Join Us as a Lived Experience Champion

Are you someone with a lived experience of mental distress, drug and other substance use, recovery, or navigating systems, and feel a calling to create change?

Authenticity Studio is building a pool of Lived Experience Champions — individuals who bring heart, honesty, and insight to the table. This is a voluntary role, but it's far from symbolic. Your voice matters. If an organisation invites us to consult or co-design, I will ensure that everyone involved is acknowledged through Koha or appropriate compensation.

Whether you’re familiar with this work or completely new to it, you’re welcome. If you're starting out, I’ll walk alongside you. I’m committed to offering guidance, support, and sharing what I’ve learned over the years — not because I have to, but because this is the kind of community I believe in.

If you're curious or ready to explore what this might look like, please reach out. To do so, email admin@authenticitystudio.co.nz with the subject line "Lived Experience Champion."

Let’s build something honest, strong, and grounded — together.

Eva Chen MNZM

Eva Chen MNZM came to New Zealand as a 17-year-old international student. From those early days navigating life in a new country, Eva’s journey has been one of growth, purpose, and service. Starting as a PR representative at SkyKiwi in 2010, she went on to found the Chinese Wellbeing Charitable Trust, driven by her desire to support Chinese mothers who, like her, faced the challenges of migration without culturally appropriate support.

Since then, Eva has continued to make a meaningful impact. She has served as a SKIP Champion, been elected to Auckland Council’s Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel, contributed to the Royal Commission’s Ministerial Advisory Group following the Christchurch mosque attacks, and is a respected voice within the Tauiwi Caucus.

In 2024, she was awarded the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in recognition of her outstanding service to the Asian community. You can read the full list of honours here.

To learn more about Eva’s professional background, visit her LinkedIn profile.

Interview with Eva Chen MNZM – Podcast: Click here to listen
Read the Full Story – Blog Post: Click here to read