Building care that feels like a warm hug at Mindplace: Jenna’s story

Jenna Halls has been with Bupa for nearly 18 years. In that time, she’s led teams across multiple parts of the business — from frontline practice roles to project work to national leadership. She’s guided high performing groups, championed professional development, and helped shape supportive, people-first cultures wherever she’s worked.

“My biggest passion is leading high-performing teams and creating cultures where people can do their best work.”

She’s seen the business grow, and she’s grown with it, through moments of change, challenge, and personal reflection. Over nearly two decades, Bupa has remained a constant. A place where she’s felt supported, encouraged, and able to bring her whole self to work.

“I’ve been at Bupa for nearly 18 years, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve grown here, personally and professionally, through some of the hardest times in my life.”

“I’ve been through a marriage, a divorce, the loss of my mum… and I’ve always felt supported. I used our EAP when I needed it. It’s something I genuinely encourage my team to use now.”

Those experiences have shaped the kind of leader she is today, someone who leads with empathy, builds strong, values-driven teams, and creates cultures where people feel safe to be themselves and do their best work.

It’s this deep connection to people and purpose that made the opportunity at Mindplace feel like the natural next step.
“I lost my mum to mental illness, and it just made me stop and re-evaluate – what am I doing, what do I want to achieve, how do I want to show up for my daughter, and what do I want to show up for?”

Creating a new kind of care

Mindplace is Bupa’s new mental healthcare and wellbeing business, designed to be more welcoming, more accessible, and more human. It’s not just about treatment, it’s about creating a better experience from the moment someone walks in.

“Mental illness is not a place or a time, it’s a state, it’s a crisis, and it’s really hard to navigate.”

“Mental health doesn’t wait. The sooner someone gets the right kind of care, the better. I want Mindplace to be that door that’s easy to walk through.”

“I want Mindplace to be a space where it’s okay to walk in and say, ‘I need help.’ I don’t want it to feel clinical or sterile, I want it to feel accessible, warm and welcoming.” She often describes her vision for Mindplace as something that should feel like a warm hug.

A career built on care

Jenna’s career at Bupa started in frontline roles. Over time, she moved into leadership, project work and eventually a National Operatons Manager. Through it all, she says the culture of care has been constant and she’s excited to bring that culture into what we are building with Mindplace.

“When the opportunity to join Mindplace came up, it just felt like a really natural progression of what I’m passionate about, making sure that people who need to get access to this sort of care, they can.”

“We’re building something meaningful. A culture. A legacy. A new kind of care that puts purpose at the centre.”

“It’s a space where culture is everything. It’s how we treat people, how we work together, how we support each other. That’s what makes the difference.”

Why she’s still with us

So, what keeps someone like Jenna, who’s grown and evolved through nearly two decades – still excited?

“This is the most energised I’ve ever felt.”

Jenna lights up when she talks about Mindplace. It’s more than just a new chapter for her, it’s the culmination of everything she’s learned, experienced, and cared about throughout her time at Bupa.

The excitement comes from being able to apply her skills and purpose to a space that matters deeply to her, where culture, care, and purpose can truly change lives. 

She smiles as she talks about it and it’s clear that this next chapter means more than just a new role. It’s something deeply personal and purposeful.

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