Meet the team
A/Prof Christina Pollard
Co-director
Christina Pollard is the Director of Mentally Healthy WA, based at Curtin University. Associate Professor Public Health Priorities, she brings her health promotion experience working for Government for over 30 years to the Act Belong Commit campaign. Her research has underpinned development of a diverse range of successful public health interventions from policy and practice at national, state and local levels. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master’s Degree in Public Health, a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, a Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Nutrition and Food Science).
Professor Sharyn Burns
Co-director
Sharyn is a health promotion practitioner and researcher with a specific interest in translational intervention-based research. Her research includes a focus on children, adolescents, young adults and parents in the areas of sexual health, mental health, alcohol & other drugs and obesity prevention. She has a strong background in school-based health promotion research and has expertise in conducting evaluations, in mixed methods research and in implementing health promotion interventions. Sharyn also leads a range of other sexual and mental health-related research projects. Sharyn teaches undergraduate and postgraduate health promotion and public health students as well as supervising PhD, Masters and Honours students.
Hannah Samsa
Campaign Manager
Hannah is a behaviour change communication specialist with a demonstrated history of developing, implementing and evaluating effective behaviour change campaigns. The campaigns she been the strategic lead for have contributed to more parents choosing not to provide alcohol to their teenager, less adults drinking alcohol at harmful levels and increased support for policy and legislation change to reduce harmful drinking and illicit drug use. She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Adv, Mkt), a Graduate Diploma in Health Promotion and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
Rodney Glossop
Acting Campaign Manager/Partnerships Coordinator
Rodney brings a wealth of stakeholder management experience from his 25 years working in Sport, Recreation and Events Industry within the University Sector, and as a Volunteer Event Ambassador and Event Director for parkrun Australia. Having founded two parkrun events in WA; Homestead and UWA, Rodney has a real passion for providing opportunities for the community to interact and engage. Rodney enjoys running, reading and camping, and his ideal weekend is combining all three on a family holiday with his five children.
Reearna Morgan
Schools Program Coordinator
Reearna coordinates the Mentally Healthy Schools Program and supports schools to implement mentally healthy strategies in their school environment. Reearna is experienced in health promotion, mental health and nutrition, previously leading Foodbank WA’s Food Sensations for Schools Program. Reearna’s passion is working with schools, which led her to begin studying a Master of Teaching (Primary) at Edith Cowan University. When Reearna isn’t working or studying, she Act Belong Commit’s by going to the beach with her dog, reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
Kira Hardy
Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Kira has a background working in health promotion in regional Victoria, delivering programs in a number of settings including early learning, schools and workplaces. Kira relocated to Western Australia at the beginning of 2023 and is enjoying forming new social connections. She also enjoys being creative which led her to pursue design and communications. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science and Graduate Certificate of Communication.
Jessica Marmoy
Health Promotion Coordinator
Jessica has a background working in health promotion and brings experience working in schools and the community promoting mental wellbeing and understanding. She has worked developing and delivering specific mental wellbeing programs for high school students and delivering Youth Mental Health First Aid. Jessica has previously worked on the campaign’s Mentally Healthy Schools Program and is very passionate about the message which is evident in her love for gardening, book club, cooking and hiking. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science (Public Health and Psychology).
Thomas Trainer
Partnerships Officer
Thomas assists with the Partnership Program, recruiting and supporting Partners that provide opportunities for the community to act, belong and commit. Thomas has previously worked with the City of Vincent, CERIPH, WAAC, and the Department of Health to support various initiatives that aim to improve the health of the community. He Act Belong Commit’s by going to the gym with friends and rowing at Curtin University Boat Club. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology and Immunology) and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.
Carol Leen Huish
Administrative Support Officer
Carol is the first point of contact when you call or email the Act Belong Commit team. Carol’s friendly and collaborative approach to all communications is founded on decades of volunteer work as Community Activator and her work with diverse stakeholders. With a background in administrative roles spanning various sectors, Carol’s expertise in the provision of comprehensive administrative support to the Act Belong Commit team is closely aligned with her passion to promote mental health & wellbeing in the community.