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OUR PEOPLE

Meet the team behind the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Professor Rod McNaughton

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.

Learn more about Rod

Darsel Keane

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.

Natasha Koekemoer

Peter Rachor

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

Judith Marecek

Programme 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.

Learn more about Judith

Matt Broughton

Programme Coordinator

Matthew is passionate about connecting and engaging with students. He strives to enable the creation of new and innovative ideas through Unleash Space and contribute to positive change in society. He is an alumnus of the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Management in Business Specialisation.

Learn more about Matt

Kirsten Beckman

Kirsten Beckman

Velocity Programme Coordinator

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

Naomi Bradshaw

Innovation and Entrepreneurship 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.

Learn more about Naomi

Gemma Bramwell

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Engagement Coordinator

Gemma is an alumnus of The University of Auckland, she graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications and Psychology. Following a year working in the not-for-profit sector she is delighted to return to UOA, joining the CIE team.

Learn more about Gemma

 

Nancy Jones

Executive Assistant

Nancy has a wealth of experience as an executive assistant in the education field, working with CEOs and Boards in both the education consultancy and independent schools fields. She has a passion for connecting with a diverse range of people and enjoys contributing to the company’s growth and development. She is honoured to have worked with a number of industry leaders.

Learn more about Nancy

Sean Kelly

Unleash Space 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

Hayden Moore

Unleash Space Maker Space Coordinator

Hayden is passionate about technology and making things. He has a broad knowledge in many areas including electronics, programming, wood/metalwork and manufacturing. He loves to use his skills on personal projects, startups and helping others bring their ideas to life.

Learn more about Hayden

Professor Rod McNaughton

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.

Learn more about Rod

Darsel Keane

Associate Director – Unleash Space

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s first employee to establish and grow the centre. Previously, Darsel worked at EverEdge IP in intellectual property and commercialisation consulting.

Natasha Koekemoer

Peter Rachor

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

Vanessa

Vanessa Ronan-Pearce

CIE Manager

Outside her role at CIE, Vanessa consults to Objective, supporting startups and SMEs to raise equity. Before moving to NZ in 2020, Vanessa was Director of Strategic Partnerships for Antler Australia, a global early stage VC, and prior to that was 2IC at FinTech Australia where she founded the Intersekt Festival, Finnie Awards and was recognised as a Top 100 Global Women in Fintech.

Learn more about Vanessa

Judith Marecek

Programme 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.

Jessica Schneider

Programme Coordinator

Jessica is an allrounder with extensive experience in consulting, HR, teaching and finance. Having worked in the corporate environment including start-up’s, she understands the opportunities and challenges of the business world. Jessica is looking forward to help advancing CIE programmes while being instrumental in connecting and supporting our students.

Learn more about Jessica

Kirsten Beckman

Kirsten Beckman

Velocity Programme Coordinator

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

Nancy Jones

Executive Assistant

Nancy has a wealth of experience as an executive assistant in the education field, working with CEOs and Boards in both the education consultancy and independent schools fields. She has a passion for connecting with a diverse range of people and enjoys contributing to the company’s growth and development. She is honoured to have worked with a number of industry leaders.

Learn more about Nancy

Naomi Bradshaw

Innovation and Entrepreneurship 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.

Learn more about Naomi

Gemma Bramwell

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Engagement Coordinator

Gemma is an alumnus of The University of Auckland, she graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications and Psychology. Following a year working in the not-for-profit sector she is delighted to return to UOA, joining the CIE team. She is passionate about inspiring others and utilizing her skills to support positive change.

Sean Kelly

Unleash Space 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

Hayden Moore

Unleash Space Maker Space Coordinator

Hayden is passionate about technology and making things. He has a broad knowledge in many areas including electronics, programming, wood/metalwork and manufacturing. He loves to use his skills on personal projects, startups and helping others bring their ideas to life.

Learn more about Hayden

Matt Broughton

Unleash Space Venue Coordinator

Matthew is passionate about connecting and engaging with students. He strives to enable the creation of new and innovative ideas through Unleash Space and contribute to positive change in society. He is an alumnus of the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Management in Business Specialisation.

Learn more about Matt

EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ

PHONE
09 923 4526

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THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
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