Janell Vaughn

Kia ora koutou

Ko Janell (she/her/ia) ahau. I’m originally from an area of the States known as the Pacific Northwest, with a gorgeous mountain called Kulshan (Mt Baker) and a connection to the Salish Sea through the Nooksack River.  When I moved to Aotearoa in 2014, I found a deep connection with Aoraki and Waianiwaniwa as my river, and Motukiekie as my place on the West Coast of the South Island.   My experience comes first as a youth worker in a variety of community roles before moving into working with adolescent mental health to help young people understand and find a sense of identity in who they are as a whole person.  I’ve trained in mental health and AoD through my master’s degree in social work through the University of Washington and worked alongside indigenous people and communities through my training and beyond. I am a registered clinical social worker and love to support people to find what they need to succeed.

Outside of work, you will find me relaxing by nerding out with board games or DND (Obsession, Frosthaven and Critical Role are favourites), baking macarons or other gluten-free treats, and swimming.