About Thrive Elevate

Hi! Welcome to Thrive Elevate! 

My background is rooted in public relations and strategic communications, where I have spent over 20 years working across corporate crisis training, media management, and stakeholder engagement. I have worked in Kuala Lumpur, spent a decade in Beijing, and worked at reputable organisations such as Hill+Knowlton Strategies and the World Gold Council. I have also partnered with regional and international brands across diverse industries, particularly in corporate social responsibility (CSR), further shaping the structured and intentional approach I bring to current practice in mental health — with discipline at its core. 

I currently work with Band of Gorilla, an 80-person organisation in the total marketing solutions space, providing internal mental health support and wellbeing guidance at the workplace level, and facilitating internal leadership and capability-building workshops. 

As an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer (ID: 57815) and mental health practitioner, I bring the same discipline and structure from corporate communications into mental health learning — designing experiences that are purposeful, relevant, and rooted in real-world understanding. I founded Thrive Elevate to bridge those worlds: a platform that unites professionals, educators, and changemakers through structured dialogue and applied learning.

At Thrive Elevate, I focus on real, often under-addressed conversations — the kind that rarely make it into polished panels or curated campaigns. My work is grounded in lived experience, informed by professional insight, and anchored in human realities. In particular, I advocate for more honest, responsible dialogue around adoption, sexual assault, and the experiences of youth who are often under-supported or overlooked, with the aim of bringing clarity, dignity, and practical understanding to issues that are frequently simplified or avoided. 

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication (Public Relations and Journalism) from Curtin University, Western Australia, and a Master’s degree in Counselling from Open University Malaysia, with both my practicum and research anchored at Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS).

Beyond Thrive Elevate, I volunteer as a youth counsellor at Jireh Home (Tuaran) and  serve as an officer with St. John Ambulance (Kawasan Pantai Barat Selatan Atas, Sabah), focusing on community-based education and public awareness, with the aim of positioning first aid as a fundamental life skill rather than a specialised competency. I'm also an avid stand-up paddleboarder, an activity I enjoy at least once a week.

I believe this platform is not just about programmes — it’s a living space where expertise meets purpose, and where collaboration becomes a form of collective care. Whether you’re a speaker, partner, or professional exploring new intersections of mental health and leadership, you’re not just welcome — you’re needed here.

Henri Chok is a dedicated professional in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and Mental Health sectors, drawing on both professional training and Lived Experience in addiction, mental health challenges, and incarceration. Based in Perth, WA, Henri is an NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider and peer support worker who uses his personal journey to advocate for and walk alongside individuals facing similar struggles, helping them regain independence and access essential resources.

Committed to bridging the gap between lived experience and professional care, Henri empowers others to rebuild their lives with dignity and opportunity — often through community-based support and grassroots movements. He often returns to Kota Kinabalu — a place he still calls home — to visit friends and family, and is keen to contribute to the grassroots efforts Thrive Elevate is building across the region.

Henri also serves as an Lived Experience advisor to Thrive Elevate, offering insights drawn from both his frontline work and his grounding in Australia’s more mature and structured mental health landscape. His perspective continues to shape the platform’s direction, particularly in strengthening our approach to lived experience integration and meaningful social dialogue. As a trusted voice, Henri’s contributions behind the scenes are deeply valued.