TRC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Professional Programmes, Associate Dean Technology and Director of the GSM
Job Titles:
- Professional Teaching Fellow and Joint Deputy Dean of the Business School
Andrew joined the Faculty in 2014 as a Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Management and International Business. His specialist areas are negotiation, conflict resolution, general management, and teaching and learning. He is in his 19th year working in tertiary education. Andrew has served in various service and leadership capacities including as Associate Dean Faculty and the University's Academic Lead and Programme Board member on QS Future17 - an international sustainable development goals challenge involving multiple universities.
He is the recipient of a QS-Wharton Reimagine Education Award, three University of Auckland Business School teaching excellence awards, and has been invited to share his work on negotiation teaching and integrating virtual reality into business curricula and participate in various forums including at Renmin University of China, Beijing, and Harvard Law School. He has published work on negotiation, employment relations, and teaching and learning in local and international journals.
Outside of the university Andrew has contributed to the education and professional accreditation portfolio of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand. He delivers negotiation seminars, training, and consultation across several contexts, and has advocated on behalf of workers and employers through formal dispute resolution processes.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Arts
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean Equity and Diversity
- Professional Teaching Fellow
Audrea is a Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Management and International Business. She teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across several different subject areas. Audrea's research focuses on adapting new technologies into the Business Education eco-system.
She is on the Business School Equity Committee, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making processes as well as actively involved in Tuākana, the Māori and Pacific Undergraduate Committee, and the Core Oversight Group.
Job Titles:
- Doctoral Research Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Development Manager
- Development Manager, Education and Social Work
Job Titles:
- Director of Faculty Finance
Job Titles:
- Student Development Manager
Brendon leads the Student Development and Engagement team. His role is to work with colleagues across the school and with student clubs to make students' time at university transformative. He leads the team's delivery of seven pillars of the student experience: health and wellbeing, bridge to business, social networks, challenge, personal awareness, service and fun.
Carla is a Professor in the Department of Management and International Business. She is of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu and Pākehā/New Zealand European descent.
Carla joined the Business School as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in 2007 after completing her PhD in Social Psychology at the University of Auckland. Carla has previously held the Directorship of the Dame Mira Szászy Research Centre for Māori and Pacific Economic Development. Prior, Carla was Associate Dean Māori and Pacific Development for the Business School between 2017 and 2019. She held the role of Academic Director for the Business School Tuākana Programme for over six years between 2011 and 2018. Carla also serves on the University of Auckland Māori Business Leaders Awards Steering Committee.
Carla is an award-winning researcher having been awarded a Business School Early Career Research Excellence Award and University of Auckland Group Excellence Award (as part of the NZAVS). Her collaborative research using the Multidimensional Model of Māori identity and Cultural Engagement (MMM-ICE) has been recognised nationally and internationally for advancing ethnic identity research using psychometric measures and large samples. Carla currently leads the largest longitudinal study of Māori identity, financial attitudes and behaviour (Te Rangahau o Te Tuakiri Māori me Ngā Waiaro ā-Pūtea | The Māori Identity and Financial Attitudes Study) for which she received a full standard Marsden.
Outside of the University, Carla is an Academic Adviser for Behavioural Science Aotearoa, a Department of Corrections initiative that applies evidence from social sciences to ensure justice policies and processes are research informed. She also provides education to a wide range of community groups on the impact of implicit bias on Māori in New Zealand particularly in relation to health and education.
Job Titles:
- Research Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Manaaki Mānawa, the Centre for Heart Research
Cecilia Tarrant joined the Business School as Executive-in-Residence in 2010. She brings to the position over 20 years' experience in international banking and finance in San Francisco, New York and London, first as a real estate finance lawyer, then as an investment banker. One of the leaders of the securitisation industry in Europe, she brings to the school a wealth of real-world experience and insight. Cecilia also established the Women's Mentoring Programme, now in its 11th year, which matches female students with women in the business community. In 2021, Cecilia was appointed as Chancellor of the University of Auckland.
Job Titles:
- Industry Engagement Programme Lead
Job Titles:
- Director of Faculty Operations
Danny has had a long involvement with the education, investment and export industries, and has an extensive network of contacts in Asia. He is the Deputy Chairman of Academic Colleges Group Limited, the largest private education group in New Zealand. In 2009, Danny was appointed to the Board of Abano Healthcare Limited, an NZX listed healthcare provider. His other directorships including Flowerzone International Limited, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Limited and Farmers Mutual Group.
Danny was a former director of Everbright Pacific Limited, a subsidiary of one of the largest Chinese government owned conglomerates, China Everbright Limited. He was also a director of Airways Corporation Limited, a state owned air traffic management company and AgResearch Limited, a crown owned scientific research company that specializes in agricultural and biotechnology developments.
Job Titles:
- Founding Director of Landfall Strategy Group
David Skilling is the founding Director of Landfall Strategy Group, a Singapore-based economic advisory firm that provides insights on global economic, political, and policy developments to governments, firms and financial institutions.
David has recently served as Senior Adviser to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand. Prior to founding Landfall Strategy Group in 2011, David was an Associate Principal with McKinsey & Company in Singapore, as well as being a Senior Fellow with the McKinsey Global Institute. Before joining McKinsey, David was the founding Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute, a privately-funded, non-partisan think-tank. Until 2003, David was a Principal Adviser at the New Zealand Treasury, advising on various strategic economic policy issues.
David has a PhD in Public Policy, and a Master in Public Policy degree, from Harvard University, as well as a Master of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Auckland. David was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2008, and was the University of Auckland's inaugural Young Alumnus of the Year in 2006.
David has extensive experience in financial and non-financial boards. He is Deputy Chair of NZ Green Investment Finance, a Director of Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance, a Director of Whai Rawa Fund Ltd, and member of the NZ National Advisory Board on Impact Investing.
David has held leadership positions in various financial service organisations across various cultures and countries including in the United Arab Emirates, as CEO of Rasmala, a regional investment bank, as well as roles in Ireland, Scandinavia, Japan and the Middle East at ABN AMRO. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University.
As Associate Dean she advises on academic programmes including curriculum design and development, and quality assurance. She is responsible for the development and implementation of policies relating to undergraduate recruitment, admissions and enrolment, and academic advisory services for domestic and international students. Susan also chairs the Board of Undergraduate Studies.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean Postgraduate Research
Alan is a Senior Lecturer in Commercial Law, and his main areas of expertise are in Employment Law and Data Privacy. He is also Assistant Dean Postgraduate Research.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Dean / Associate Dean Strategic Projects
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Teaching and Learning
- Professional Teaching Fellow
Doug is a Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Marketing. His research interests fall in the areas of business/marketing education, the first year undergraduate experience, and advertising and marketing communications.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Dean External Engagement
Drew is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing, researching marketing relationship dynamics (and trust, specifically) and the role of emergent technologies in business and marketing practice. Before completing both his Master's and Doctoral degrees at AUT, Drew enjoyed a 12-year career in global business and marketing roles, including sales, marketing and business development responsibilities in the North American, Western European, and developed Asia markets.
Drew enjoys actively engaging with industry and external stakeholders and considers such activities as central to identifying and articulating how best we, as an institution, can contribute to informing business policy and practice.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Auckland Bioengineering Institute and Liggins Institute
Job Titles:
- Head of Initial Teacher Education
Dr Peter Lee teaches the staff of numerous New Zealand companies and government agencies how to increase the revenues and profits from new products as part of the MBA course at the University of Auckland. Companies benefit from analysis and advice for new product and venture investments by involving Peter either as a director, consultant or member of the advisory boards.
Peter has thirty years of commercial experience in senior roles in US business including VP of R&D at International Paper Company for 15 years, and he also serves as Chief Defence Technologist for New Zealand
Job Titles:
- Director of Executive and Professional Development
Rachel is the Business School's Director of Executive and Professional Development.
Ella Zhang joined the Business School in September 2022. She manages stakeholder relationships with government agencies, businesses, iwi and industry bodies. Ella has more than 12 years' experience in international markets, development and stakeholder relationships from both public and private sectors.
Ella has an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities SMEs and regions are facing and is keen to share the University of Auckland Business School's world-leading research expertise and knowledge with Aotearoa New Zealand businesses and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Strategic Donor Relations
Job Titles:
- Independent Advisor, Investment Committee, Sport New Zealand
Eru Lyndon, Independent Advisor, Investment Committee, Sport New Zealand, is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whatua, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Kahu and Ngati Toa descent. As an executive, Eru is the Regional Commissioner for Social Development, Northland, at the Ministry of Social Development, and the also the Public Service Lead for Northland.
Eru also holds a portfolio of governance roles spanning tourism, health, and sport, and has also had governance experience in the tertiary education sector.
Eru holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, an MBA (dist.) and has completed executive programmes at IMD (Lausanne, Switzerland), Stanford and MIT (Boston, USA).
Fady is an inspirational leader, globally successful business creator and one of our alumni. He studied at The University of Auckland and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Engineering. He later went on to found PowerbyProxi as a spin-out from the University of Auckland's world leading wireless power department. The company was acquired by Apple in 2017.
He is an active and involved alumnus of the University of Auckland and regularly participates in the life of the University. With countless hours of advising, mentoring and speaking engagements, Fady has supported the development of the next generation of leaders.
Fady was awarded the University of Auckland's Distinguished Alumni Award and also The Velocity (formerly Spark) Entrepreneur of the Decade Award.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Gift Planning
In addition to the many rewarding and stimulating experiences in fundraising practice since 1997, I have been fortunate enough to be involved with a large number of assignments in providing voluntary mentoring, in conducting postgraduate research, in writing and in public speaking.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Teaching and Learning
Geoff Whitcher joined the Business School as an Executive in Residence in 2018. He brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in business, including stints at Unilever and Fletcher Challenge, and has an extensive relationship with the University of Auckland, which he joined in 2000 as the commercial director of University of Auckland Developments.
Geoff is known as a pioneering legend for his contribution to an innovative and entrepreneurial knowledge economy in New Zealand. He is the founding Director of the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and was the driving force behind a number of initiatives that have impacted the transformation of the Business School, including Spark (now Velocity), Chiasma, the Entrepreneurs' Challenge and the Icehouse.
Geoff is a mentor to many emerging entrepreneurial and business leaders in New Zealand. In 2017 he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager
- Development Manager, Engineering
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Co - Founder
- Technology Executive, Company Board Director and Chair
Greg Cross joined the Business School as our Sir John Logan Campbell Executive-In-Residence in 2013, as champion for the University of Auckland Business School Entrepreneurs' Challenge and chair of its Investment Committee.
Greg is an experienced technology executive, company board director and Chair. Greg is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Office at Soul Machines, a developer of intelligent, emotionally responsive avatars as a user interface for Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms. The University of Auckland spin-out company was founded based on the BabyX technology created by Dr Mark Sagar and his engineering research team at the University's Laboratory for Animate Technologies at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
He is the co-founder of Movac portfolio company PowerByProxi and the Chair of listed technology company SLI Systems. He is also past chair of the business incubator The Icehouse and the NZTE North America Beach Heads programme.
Hone (Te Āti Awa) is the Business School's Kaiārahi. Read more about Hone Thorpe
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, Asia Pacific
Jeanette has held international management and senior executive positions with many world-class companies. She has an extensive background in people experience, transformation & talent strategies and managing major change & international growth programs. Spanning sectors such as automotive, pharmaceutical, fashion, e-commerce, global commodities & financial services, baby accessories, and business consultancy, they include Ford Motor Company, Cargill Inc, Novartis AG, Agile People Ltd, Mexx/Liz Claiborne Inc, Priceline.com, Spark NZ, ASB Bank and Mayborn Group (Tommee Tippee).
Jeanette is currently managing director, Asia Pacific, for Ph.Creative and is also an independent Director, Executive Coach, and business consultant. Jeanette is also an Advisory Board member for Global Angels and the University of Liverpool Management School. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from Loughborough University.
Job Titles:
- One New Zealand 's Chief People Officer
- People Leader
Jodie is One New Zealand's Chief People Officer, having joined the digital services provider in May 2020 from Air New Zealand where she spent seven years playing a key role in further building the company's iconic culture and customer focus, four of those as Chief People Officer.
Jodie is a people leader with a wealth of knowledge in developing a customer centric culture, proven expertise in talent development, and strong commercial acumen.
She is passionate about helping organisations, teams and individuals to reach their full potential in a technology-focused environment, and enabling a better digital future for all New Zealanders.
Prior to returning to Auckland, Jodie worked at KPMG in London for 16 years in both management consulting and in HR leadership roles. She holds a double degree in Commerce (Human Resource Management) and Arts (History) from the University of Otago, holds an Executive Management Qualification from INSEAD and is a member of Global Women. Jodie's whakapapa is Ngai Tahu and has 3 children.
Job Titles:
- Student Development and Engagement Manager
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- Development Manager, Medical and Health Sciences
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- Associate Director, Communications and Alumni Relations
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Science
Kenneth is Professor of Innovation and Research Management and is head of the Department of Management and International Business, the Department of Marketing, and the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management.
Job Titles:
- Academic Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Development
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor in Information Systems
Lesley is an Associate Professor in Information Systems, and her research covers the areas of digital citizenry and computer-mediated learning. She is also Assistant Dean Teaching and Learning.
Job Titles:
- Media and Communications Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Alumni Relations and Development
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Associate Professor of Management and International Business
Maureen is an Associate Professor of Management and International Business in the Business School.
Maureen specialises in international business (particularly in Europe) and strategic management. With teaching and large-scale programme management experience in the UK, Maureen has also held several positions as an international policy adviser, lobbyist and analyst with a major British business organisation. Her current research interests lie in the area of networks in internationalisation strategies and cooperative business strategies in general.
Job Titles:
- Director of Faculty Operations
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- Board Member of Toitū Tahua
- Chairman of the External Reporting Board
Michele is the Chair of the External Reporting Board. She served as the Chair of PwC in New Zealand from 2016 to 2020, a partner for 15 years and held numerous leadership, executive and governance roles within PwC in New Zealand and Asia.
Michele is a Board Member of Toitū Tahua - The Centre for Sustainable Finance, served as Co-Chair of Champions for Change from 2018 to 2020, and was a board member and Deputy Chair of Global Women from 2011 to 2018.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the New Zealand Asia Institute Strategic Advisory Board, Co - Founder, Director and Head of Sales and Marketing of the Augen Software Group
Mitchell Pham joined the Business School as Entrepreneur-in-Residence in 2018. Mitchell is a Vietnamese-Kiwi business and social entrepreneur. He brings to the position extensive experience in information management, software products and services, sales and marketing, international operations, integrated health-disability-social services, strategy development, collaborative partnerships and strategic growth through innovation.
Mitchell is Chairman of the New Zealand Asia Institute Strategic Advisory Board, Co-founder, Director and Head of Sales and Marketing of the Augen Software Group in New Zealand, as well as Chairman and Director of their operation in Vietnam.
Mitchell is actively involved in FinTech, HealthTech and Blockchain, as well as other areas in the tech sector. He serves as Chair of the NZ Technology Industry Association (NZTech) and the NZ Financial Technology Innovation Association (FinTechNZ). Internationally, he is recognised for leadership, as an Asia 21 Fellow of the Asia Society, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Creative Arts and Industries
Job Titles:
- Career Development Manager
Peta leads career activities in the Business School. She works with students, employers and colleagues in the school to achieve her primary goal of supporting students on their journey to securing meaningful graduate employment.
Job Titles:
- Principal of Manurewa High School
Pete Jones is the Principal of Manurewa High School, the largest decile 1 high school in New Zealand with about 2000 students made up of over 50% Pasifika, 25% Maori and a mix of more than 50 nationalities. He is originally from the UK and has a BA from Liverpool University, a PGCE from Birmingham University and an MSc from Manchester Metropolitan University. In 2017 he also completed the University of Auckland Business School NZLI Executive Leadership course.
Pete came to NZ in 2006 and restarted his teaching career at Manurewa High School as a Health and PE teacher. In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Principal and then Principal in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Postgraduate Research
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- Professor of Macroeconomics
Prasanna is Professor of Macroeconomics and is head of the Department of Economics, the Department Accounting and Finance, and the Department of Property.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Manager
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- Business Leader and Investor
Randy Komisar is a prominent business leader and investor, holding many significant roles including Senior Counsel for Apple Computer, Co-founder of Claris, Founding Director of TiVo, and General Partner at Kleiner Perkins.
Randy is a lecturer on entrepreneurship at Stanford University, and the author of four books about entrepreneurship.
Randy has been contributing to the New Zealand entrepreneurial ecosystem for several years, including as a Special Advisor to the government's venture capital provider NZGCP (formally NZVIF), on the Board of Advisors for Movac, and a Strategic Advisor to Vector.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of Contact Energy Limited
Rob McDonald's finance career spans over 35 years, having worked overseas before joining Coopers and Lybrand in the corporate advisory and valuations practice in 1985. He joined Air New Zealand in 1993 and left in 2018 after 13 years as CFO.
Rob is Chair of Contact Energy Limited and is a director of Fletcher Building, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and Sovereign Assurance Company Limited. He is a former board member of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc. and former vice chairman of the IATA Financial Committee.
Rob has a Bachelor of Commerce from Auckland University and in 1999 completed the Program of Management Development at Harvard Business School. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fellow of the New Zealand Initiative
Roger Partridge is chairman and a Senior Fellow of The New Zealand Initiative, the think tank supported by CEOs of a majority of New Zealand's largest companies.
He led law firm Bell Gully as executive chairman from 2007 to 2014 and was a partner of the firm for 24 years. He was executive director of the Legal Research Foundation, a charitable foundation associated with the University of Auckland, from 2001 to 2009, a member of the Council of the New Zealand Law Society, the governing body of the legal profession in New Zealand, from 2011 to 2015 and is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Alumni Relations Engagement Adviser
Job Titles:
- Development Manager, Business School
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Pacific
- Professional Teaching Fellow
Sione is a Professional Teaching Fellow in the Department of Accounting and Finance, where his passion for teaching has been recognised with Teaching Excellence Awards. He is also active in programmes designed to help Pacific and Māori students succeed at the University. Outside of the University, Sione has used his accounting skills to help a number of small businesses, church and community groups. He has significant networks amongst the Pacific community in New Zealand and around the Pacific region.
Sione is a former Chairman at the New Zealand Tonga Business Council and remains a board member. He is a frequent commentator and contributor on the Pacific Media Network regarding Pacific economic and political issues. Sione has an unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of Pacific students and professionals.
Job Titles:
- Professor of International Business
Snejina is Professor of International Business in the Department of Management and International Business. She earned her PhD degree from Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, in 1997.
Snejina's main research areas are international business, management and knowledge management, and her academic work has appeared in the prime journals of all three disciplines. She has previously chaired the departmental research committee and PhD committee. She is also a member of the Council of Cross-Cultural Competence and Management, a European research organisation headquartered in Vienna.
Job Titles:
- Technical Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean Academic Programmes and International
- Member of the Business School 's Senior Management Team
Before joining the University of Auckland, Susan worked as a staff solicitor and associate in two city law firms. In 2020, she was elected president of the Society of Corporate Law Academics (SCoLa), the first President for the Association elected from outside Australia where it is primarily based.
At the heart of Susan's research is a desire to understand how the corporate form - how it developed, why it is so successful, and the economic and societal impact of corporations. She believes that economic growth and profit must be rebalanced so that we prioritise the wellbeing of our people and planet.
Susan is a member of the Business School's Senior Management Team, and has served on the Faculty Staffing Committee since 1998.
Job Titles:
- Director of Faculty Finance
Job Titles:
- Career Development Adviser
Tamsin delivers career development activities in the Business School. Her primary goal is to support students on their journey to securing meaningful graduate employment. Tamsin works one-on-one with students, guiding and facilitating their career development through career discussions, interview practice, and CV and cover letter checks. She also works with Peta to deliver a full suite of career-related events and workshops throughout the year, including the Passport to Business programme.
Tom Peters first gained worldwide attention with his ground-breaking 1982 bestseller In Search of Excellence, co-written with Robert Waterman, and today is acknowledged as one of the 100 most influential figures in modern business. He continues to be in constant demand for lectures and seminars and in 2017 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Thinkers50.
Tom studied civil engineering at Cornell University (BCE, MCE), followed by an MBA and PhD in business at Stanford, and spent his early career in the US Navy, at the White House, and at McKinsey & Company, where he became a partner before leaving to set up his own consulting practice. Sixteen books and 35 years later, he has been instrumental in shaping management thinking through his work as a consultant, writer, columnist and public speaker.
Uili is responsible for supporting Māori and Pacific students during their study at the Business School, ensuring a supportive and social environment that focuses on student development and engagement to equip them for meaningful employment. Uili supports both Māori and Pacific student commerce associations, Te Mana Pakihi and Commerce 'o Pasifika. He also works with employers who are interested in engaging with Māori and Pacific business students.
Vanessa Sorenson was appointed GM of Microsoft New Zealand in February 2020. A passionate advocate for Aotearoa, Vanessa is responsible for ensuring Microsoft empowers all its customers and partners to achieve more. Vanessa joined Microsoft in October 2017, after more than two decades at Spark, New Zealand's largest telco.
In her first role at Microsoft as Director of Enterprise, Sorenson was tasked with driving business growth, forging strong relationships, managing Microsoft's large Enterprise sales team and working closely with partners and key stakeholders.
Even with decades of tech experience, Vanessa doesn't consider herself a ‘classic techie' - rather, she is driven by what technology can do for all New Zealanders. She is a noted champion of diversity and inclusion across the ICT industry, encouraging change, fostering diversity and inclusion, driven by the belief that D&I is not optional but essential. Having carved out an extraordinary career that has included both wins and losses, Sorenson has committed herself to a lifetime of actively mentoring other businesswomen to become the best they can be.
Outside of work, Vanessa is passionate about education, championing equal access to technology for all children and encouraging girls to embrace STEM.
Job Titles:
- Alumni Relations Engagement Adviser