PwC New Zealand has announced it is expanding its Hauora health sector practice with the appointment of Dr Monique Faleafa as a new Partner to the firm.
Dr Faleafa will lead the Auckland Hauora practice and play a pivotal leadership role in PwC’s National Health Practice, with a particular focus on her specialties of mental health and wellbeing.
PwC formally welcomed Dr Faleafa with a traditional Samoan ava ceremony held at the PwC Auckland office in Commercial Bay on Friday.
Dr Faleafa, who prior to joining PwC, was Chief Executive of Le Va, an organisation which supports Pacific families and communities to unleash their full potential, says she is excited about working with the team on a range of issues.
“We know that New Zealand’s Health and Disability System is facing complex challenges, and there is a critical need to reimagine hauora for kiwis,” Dr Faleafa says.
“My focus is on working together with public and private organisations, to move forward to build sustainable and systemic change.”
Dr Faleafa has served her Pacific communities in the not-for-profit sector, DHBs, academia and in business for over 20 years as a clinician, entrepreneur and businesswoman.
Her local and international experience spans leadership, management, clinical and governance roles.
Partner and head of PwC’s Hauora health and wellbeing practice Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti says PwC is delighted to welcome Dr Faleafa.
“Dr Faleafa is passionate about supporting people and organisations to unleash their full potential and is an advocate for improving equity in health and social outcomes for Pacific Islanders and disadvantaged communities,” Tamati says.
“Her views and values are closely aligned with those of PwC, in particular our Hauora health and wellbeing practice.
“Our Hauora practice works across a range of issues in health and wellbeing, including equity, strategy and leadership, infrastructure, digital health and commissioning.”
Chief Executive Officer Mark Averill has also welcomed Dr Faleafa and says her addition to PwC New Zealand is a highly significant occasion for the organisation, the PwC Pacific Village, and the wider Samoan community.
“PwC New Zealand is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture which enables all our people to thrive, and we focus our diversity efforts on gender and ethnicity," Mark says.
“As a daughter of Samoa from the villages of Lano, Savaii and Fusi, Safata, Dr Faleafa is the first female Samoan and Pacific Island Partner at PwC New Zealand.”