OUR PEOPLE

CIE Director

Darsel has previously worked at the Icehouse and EverEdge IP in intellectual property and commercialisation consulting. Her PhD examines how to measure an entrepreneurial mindset. Darsel has been foundational in establishing programmes at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and in building Unleash Space from the ground up.

Learn more about Darsel

Academic Director

Rod is a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland Business School. He has extensive experience developing entrepreneurial ecosystems and helping start-ups launch and grow. An internationally-recognised thought leader on entrepreneurship issues, Rod’s scholarly research is published in more than 100 refereed journal articles and books.

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CIE Manager

Judith has held a variety of digital and traditional marketing roles in the publishing industry in New Zealand. She has worked in events at the Parliament House of Australia in Canberra and the Irish Management Institute in Dublin.

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CIE Programme Adviser

Kirsten enjoys enabling people to grow their ideas and discover their capabilities, while pushing the boundaries of what they think is possible. She thrives in a creative environment with passionate people and has a depth of knowledge in training, administration, and hospitality.

Learn more about Kirsten

CIE Technology and Prototyping Manager

Sean is passionate about cultivating a new technological culture that brings together and encourages entrepreneurs and makers alike. A graduate of International Studies from Deakin University and a former tradesman Sean transitioned to the tech sector in the U.S. by working as a Technologist at the successful and unique technology space, Do Space.

Learn more about Sean

CIE Engagement Manager

Naomi is passionate about community development and enabling the potential of others. She has previously held marketing and communication roles at the University of Auckland and Ministry of Social Development and an economic development role with the K Road Business Association.

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CIE Hub & Operations Manager

Jean has worked at the UoA Faculty of Medical Health Sciences (FMHS) as a Technical Manager supporting teaching delivery and overseeing operations management for a few years before moving to CIE. She enjoys working on operational and process improvements, administration and collaboration. She is a forward-thinking professional interested in innovation and its transformative power and has been consistently driven by pursuing creative solutions to various problems. 

CIE Hub Coordinator

Yaqi is a recent graduate of the University of Auckland Law School, bringing a strong foundation in law coupled with an academic background in sociology and economics from previous studies. Her passion lies in youth development and coordinating inspiring activities to foster growth and empowerment. Yaqi’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through in her desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.

Venture Lab Manager

Ken is a seasoned mentor, investor, and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in the New Zealand and international start-up ecosystems. He has successfully mentored hundreds of Kiwi businesses, guiding them from seed ideas to successful global companies.

CIE Entrepreneurial Fellow

Deb combines a variety of roles all of which have entrepreneurial SMEs and social enterprises at the centre, as well as being a part-time Senior Lecturer at the Business School. She has been involved as a faculty member in the student-led entrepreneurship programme Velocity (previously Spark) since 2004.

Researcher Hatchery Manager

Elisabeth is a strategist, leader and facilitator working in New Zealand’s creative sector. Her experience includes establishing start-up organisations, designing programmes, devising productions, managing tours, organising festivals, activating projects, developing partnerships, building networks and facilitating change.

Researcher Hatchery Manager

Craig has been involved in the Auckland tech start-up community since joining Ice Angels in 2011. With many years of engaging with complex science and potential customers and investors, Craig’s experience helps founders and early-stage investors move forward with confidence. Ensuring that the big questions have been asked and answered and a clear path to market (where identified) is able to be articulated.

CIE Director

Darsel has previously worked at the Icehouse and EverEdge IP in intellectual property and commercialisation consulting. Her PhD examines how to measure an entrepreneurial mindset. Darsel has been foundational in establishing programmes at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and in building Unleash Space from the ground up.

Learn more about Darsel

Hynds Entrepreneurial Teaching Fellow

As our Hynds Fellow, Peter focuses on integrating entrepreneurship across curricular courses and programmes throughout the University. With a lifelong passion for innovation and global opportunities, he has co-founded three companies, taught at 3 US academic institutions, developed learning modules for university and community-based entrepreneurship initiatives, and lived on four continents.

Learn more about Peter

CIE Programme Adviser

Kirsten enjoys enabling people to grow their ideas and discover their capabilities, while pushing the boundaries of what they think is possible. She thrives in a creative environment with passionate people and has a depth of knowledge in training, administration, and hospitality.

Learn more about Kirsten

CIE Technology and Prototyping Manager

Sean is passionate about cultivating a new technological culture that brings together and encourages entrepreneurs and makers alike. A graduate of International Studies from Deakin University and a former tradesman Sean transitioned to the tech sector in the U.S. by working as a Technologist at the successful and unique technology space, Do Space.

Learn more about Sean

CIE Engagement Adviser

Having graduated from the University of Cambridge with a MSt degree in Entrepreneurship, Nina is passionate about spreading the entrepreneurial spirit. She has an academic background in communications and international business, led a copywriting agency and has previously held engagement and comms roles at Cambridge Hub and Enactus Cambridge, championing entrepreneurship and social action amongst students.

CIE Hub Coordinator

Yaqi is a recent graduate of the University of Auckland Law School, bringing a strong foundation in law coupled with an academic background in sociology and economics from previous studies. Her passion lies in youth development and coordinating inspiring activities to foster growth and empowerment. Yaqi’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through in her desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.

Venture Lab Manager

Ken is a seasoned mentor, investor, and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in the New Zealand and international start-up ecosystems. He has successfully mentored hundreds of Kiwi businesses, guiding them from seed ideas to successful global companies.

Venture Lab and Researcher Hatchery Manager

Since moving to New Zealand from Scotland in 2005 Duncan has been a driving force in the local start-up ecosystem through mentorship, education, investment, and more. He is widely recognised as a leading expert in market validation and has been involved in the Icehouse and CIE from the very start.

Researcher Hatchery Manager

Craig has been involved in the Auckland tech start-up community since joining Ice Angels in 2011. With many years of engaging with complex science and potential customers and investors, Craig’s experience helps founders and early-stage investors move forward with confidence. Ensuring that the big questions have been asked and answered and a clear path to market (where identified) is able to be articulated.