OUR PEOPLE
Meet the team behind the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Darsel Keane
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.
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.
Judith Marecek
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.
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.
Dr. Marissa Kaloga
Hynds Lecturer of Entrepreneurship
Marissa’s applied, transdisciplinary research and teaching focus on the roles of social innovation and social entrepreneurship in the transition to a more just and sustainable world. She brings over a decade of global research and practice experience to her work, drawing from prior roles including Lecturer in Social and Community Work at University of Otago, Director of STARlab (Systems Transformation Action Research Lab), Fulbright Scholar to Guinea, West Africa in financial inclusion and entrepreneurial ecosystems, and Director of Innovation at the Economic and Community Development Institute, a leading microfinance organisation in the US.
Sandy Lin
CIE Programme Manager
Sandy is passionate about creating experiences that inspire learning and growth. She has an engineering background and has worked in a range of roles, dedicated to supporting student learning, fostering researcher skills development, and enhancing the doctoral experience. She enjoys helping others to flourish and realise their aspirations.
Nova Jackson
CIE Programme Adviser
Fusing a career backstage in performing arts with her current business studies, and as a former Unleash Kaihangarau Auaha Creative Technologist Nova is dedicated to problem-solving, creativity, and sustainability. With her background in event management and design, Nova is a familiar face across various CIE programmes and events.
Maru Maxwell
CIE Programme Coordinator
Maru is an AUT graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, having majored in Japanese and Spanish. Passionate about diversity and creativity, Maru makes an oath to build positive, meaningful, long-lasting connections. With a background in supporting international and Māori students at AUT, she is skilled at encouraging growth and empowering the next generation.
Sean Kelly
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.
Naomi Bradshaw
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.
Jean Bayron
Jorela Romero
CIE Operations Coordinator
Jorela is a passionate problem-solver with a penchant for anything nice and creative. She has worked as an administrative support and has also been an accredited real estate property consultant and broker support. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll find Jorela organising, tidying up, and enjoying a cup of good coffee. She is always up for a good laugh and a great adventure.
Yaqi Zhang
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.
Guy Bate
Academic Programme Director
Guy is currently a Lecturer in Technology Commercialisation & Strategy at the University of Auckland. Prior to entering academia, he worked for nearly 20 years in the pharmaceutical, health technology and biotechnology industries, leading strategy, new product planning, business transformation, and commercial operations.
Ken Erskine
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.
Deborah Shepherd
CIE Entrepreneurial Fellow
Deb is part-time Senior Lecturer at the University, designing and delivering some of CIE’s programmes that support innovators and early-stage start-up founders. She also has roles as a board member, advisor, investor, educator and business owner, including a board role with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), New Zealand’s international business development agency. Deb is also Advisor to the New Zealand Government’s Minister of Small Business, and Chair of Soul Capital, a social impact investment firm.
Duncan Ledwith
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.
Elisabeth Vaneveld
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.
Craig Squire
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.
Anna St. George
Researcher Hatchery Manager
Anna has worked across sectors from Spark to Les Mills International, to start-ups to her own. From bedding to health, from B2B, performance-based models to brand building – there isn’t a lot she hasn’t covered including working deals with Google, building business cases, influencing App roadmaps and working in the trenches. She has delivered multiple commercialisation projects, with a consumer, communications and purpose driven lens.
Liudmyla Beraud
CIE Programme Adviser
With a background in career coaching, adult education, and occupational therapy, Liudmyla is dedicated to fostering lifelong learning and innovation. She has a keen interest in group coaching, facilitation, and community development, aiming to create transformative experiences for individuals and groups. Having lived in four different countries, Liudmyla values open, honest conversations and enjoys building meaningful connections.
Yifan Li
CIE Engagement Adviser
Yifan has worked in marketing for several industries. He is passionate about helping and supporting students, striving to create opportunities and resources for their growth. In his free time, Yifan enjoys cooking, playing with his dog, and has a love for indoor plants.
Darsel Keane
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.
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.
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
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.
Sandy Lin
CIE Programme Manager
Sandy is passionate about creating experiences that inspire learning and growth. She has an engineering background and has worked in a range of roles, dedicated to supporting student learning, fostering researcher skills development, and enhancing the doctoral experience. She enjoys helping others to flourish and realise their aspirations.
Yifan Li
CIE Engagement Adviser
Yifan has over 8 years of experience working in marketing for several industries. He is passionate about helping and supporting students, striving to create opportunities and resources for their growth. In his free time, Yifan enjoys cooking, playing with his dog, and has a love for indoor plants.
Nova Jackson
CIE Programme Adviser
Fusing a career backstage in performing arts with her current business studies, and as a former Unleash Kaihangarau Auaha Creative Technologist Nova is dedicated to problem-solving, creativity, and sustainability. With her background in event management and design, Nova is a familiar face across various CIE programmes and events.
Maru Maxwell
CIE Programme Coordinator
Maru is an AUT graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, having majored in Japanese and Spanish. Passionate about diversity and creativity, Maru makes an oath to build positive, meaningful, long-lasting connections. With a background in supporting international and Māori students at AUT, she is skilled at encouraging growth and empowering the next generation.
Sean Kelly
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.
Naomi Bradshaw
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.
Jean Bayron
Jorela Romero
CIE Operations Coordinator
Jorela is a passionate problem-solver with a penchant for anything nice and creative. She has worked as an administrative support and has also been an accredited real estate property consultant and broker support. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll find Jorela organising, tidying up, and enjoying a cup of good coffee. She is always up for a good laugh and a great adventure.
Yaqi Zhang
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.
Guy Bate
Academic Programme Director
Guy is currently a Lecturer in Technology Commercialisation & Strategy at the University of Auckland. Prior to entering academia, he worked for nearly 20 years in the pharmaceutical, health technology and biotechnology industries, leading strategy, new product planning, business transformation, and commercial operations.
Ken Erskine
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.
Deborah Shepherd
CIE Entrepreneurial Fellow
Deb is part-time Senior Lecturer at the University, designing and delivering some of CIE’s programmes that support innovators and early-stage start-up founders. She also has roles as a board member, advisor, investor, educator and business owner, including a board role with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), New Zealand’s international business development agency. Deb is also Advisor to the New Zealand Government’s Minister of Small Business, and Chair of Soul Capital, a social impact investment firm.
Duncan Ledwith
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.
Elisabeth Vaneveld
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.
Craig Squire
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.
Anna St. George
Researcher Hatchery Manager
Anna has worked across sectors from Spark to Les Mills International, to start-ups to her own. From bedding to health, from B2B, performance-based models to brand building – there isn’t a lot she hasn’t covered including working deals with Google, building business cases, influencing App roadmaps and working in the trenches. She has delivered multiple commercialisation projects, with a consumer, communications and purpose driven lens.
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
