Celebrating Kylie Mclean our 2024 Cassandra Laskey Scholarship recipient
Published: December 16, 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we celebrate Kylie McLean, a Real peer youth worker based in Kirikiriroa, who has been awarded this year’s Cassandra Laskey Scholarship. Kylie plans to use this prestigious award to cover her school fees for a Bachelor of Bicultural Social Services at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
Turning challenges into positive change
Kylie is an inspiring example of peer-led lived experience in action, turning her past challenges into a force for positive change. Her journey to recovery has been nothing short of incredible—overcoming addiction and trauma to become a steadfast advocate for others navigating their own challenges.
I do what I do because I’m passionate about it. I was once a lost person, and I want to offer hope to those who feel the same. Pathways has been my whānau mahi, giving me a chance like no one else when no one else would. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
— Kylie
Kylie’s impact beyond Real
In addition to working for Real, Kylie is part of RAW (Reclaim Another Woman), an organisation founded by social entrepreneur Annah Stretton in 2014. RAW’s mission is to break Aotearoa’s cycle of intergenerational offending by fostering hope, purpose, and prosperity—one mother at a time.
Kylie serves on the RAW advisory group (RAG), visiting women’s prisons across New Zealand to bring hope to hard-to-reach places. RAW has been a pillar of support for her, both personally and emotionally.
Kylie’s mahi is deeply rooted in empathy and resilience. She shares her lived experiences to connect with and inspire taiohi and tāngata whai ora, offering manako and showing that, with support and aroha, change is possible.
Through her studies, Kylie aims to deepen her understanding of Māori and Pacific cultural practices and values and to grow as a leader.
This scholarship is more than recognition—it’s a pathway to further impact, enabling Kylie to continue spreading hope. We’re so proud to have her as part of the Pathways whānau, leading by example and showing what peer support truly means.
Honouring Cassandra Laskey
The Pathways Peer Scholarship honours Cassandra Laskey, who sadly passed away in 2021. Cassandra joined the Pathways board in September 2013 and was a much-loved board member until she left in November 2020 to pursue a new life and adventure in Australia.
Alongside her role as a Pathways board member, Cassandra was a highly valued consumer leader with Counties Manukau Health.
Starting out as a peer support specialist in 2006, she moved on to become Professional Leader Peer Support Specialists and later brought together the Consumer and Family Whānau roles to further strengthen collective impact by working together.
Cassandra was also a highly respected and recognised leader for peer support nationally and regionally, with several advisory roles with Te Pou, the Ministry of Health, and the Health Quality and Safety Commission. She was a great friend and mentor to many and believed passionately in the mahi of Pathways.
Looking Ahead to 2025
A big mihi to all the amazing applicants for this year’s scholarship, especially finalists Abbey Appleby (Rotorua) and Ana Tautuhi (Tāmaki Makaurau), whose mahi continues to inspire us.
Stay tuned for details about the 2025 Cassandra Laskey Scholarship. Who will step into the spotlight next year?
