Our Trustees
Marian Johnson
Chair
Marian Johnson is the Chairwoman of Electrify Women Founder Programmes and former CEO of Ministry of Awesome. She led the establishment of Founder Catalyst, NZ's most prolific early-stage startup incubator, Electrify Aotearoa, NZ's first-ever women founders' summit, and Electrify Accelerator, NZ's only women founders' accelerator. She is a member of the inaugural NZ Startup Council and Chair of the NZ HiTech Trust.
Owen Gibson
Trustee
Owen Gibson recently left a 20-year career with PwC where he led the relationship with the Hi-Tech Trust and was a leader of the PwC technology sector group. He has spent his career working with technology businesses at all stages, supporting angel investors and investee companies through to large established technology companies. Having been part of the Hi-Tech awards program for 20 years, he passionately believes in celebrating success in the industry.
David Downs
Trustee
David Downs is the CEO of New Zealand Story, working to enhance New Zealand's reputation beyond natural beauty. He spent 13 years at Microsoft in New Zealand and as regional director for South-East Asia, and has held various roles at NZTE. David is a published author on New Zealand Innovation with three highly successful books – Silver Linings, No.8 Re-wired, and No.8 Recharged – and regularly presents on innovation and optimism.
Mike O'Donnell
Trustee
Mike "MOD" O'Donnell is a professional director, writer and advisor with a focus on where technology, business and consumers meet. He is chair of Garage Project, deputy chair of both New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and global music company Serato, and a director of several tech companies. MOD is an independent weekly business columnist for Stuff Media and host of television show Start Up, and was previously COO of Trade Me.
Sarah Ramsay
Trustee
Sarah is the CEO and co-owner of United Machinists, which manufactures components for Australasia's leading aerospace, medical, marine, defence, and cinematography companies. She is an active angel investor, mentor, and Chartered Professional Director, and was former Chair of Mainland Angel Investors and Startup Dunedin. Sarah is actively involved in industry working groups including Advanced Manufacturing Aotearoa and Callaghan Innovation's Industry 4.0 Network.
Brooke Roberts
Trustee
Brooke Roberts is the co-founder, director and 3EO (co-CEO) of Sharesies, a wealth app with over half a million investors who've collectively invested billions of dollars. At Sharesies, their vision is to give someone with $5 and $5m the same money opportunities. Brooke was co-winner of the 2020 Women of Influence Business award and was awarded the 2022 NZ Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual and NZ Services Entrepreneur of the Year.
Amber Taylor (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Whātua, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi)
Trustee
Amber Taylor is Co-Founder and CEO of ARA Journeys, a SaaS and mobile games company that blends the digital world with te taiao and te ao Māori. Drawing on mātauranga Māori, ARA's award-winning games use AR, MR, XR, and AI to promote connection, education, and exploration. Amber is a business mentor with the NZ Business Mentor Association and NZ Tech Women, and a 2023 Te Hapori Matihiko Innovator Tipu Award recipient.
Sir Ian Taylor (Flying Kiwi Representative)
Trustee
Ian Taylor is well known for his huge impact on the technology sector in New Zealand and abroad. He founded Taylormade Media in 1989 and later established Animations Research Ltd, responsible for the international shift in 3D computer graphic technology. Ian received the Hi-Tech Flying Kiwi Award 2008, was named New Zealander of the Year 2010, and has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Frances Valintine
Trustee
Frances Valintine CNZM is Founder & CEO of academyEX and a passionate educator and technologist dedicated to preparing organisations for the future of work. A Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifetime contribution to education and technology, Frances was inducted into the NZ Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs in 2022. She has received the NZ Flying Kiwi Award, was inducted into the NZ Hi-Tech Hall of Fame, and is author of Future You.
Dr Sam Yu
Trustee
Dr Sam Yu is an entrepreneur with over 20 years' global experience in commercialising technologies and taking innovation from idea to international markets. With a PhD in Bio-NanoTech from Canterbury University, Sam has led commercialisation and partnerships across the US and Asia, working with organisations such as the Mayo Clinic, MIT, Harvard, and A*Star Singapore. He is passionate about supporting New Zealand's high-tech sector to compete on the global stage.
Dr Andrew West
Trustee
Dr Andrew West specialises in investing in and governing high technology start-ups with a green or bio technology focus. He is Managing Director of Synthase Biotech, Chairman of multiple tech companies including Ligar Ltd and Aquafortus Technologies Ltd, and a founding General Partner of the Matū Fund. Over 17 years he was Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, Chief Executive of AgResearch, and led the reform of New Zealand's public science and tertiary education systems.