Michelle Barry is a child health promotion leader whose work centres on amplifying the voices of children and young people, particularly those high‑priority health population communities. Educated at University College Dublin, Michelle’s career has taken her across Australia, Hong Kong, and the NSW South Coast, where she has developed strong expertise in child‑led practice, inclusive program design and advocating for play for the health and well-being of all children. Michelle’s early work in the Northern Territory supporting children in statutory out‑of‑home care shaped her commitment to ensuring that young people’s lived experiences drive decision‑making in health and wellbeing initiatives. She now leads the Active In-Betweens program at Healthy Cities Australia, providing accessible active play and healthy eating opportunities for primary‑school‑aged children in priority population areas, and Play Illawarra, which activates community play spaces through engaging community play events for all ages and abilities and digital campaigns. Michelle recently completed Play Australia’s Playwork training program adding to Bachelor of Social Science with focus on child development. Known for her creativity, adaptability, and relationship‑centred approach, she brings a deep understanding of children’s voice, community engagement, and the critical role of play in children’s health and development.