Mental Health Coordinating Council is delighted to welcome Giancarlo de Vera, CEO of BEING – Mental Health Consumers, as the newest member of our Board of Directors.

Giancarlo is a proud queer, non-binary, intersectional leader with disability, from a culturally and racially marginalised background. They bring over two decades of experience across international human rights, development and diplomacy, public policy, law reform, advocacy, and social services.

Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of BEING – Mental Health Consumers, the NSW peak body for mental health consumers and people with lived experience of psychosocial disability, Giancarlo leads a team dedicated to amplifying consumer voices and driving systemic reform.

In addition to their executive leadership, Giancarlo has held numerous governance and advisory roles across community, legal, and government sectors — including positions as Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director on various boards, committees, and panels.

Giancarlo has been recognised by Pro Bono Australia in their Impact 25, a publicly voted list of Australians making the most social impact in Australia and abroad, and as one of the 40 under 40 most influential Asian Australians.

Their appointment to Mental Health Coordinating Council’s Board signals a continued commitment to elevating lived expertise and intersectional leadership in mental health reform and community care.

Mental Health Coordinating Council’s CEO, Dr Evelyne Tadros, says, “We look forward to future collaborations with Giancarlo on our Board, as we work together to build a stronger community-managed mental health sector.”