Meet Leila Esmailzada, Multicultural Engagement Lead at Health Consumers’ Council WA (HCCWA).

Leila works to strengthen connections between culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities and the Western Australian healthcare system, helping ensure the voices and lived experiences of migrants, refugees and multicultural communities are heard and considered in healthcare discussions and policy development.

With a master’s degree in public health, a background in anthropology and experience working with multicultural communities in Australia and internationally, Leila brings professional knowledge and personal insight to her role.

As a first-generation Afghan American, Leila understands the experiences of settlement, cultural identity and finding your voice in a new community. Her work is driven by a commitment to health equity, community participation and making healthcare more accessible for everyone.

We asked Leila about her journey, what inspires her and what making healthcare fair for all means to her.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from New York, USA. I have a Bachelors in Anthropology, and a master’s in public health. I have a passion to understand and celebrate people’s journeys in life. I am especially invested in elevating the voices of the underserved and most vulnerable. I have worked internationally in Madagascar, New York, and Australia across the non-profit and private industry. My desire to connect with CaLD communities, refugees, and migrants, is driven by my own lived experience as a first generation Afghan American. Having lived a similar settlement journey with my own family makes my work personal and special. I believe that a strong community can help you overcome almost any challenge, which is why I strive to bring people together; a collective voice is a strong voice.

When did you join the team?

September 2026

What attracted you to HCCWA?

I was attracted to HCCWA’s mission of equitable health for all.

What excites you most about your new role?

I am excited to continue to work with the CaLD communities in WA to amplify their voices, encourage consideration of their lived experiences in policy development and overall awareness.

What were you doing before joining HCCWA?

Before joining HCCWA, I was working at MercyCare’s Multicultural Services Team. I worked with CaLD individuals, migrants, and refugees to help them understand their rights inemployment and provide overall wrap-around support while they become settled in WA.

What’s been the highlight of your first few weeks?

Meeting the team and getting to know HCCWA

What’s something you’ve already learned about HCCWA?

We are the only provider of free individual health advocacy in Australia – wow!

What part of the role are you most excited about?

Being able to hear community needs at a grassroots level and find ways to amplify their voices through HCCWA’s networks and reputation.

What does ‘Let’s make healthcare fair for all’ mean to you

“Fair” does not always mean equal, but that people are given the opportunity to reach the same preferrable outcome- a healthy and happy life. I think equitable healthcare comes down to accessibility.

What’s your go-to coffee order?

Oat milk long mach topped up

Favourite place in Western Australia?

Pemberton, WA

What’s something that always makes you smile?

Seeing the wildflowers and waterfalls in August

People would be surprised to know that I…

studied archaeology and did a Mayan excavation in Belize!

Connecting multicultural communities with healthcare in WA

At Health Consumers’ Council WA, we believe people from all cultural and language backgrounds should have opportunities to share their healthcare experiences, participate in decisions and help shape the services that affect their lives.

Through multicultural engagement and consumer participation, HCCWA works to strengthen connections between communities, health services and decision-makers.

Interested in learning more about HCCWA’s work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, or finding opportunities to contribute your experiences to healthcare discussions?

Explore our work, learn about consumer engagement opportunities or get in touch with the HCCWA team.