Staff profile: Kimberley Ansell – CIE Manager

Kimberley Ansell – CIE Manager

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

I’ve followed a wonderfully varied career path, driven by curiosity and a passion for work that creates impact. A long-standing interest in technology and innovation has woven through diverse roles – from the ski industry to HR across the military, government, and private sectors, and into senior leadership.

Most recently, I was General Manager of Te Hono, an inspiring role where I worked with Chief Executives of global exporters, iwi, and government leaders to build meaningful relationships, uncover opportunities, and learn from some of the world’s best minds – including Stanford academics and Silicon Valley leaders.

A consistent thread throughout has been connecting people, building capability, and striving for social and commercial impact. My role at CIE brings all of that together. I love the energy, ideas, and innovation that come from working with students and staff at the University of Auckland – and helping unleash potential through our incredible programmes.

What does your job involve? 

My role is a dynamic mix of strategy and hands-on delivery. I see myself as the bridge between CIE’s ambitious goals – shaped by our Director, Darsel Keane – and turning those into clear, actionable steps for our team to bring to life. That means helping to translate vision into reality, and navigating the natural peaks and troughs of our busy calendar year.

I support the team through challenges, look for ways to accelerate how we work – whether that’s through smarter use of technology, streamlining processes, or improving how we deliver – and still love being on the ground for events, pack-in, pack-out, and everything in between.

Relationships are a big part of the role too – not just within the team, but across the University, with sponsors, and our wider network of external stakeholders.

What is your favourite part of your job? 

I love connecting with people and solving problems – which works well in a place like CIE, where entrepreneurial thinking is central to everything we do. I get a real buzz out of helping the team navigate challenges, find clarity, and keep moving forward.

There’s something deeply satisfying about making things work better – not just for efficiency’s sake, but because it gives us more space to focus on what really matters: supporting students, amplifying their ideas, and continuing to grow programmes that are relevant, inspiring, and impactful.

What are some highlights from your time with CIE so far? 

I’ve really loved my time at CIE so far – and even though I’m only five months in, it’s already been incredibly rewarding. We have a fantastic team, a suite of inspiring programmes, and the impact they make is genuinely transformational – not just for individuals, but for the communities and industries they go on to influence.

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

Just get going – the time is now! You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. Take small steps, stay curious, and back yourself. The magic happens when you begin.

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

I’d love to have dinner with a mix of fascinating people – someone cerebral, someone funny, someone artistic, and someone who can cook (because food is life!). So perhaps: Yuval Noah Harari (historian and thinker), Robin Williams (late comedian and actor), Iris Apfel (style icon and designer), and Heston Blumenthal (innovative chef).

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

Spending time adventuring with my partner and our two wee boys, Archer (3) and Sam (18 months). We love getting outdoors – whether it’s mountain biking, skiing, beach days, or fitting in a bit of yoga when I can.