Samantha is a proud Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander woman and draws from her own personal experiences of disadvantage health outcomes to influence and inspire change. She is also Director for her consultancy business Awakening Cultural Ways, focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy and program development in relation to social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and cultural healing frameworks. Samantha is a member of the Queensland Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Advisory Council and Director of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership in Mental Health. Samantha has a strong interest in improving the health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and advocating for trauma informed and cultural designed mental health care. She has been committed to working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and affairs for the past decade.