Kay Thomas has spent the last 30 years working in the education field, having taught in multicultural schools, including four years at Kelston Girls and 11 years as Deputy Principal of Mount Roskill Grammar. She has enjoyed teaching at multicultural schools because of the rewarding relationships she developed with young people and their families.

In 2004, while studying post graduate qualifications, she found out her son had committed suicide. After working with him for many years, through his depression and alcoholism, and receiving counselling, she had to deal with the consequences of this.

She used her own personal circumstance to work with young people who were suffering from suicide ideation, and learnt a lot around how different cultures deal with the loss of loved ones, and the pros and cons of each.

Currently she is involved in voluntary work in New Lynn, and is exploring local politics.