When Sarah left for Canada, she wasn’t chasing escape or adventure. She was stepping into the unknown, guided by curiosity more than certainty. What began as a working holiday turned into an inward journey of self-discovery and transformation. Away from the familiar, she learned resilience, compassion, and what authentic leadership can look like in action. Her time abroad revealed not only the challenges of navigating life in a new country but also the quiet strength that comes from staying true to oneself. Returning home, Sarah carried with her more than memories — she brought back a deeper understanding of who she is and what it means to lead with both courage and heart.

When I sat down with Raymond Wong, I was reminded that leadership often speaks softly. Raymond was New Zealand’s first full-time Asian Ethnic Liaison Officer, long before “diversity and inclusion” became policy language. His story is one of humility, empathy, and quiet transformation — a man who spent decades bridging communities and building trust one conversation at a time. From his early days as a teenager adapting to life in Aotearoa to his pioneering work within the New Zealand Police, Raymond embodies what it means to lead through service. His wisdom reminds us that authenticity is not about recognition or rank, but the courage to listen, care, and keep showing up when no one is watching.

What it means to belong to the “1.5 generation” — those who moved to New Zealand as children or teenagers, growing up between cultures and expectations. Bevan Chuang shares her journey from Hong Kong to Aotearoa, navigating identity, language, and the weight of cultural stigma around mental health and queerness. Bevan’s story is one of creativity and resilience — from her work in museums and film festivals to founding Be Love Entertainment, she continues to uplift untold voices and bridge generations through storytelling. Her insight reminds us that leadership begins with empathy and that small acts of courage can ripple outward to create change.

Darryl Bishop MNZM has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing mental health in Aotearoa. A former nurse with a strong social justice background, he led the Like Minds, Like Mine programme and helped establish Mental Health 101, two initiatives that have left a lasting national impact. A champion of peer support, Darryl values authenticity, courage, and community-led solutions, and is widely respected for his integrity, humility, and commitment to reducing stigma and creating meaningful change.

Jordyn Elyse’s story is one of courage, vulnerability, and authenticity. From navigating childhood anxiety and peer pressure to finding strength through travel, study, and motherhood, she has learned to embrace her anxiety rather than see it as something to fix. Her journey led her into suicide prevention and wellbeing mahi, guided by her authenticity and care for others. Even through separation and life’s hardest storms, Jordyn continues to walk forward with honesty, grace, and an unwavering flame.

Guest Blog Post by Jennifer Khan-Janif and Naima Ali

Fair and Ugly

Kula Nesting on a Kowhai Tree
Guest Blog Post By Jennifer Khan- Janif

Kevin Harper doesn’t claim leadership through title or certainty. Instead, he shows up with humility, presence, and a quiet belief in others. For him, leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight—it’s about creating space for others to rise, honouring the journey, and leading with emotional availability. It’s not performance, but presence. Not control, but care.

At Authenticity Studio, we are honoured to celebrate Gary. His life is a testament to the fact that kindness, clarity, and authenticity can bring about systemic change, not through shouting, but through walking steadily, with heart and truth, and inviting others to walk alongside.

We want to tell the stories of people who lead with heart. People who’ve turned their heartbreak into hope. People who understand that the human condition is not a problem to fix, but a story to honour.