Debbie Sorensen CCT,CMInstD
Debbie is a New Zealand-born Tongan, with family connections to Leimatu’a in Vava’u and Tongaleleka in Ha’apai. She is a health leader, international development practitioner, health strategist and management expert specialising in projects that address the health challenges that face Pacific communities in New Zealand and in the Pacific region. She is the current Chief Executive for the Pasifika Medical Association and the Pacific Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency – Pasifika Futures which has engaged over 202,000 Pacific people in Aotearoa through its partner network of over 60 partners.
Debbie has led the establishment of the Moana Pasifika Women’s Network, the Pasifika Medical Association Education Fund, Health Science STEM Academy at Otahuhu College. She is sought after as an international speaker including at the UN Gender Equality Forum in 2021. She also attended the Harvard Women’s Leadership Summit and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Strategic Leadership for the 21st Century.
In 2015 Debbie was invested as a Commander Royal Order Crown of Tonga, by His Majesty King Tupou VI in recognition of her services to the people of Tonga.