OUR PEOPLE
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
PHONE
09 923 4526
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
