PESA is the peak association for wellbeing education.

Our mission is to lead, develop, and foster the implementation and development of an evidenced based approach to wellbeing in education.

Our vision is for the science of wellbeing and Positive Psychology to be integrated throughout the education system, enabling all students, schools, and the wider community to flourish. 

PESA advocates and promotes Positive Education to education systems. Positive Education is an approach that weaves the research from Positive Psychology and wellbeing science, into schools. Positive Education teaches young people the skills they need to support and manage their mental health and wellbeing, assisting them to make a successful transition into (and to maintain) a healthy adult lifestyle.

For more information about Positive Education, it's benefits and the research and evidence that support this approach, join our FREE Introduction to Positive Education session that happens every term (see the program for 2023 here) or watch the recording from our last session in T4 2022, presented by David Bott, founder of the Wellbeing Distillery, below.

Strategic Vision

Our Mission is to lead, develop, and foster the implementation and development of the science of wellbeing in education. Read more about our mission, vision and goals in our 2018-2022 Strategic Plan here.

Our History

PESA was formally launched at the 4th Australian Positive Psychology & Wellbeing Conference held at the University of Melbourne in February 2014. Read more about our history here. 

Our Board

PESA's board is a mix of global leading academics within Psychology and Wellbeing, and national leaders from all sectors of education. This makes PESA uniquely placed to assist educators to implement the science of wellbeing in contextually appropriate and effective ways. Read about our board here.

Annual General Meetings

In accordance with our constitution PESA holds Annual General Meetings. To view a record of each AGM, see here.  

Advertising

Advertise with us to reach a targeted audience of schools, school leaders and wellbeing educators interested in evidenced based wellbeing products and services. Read more about our advertising options and rates here. 

OUR TEAM

PESA's team is a mix of global leading academics within Psychology and Wellbeing, and national leaders from all sectors of education. This makes PESA uniquely placed to assist educators to implement the science of wellbeing in contextually appropriate and effective ways.

Professor Lea Waters AM, PhD.
Our Ambassador

Order of Australia recipient, Lea Waters AM, PhD, is a psychologist, researcher, speaker and author. She’s one of the world’s leading experts on Positive Education, Positive Organizations, and Strength-Based Parenting and Teaching. As a University researcher, Lea turns her science into strength-based strategies to help organizations, educators and parents around the world build resilience in their employees and children, helping them to thrive. Lea is the Past President of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) and founding director of the Centre for Positive Psychology (now the Centre for Wellbeing Science) at the University of Melbourne. Lea holds affiliate positions at Cambridge University and the University of Michigan and serves on the Scientific Board at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. She is the author of The Strength Switch. Lea’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and more. Read more about our ambassador here.

Lisa Davias
Our CEO

Lisa Davias is PESA’s third CEO, serving our organisation and the community of PESA members since March 2023. Lisa brings to PESA a breadth of experience in Corporate Management, specifically in People & Culture and Marketing, and is driven by a strong passion for wellbeing and Positive Psychology.

Dr Martin E P Seligman

Dr Martin E.P Seligman
Our Patron

Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman is  a global leading authority in the fields of Positive Psychology, resilience, learned helplessness, depression, optimism and pessimism, and is often credited as the father of Positive Psychology. He is also a recognized authority on interventions that prevent depression, and build strengths and well-being. He is the Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center and Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology in the Penn Department of Psychology. He is also Director of the Penn Master of Applied Positive Psychology program (MAPP). He was President of the American Psychological Association in 1998, during which one of his presidential initiatives was the promotion of Positive Psychology as a field of scientific study. He has written more than 350 scholarly publications and 30 books. Read a message from our Patron here. 

Kim Latcham.
Administration & Accounts

Kim has been working for small businesses in Victoria since 1999, working within these busy environments in accounting tasks and administrative roles. Besides her role at PESA, Kim operates the accounting and administration side of a family run business and is a mother to two children. She holds education & wellbeing in high regard and supports the areas of Positive Education and Wellbeing within all organizations.

Warren Symonds
Our Chair

Warren Symonds is a well-known national thought leader in the field of wellbeing education. He has been a dedicated professional working for the Department for Education in South Australia since 1987. Warren has been recognized for his commitment to educational excellence and has received several awards and honours, including the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards: Teaching Fellow 2010, the 2017 Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) SA Educational Leadership Medal and the ACEL National Fellowship award.
In addition to his role as Principal, Warren's expertise and insights are highly valued in the education community. He serves as a member of the University of Adelaide School of Education Advisory Board, where he helps shape the future of teacher training and pedagogical approaches. Moreover, his position as a director on the Educators SA Board demonstrates his commitment to driving positive change within the education sector and connecting the work of professional associations.
As the PESA Chair, Warren's visionary leadership demonstrates his unwavering commitment to promoting the holistic wellbeing of students and educators alike. Through his work, Warren Symonds exemplifies the ethos of educational stewardship, weaving together a legacy of excellence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the betterment of future generations.

Tanya Deall.
Program & Projects Officer

Tanya has completed a Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology and is passionate about empowering humans to thrive, particularly within the education space. She has experience in the corporate and education system and is excited to be a part of PESA’s story and its invaluable community.