De Backman-Hoyle is the Equally Well Carer Alliance representative and a national contributor with over 15 years of carer lived experience leadership. Since the 1980s, her support journey has revealed health services' segmented approach, categorising loved ones as 'above the neck' or 'below the neck' patients. This disconnect led her to champion Equally Well initiatives.

In recent years, De focused on psychiatry's role in mental health, notably co-designing the inaugural Lived Experience Strategy for RANZCP in 2022-23. As an organisational development practitioner, she integrates best practices into advocacy work, fostering systemic reform. Recognised for fearless engagement, De brings a dynamic voice to committees, inspiring collaboration and action.

These experiences drive De's strategic and reform-focused approach, evident in influential roles on mental health boards and senior advisory committees.