts the workplace. She is an international speaker and pioneer in the field of humour and health. Her work focuses on teams and leaders where enjoyment in employment is encouraged. For over 30 years she has advised governments, health professionals and businesses in 29 countries on 5 continents. Kate is also associate creative director of Stepping Stone Theatre for Mental Health – a multi award winning company which uses theatre and literacy to help destigmatize mental illness. She has been a BBC radio presenter, business journalist, member of the Professional Speakers Association, an award winning comedienne and subject of the television documentary “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. Kate is author of two books, 'Pearls of Bizdom' and 'Pull Your Socks Up' (co-written with her husband), a memoir of her time in mental institutions. Kate is also recipient of the prestigious national title at the UK Mental Health and Well Being awards for The Most Inspirational Story.
Godfrey Kenely - Consultant at the Richmond Foundation
Godfrey is an experienced business management and digital marketing consultant with a diverse skill set in training, research, software solutions, and digital marketing.He has successfully led multiple projects at Richmond Foundation, focusing on research, training, education, and awareness initiatives. His comprehensive expertise enables him to drive organisational growth and foster digital innovation effectively
Dr Natalie Kenely - Senior Lecturer, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
Natalie is a social worker by profession, and worked for a number of years with children and youth in different settings. She is a resident senior lecturer in the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta and served as Head of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work between 2016 and 2020.Natalie has collaborated with Richmond Foundation on research into youth mental health.She has presented her research in conferences both locally and abroad, and has published on topics such as loneliness, resilience, leadership and management, reflective practice and gender equity.
Trudy Kerr - Founder, Host and Producer of The SHE Word Ultra Runner, Traveler and Author
Trudy has extensive experience in communications, media, strategy and marketing, having worked in a number of leadership roles within these areas. She is well versed in all things iGaming, while her previous role saw her occupying the same post, Head of Strategy and Marketing, at iGEN- the iGaming European Network. She also hosts a popular podcast called The Interviewer, where she invites a diverse range of guests who are leaders in their respective fields.
Mariella Marinkovic - Director of HR International at Crane Currency
Mariella is the Human Resources Director for International Operations at Crane Currency. She holds a BSc in Human Resources Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Employment Law. Throughout her career, Mariella has held senior HR roles across various industries at an international level, including manufacturing, FMCG, hospitality, and services. As part of her current role she also oversees Merger and Acquisition activities, ensuring smooth transitions and effective team integration. Her expertise lies in union relations, negotiating and renewing collective agreements, addressing employee development, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Mariella is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion by developing initiatives to attract and retain a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive culture. Committed to employee well-being, she strives to drive positive change within the organisation.
Dr Rachel (Sasha) Taylor-East - Psychiatrist at Malta Mental Health Services, Mount Carmel Hospital, and President of the Maltese Association of Psychiatry
Rachel is a medical doctor, Consultant Psychiatrist who works with adults with acute general mental disorder. She has been working in mental health services since 2007 and completed her postgraduate in Psychiatry with distinction. She is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta. She is an activist at heart, passionate about standards of mental health care, patient rights and reducing stigma.
Dr Ovid Tierean - Senior Advisor at PKF Malta
Ovid advises clients on quantitative and qualitative research. He holds an MSc in Economics and a PhD in Marketing. He taught marketing research and consumer behaviour at various universities in Malta and abroad. His main interests are collective psychology and organisational culture.
Dr Denis Vella Baldacchino - Commissioner for the Promotion of Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders.
A medical doctor by profession, Denis has a diverse and vast experience in patient contact, having spent about 13 years as a doctor working in the Accident and Emergency Department. He read for two Master Degrees in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Medicine respectively and spent nearly one year as Hubert Humphrey Fellow in the United States. He held various administrative roles as Director of Primary Health and as Chief Medical Officer during which tenures he triggered various new initiatives. He served for two terms as Chief Medical Officer before being appointed to his current position.
https://commissionermentalhealth.gov.mt/en/the-department/director-general
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