Vanessa Cooper

Vanessa Cooper is a seasoned professional in mental health and workplace wellbeing, currently serving as the Principal Advisor for Mentally Healthy Work at WorkSafe New Zealand since October 2020. In this role, Vanessa develops guidance for businesses to manage psychosocial risks effectively. Vanessa's prior experience includes serving as a Senior Advisor for the Mental Health Promotion Agency, where focus was on national mental health strategies, and as a Senior Advisor in Tobacco Control, devising smokefree initiatives. Additional roles span engagement in occupational health at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, advisory work at the Mental Health Commission, and health promotion with the Mental Health Foundation. Vanessa holds a Masters in Health Sciences focused on mental health intervention design and an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Auckland. Currently, Vanessa is also a member of the Foundational Steering Committee for Workplace Wellbeing Professionals Aotearoa.