Chris Houston
Chris's journey has been marked by resilience in the face of adversity, fuelling his commitment to mental health advocacy.
He is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to thrive personally and support others, making a meaningful impact through education and training.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Chris boasts a distinguished 13-year career as a professional sportsman, playing in the NRL for the Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons, as well as in the English Super League for the Widnes Vikings. In these high-pressure environments, Chris honed his leadership skills, serving in leadership groups and captaining each team.
Driven by a passion for personal growth and supporting others, Chris embarked on post-graduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Primary Education. He furthered his knowledge in counselling and mental health, obtaining certifications as a Mental Health First Aid facilitator, Mental Health Response facilitator, and Coach to Cope Facilitator, covering both adult and youth demographics.
Chris Houston is now the CEO of In Minds Training, bringing over 6 years of expertise in guiding clients through complex situations and tailoring mental health strategies. With a focus on workplaces, schools, and community organisations across Australia.
Georgie Tansley
Georgie Tansley is a passionate and creative counsellor and facilitator who believes in the power of connection, communication and embodied relating.
Launching from a base of teaching yoga and meditation, Georgie then pursued learning and developed in the field of psychotherapy. With experience in leadership, group facilitation, counselling, event organisation, youth work and mentoring. Her work has been centred around the support, care and self development of people and the community.
Alex Russell
Associate Professor Alex Russell has a background in experimental psychology and has worked in gambling research since 2011.
He has looked at a range of gambling topics, including how social connection and isolation is associated with gambling and other coping behaviours, including alcohol use. Recent research by his students have explored how different types of loneliness are associated with both prosocial and maladaptive behaviours.
Hans van Pelt
Hans witnessed the fallout from the extreme changes to the airline industry when COVID-19 hit Australia’s shores.
As expected the mental health of many folk in the industry was sorely challenged. Hans was also the Access Director for Tasmania, during the time where destination demand strategies catapulted Tasmania. He therefore can offer a rare perspective of how business impacts individuals and their capacity to cope during worldwide and national crisis and challenges.
This has led Hans to Chair the Friends for Good Australian Loneliness Research Foundation, as he is passionate about loneliness work and outcomes which make such a difference to the lives of so many. Hans has extensive public and private sector leadership experience, including infrastructure, transport and crisis management experience.
Hans was CEO of Launceston Airport, a role that was part of the executive team at Melbourne Airport. Hans has also been an airline CEO and manager. Through Affairs of State and Aerovision Partners Hans is currently a business, board and government advisor as well as an interim CEO.
