Louise van Herwerden, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and public health nutritionist specialising in youth nutrition and participatory research. Her work explores food literacy development in secondary schools. She leads national initiatives to enhance holistic care with youth, through innovative methodologies, including photovoice and community-based cooking programs.

Vicky Xu is a Clinical Psychology Registrar and Research Associate passionate about supporting diverse youth. She has broad clinical experience in public health, not-for-profits, and psychological consultancies. Her research spans developmental and social psychology, mental health policy, intellectual disability, emotion regulation, schema therapy, and leadership coaching.

Fiona is a passionate youth advocate with a strong commitment to improving health equity and amplifying young people’s voices in decision-making spaces. With experience spanning research, health promotion, and community initiatives, Fiona works towards healthier, more inclusive communities through evidence informed solutions that are co-designed with young people. Fiona is particularly passionate about mental and digital health, preventative care, and cultural safety, and they believe that meaningful change happens when young people and decision makers work in genuine partnership to reimagine systems together. As Youth Co-Convenor, Fiona is excited to create a collaborative environment centred on peer leadership, curiosity and intergenerational dialogue.

Kristina La, a third year Mechanical Engineering student at UNSW. Growing up in Western Sydney, and a diverse community has shaped my strong commitment to equity, wellbeing, and advocacy. My interest in youth health lies in the cross section of engineering, care, and lived experience. Alongside my engineering studies, I hold a Certificate III in Assistance in Nursing, which has deepened my understanding of health, and the importance of accessible and well designed initiatives. I aspire to become a systems engineer who contributes to community-centred solutions in biomedical devices. Community advocacy has always been my motivation. One of my proudest achievements was founding a Pride group at my high school, creating a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ students, this is something I had never seen growing up in Western Sydney. Currently, as an Industry Executive with Robogals UNSW, I help deliver free STEM workshops to girls and schools in disadvantaged areas. I hope through community led initiatives I can invoke confidence, wellbeing, and future opportunities to others that are lacking the resources.

Mariah Issa is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Research Assistant at the University of Sydney with a focus on public health nutrition. Her work explores how digital modalities can be leveraged to improve health outcomes among young people.

Aislinn Lenehan is a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics student at the University of Sydney and is passionate about improving adolescent nutrition. She aims to inspire health professionals and stakeholders to adopt innovative communication strategies that resonate with young Australian.

Finlay Robinson is a student at the Australian National University studying a Bachelors of Psychology (Honours). He has been working on the Schoolyard Greenprint project in the University of Canberra Health Research Institute since the start of 2025. Within the Greenprint he leads the Greenprint Youth Voices.

Dr Cristyn Davies is a Senior Research Fellow in the Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health at the University of Sydney Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School. Cristyn has expertise in vaccination for young people, gender, sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and knowledge translation and implementation science.