ASAN AUNZ

Paula Jessop

She/Her

Why are you nominating for the Board?

I’m nominating for the board because I believe I would bring knowledge and skills of value.

What involvement have you had in Autistic self advocacy?

I’ve been involved with autism self-advocacy for many years in NZ. I was an integral part of guiding Altogether Autism to becoming a more inclusive organisation as their first Autistic advisor, and I’m proud to have played a role in shifting language in the autism sector along with promoting the importance of lived experience knowledge.

Over the years I’ve shifted between various social change roles. In systemic advocacy I tend to be the ‘disrupter’ who shakes up the status quo and at times have acted as a ‘weaver’, connecting and supporting other autistic people embarking on self advocacy in the belief empowering others in our communities to have a ‘voice’ benefits us all. I continue to shift between social change roles and often have an attitude it’s worth trying anything, big or small, to see if it creates change.

What experience on and contributions to other boards and committees have you had?

I’ve experience working on Altogether Autism governance group and a range of advisory groups over the past 15 years. Currently I work on Noku te Ao ropu, and I’m a member of the Autistic Partnership Aotearoa New Zealand.

What are your areas of expertise?

My strengths are a strong ability in strategic thinking and good understanding of the systemic and societal issues for neurodivergent people in a NZ context.

Which of these areas do you have strong skills in that you would apply on the ASAN-AUNZ Board?

  • Governance expertise including experience on Boards and committees and/or leadership roles.
  • Government or stakeholder engagement.
  • Working with vulnerable cohorts.
  • Co-design facilitation and participation.

What else would you like the members of ASAN-AUNZ to know about you? (optional)

I bring knowledge of self advocacy born out of long term experience and at times success in creating change. I have always maintained consistent networking and connecting with autistic and ND communities in NZ and stay grounded in a desire to honestly and genuinely represent what communities express their needs to be.