Staff profile: Liudmyla Beraud – CIE Programme Adviser

Liudmyla Beraud

Tell us a little about your background and how you ended up at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).  

Like many careers today, mine has taken a non-linear path, spanning different countries and industries. With a foundation in occupational therapy and education, I’ve devoted much of my career to tertiary education, focusing on mentoring, coaching, teaching, and facilitation. In my previous role, I worked just across the road from CIE as a career consultant with Career Development and Employability Services.

Since joining the University of Auckland, I’ve been impressed by the work CIE does. My curiosity for entrepreneurial careers and the chance to contribute to such an innovative space made applying for this role an exciting opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

What does your job involve?  

This role offers an exciting mix of responsibilities, focused on designing meaningful learning experiences for individuals at all stages of their journey in innovation and entrepreneurship—whether they’re simply curious or fully engaged in building a start-up. A significant part of my work involves supporting the Velocity committee in delivering its challenges and initiatives. And let me tell you, they’ve got an exciting vision for next year, so watch this space!

What is your favourite part of your job?  

What I enjoy most about this role is the variety of interactions I get to have with people. Whether it’s having great conversations about start-up ideas during our drop-ins or communicating with participants in the $100k Challenge, the personal connections make the work fulfilling. Being part of a team that fosters an environment of support and growth adds depth to the experience, and I love contributing to that dynamic atmosphere.

Any words of advice for students and staff at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys?  

As you begin your entrepreneurial journey, you might look to well-known innovators and think there’s a clear recipe to follow. However, it’s important to remember that the success stories we hear are often just that—stories. They tend to gloss over the messier, less glamorous parts of the process. While you can take inspiration and borrow stepping stones from others, your path will still be unique, and you’ll need to find your own way forward. It’s okay if things don’t go as planned—those challenges are part of building something meaningful.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?  

If I could host a dinner party, I’d invite Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Andrew Huberman, and Emilio Ortiz. I’ve been diving into their work and, even though I don’t always agree with all their views, I’ve found their insights incredibly thought-provoking and meaningful. With such diverse perspectives at the table, I think we’d have some fascinating conversations—and a lot of fun along the way!

When you’re not working, what would we find you doing? 

When I’m not working, you’ll often find me getting lost in a good book or browsing library or bookstore shelves. I also love discovering new cafés or revisiting my favourite spots for a cozy brunch—there’s something about a laid-back Sunday brunch that makes the week complete. And when we’re up for an adventure, the Auckland Art Gallery or the museum is always on the list. Watching my daughter light up as she explores and learns is one of the best parts of our outings.