Dr Tracie Mafile'o is New Zealand-born of Tongan and Pakeha (NZ) heritage. She is a social researcher, who has led research in the Pacific region and published and presented research internationally. She is a Research Professor at Avondale University (NSW, Australia), an Associate Professor in the Massey University School of Social Work (NZ), and one of the directors of Mana Pacific Consultants Ltd. Her research elevates Pacific-Indigenous perspectives and contributions in social work, social services and development. Dr Mafile'o is passionate about community-engaged research and story approaches. More about her research can be found at: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5969-9915. Dr Mafile'o was the research lead for the Rising Stories project, including conceptualising the project, and leading the team, analysis and writing for the project overall.