Tag: design

Creative Welly Episode #32 | Michelle Kitney & Rob Cousins

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Michelle Kitney, Chief Executive at Volunteering New Zealand

Michelle Kitney lead’s Volunteering New Zealand. Originally from Taranaki, she lives in Te whanganui a tara with her three boys and husband.

Volunteering New Zealand is the national umbrella organisation for volunteers and volunteering. It’s purpose is to empower volunteers to enrich Aotearoa New Zealand.

Michelle has a background in communications, marketing, social enterprise and not for profit experience. She has also worked in the public sector in New Zealand and the UK. She says she volunteered her way into her current job. Gaining relevant experience through a variety of volunteering roles.

She cooks and plays Floorball in her spare time.

Rob Cousins, Innovation Manager

Being honest, I’m a jack of all trades and master of none, who often seems to land on my feet, and somehow finds a way to make a difference with the people I meet. After a mediocre degree in Psychology, I worked in insurance and risk management in the UK, whilst pursuing hobbies that were both uninsurable and risky in many other parts of the world. Instead of a career, I’ve followed opportunities as they’ve arisen, and as I’ve pursued various different interests.

All of this has taught me that they key to most challenges is people, their experience, being curious and caring. Right now I am bringing this to how health and safety is understood, and how we might regulate that, from WorkSafeNZ. Shifting away from paperwork, compliance and rules. Moving towards caring about people, creating improvement, and giving people power over the things that affect them.

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Creative Welly Episode #29 | Emilie Fetscher & James Bushell

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Emilie Fetscher, Entrepreneur / Designer / Researcher, GM Design @ Xero

Need zest? Meet Emilie. Deeply curious, passionately collaborative, and inspired by the people and world we live in; Emilie brings a diverse background and relentless optimism to all her endeavors. She’s worked in and out of design as an outdoor guide, a freelancer, in a boutique consultancy, as well as starting tech and non-tech businesses before taking the plunge into the large global team that is Xero. Outside of her day job she contributes to the startup ecosystem, mentoring programs for young women, and as a lurker in environmental communities. She’s also an outdoor enthusiast and lover of great dinner table conversations with old friends and new.

James Bushell, Director / Investor / Strategist, MOTIF

James Bushell is the founding director of MOTIF, a specialist business advisory for organisations that want to create a more equitable and sustainable world. He is a leading strategist in incorporating ethics and sustainability into commercial models and has had governance and executive experience in developing, emerging and developed economies. James is also an author and recently released a book called HUMANGOOD – a field guide to ethical leadership.

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Creative Welly Episode #27 | Negin Imani & Derek Bradley

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Dr Negin Imani

Negin is a lecturer in Architectural and Building Science, founder of Biomimicry NZ, representing New Zealand in the Biomimicry Institute global network, and a Visiting Scholar at the School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand since 2020.

Negin’s research is focused on sustainable architecture and biomimetic energy efficient building design. She is the first post-doctoral researcher at the VUW school of architecture. Her research investigates possibilities to develop living building modules. She has co-authored the book “Heating with Wolves, Cooling with Cacti”.

As a recipient of the National Science Challenge, Science for Technological Innovation, Seed Project grant, Negin is working as the Principle Investigator of the project, Biomimetic Buildings for Climate Change Adaptation: Future Generation of Facades.

Derek Bradley, CEO, A44 Games

Derek Bradley is the CEO of A44 Games an independent games studio based in Wellington, New Zealand. He was the Game Director on ASHEN, the company’s first title, which was released world-wide at the Annual Game Awards in 2018.

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Creative Welly Episode #23 | Samantha Gadd & Phyo Thu

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Samantha Gadd, Passionate about all things business and employee experience, Founder / Director of Humankind and EX Design School

I am a super proud mum of three boys, business founder and EX enthusiast. I am obsessed with business, leadership, growth, brand and all things people in business.

I have recently launched EX Design School, having just stepped away from my CEO role at Humankind after nearly 10 years. EX Design School is an online programme and community with global ambitions, looking to transform how business leaders and HR practitioners design awesome employee experiences. I’m excited to learn about how to build a product and global community, alongside putting my business experience to the next test!

Phyo Thu, eMotion Maker, Founder and Creative Director of Fox & Co

After nearly a decade of experience in motion design and visual effects, I started my animation studio, Fox & Co Design, to fuel my passion for storytelling through animation and unite a subculture of like-minded creatives with the same enthusiasm. I’ve been fortunate to have built a talented team that shares my vision, and together, we continue to create inspiring visuals.

Virtual production is becoming a leading trend to constant evolutions in the animation industry – I’m excited to see how we can leverage all the emerging technology to push our boundaries and take our creativity to the next level!

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Creative Welly Episode #22 | Jane Guy & Brian Lucid

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Jane Guy, Women’s Business coach, blogger and podcaster.

I’m Jane waving, a UK born citizen of Aotearoa. I am a lover of connecting with people and the sparks that that creates. After 20 years, I have worked with high risk young people and families in both England and New Zealand. A variety of non-profit organisations who specialise in Family and Sexual Violence, Mental Health and young peoples sexual health.

I then launched a blogging and podcasting business and 2021 I now have a womens coaching and programme business where we create safe spaces for women to learn about business online. And I also have a four year old (hardest job in the world).

Brian Lucid, Professor of Interaction Design / Head of School, Ngā Pae Māhutonga / Wellington School of Design

Brian Lucid is a designer and educator whose creative practise is centred upon conceptualising and implementing tools that facilitate creativity and decision-making.

Today, Brian consults on some of the world’s most popular cloud-based online services. His clients include U.S. government agencies, Fortune 500 technology companies, global consumer product manufacturers, cultural institutions, and emerging start-ups.

Brian leads Ngā Pae Māhutonga, the Wellington School of Design at Massey University. He oversees a 135-year-old research-led comprehensive design programme that ranks in the world’s top 100 Art and Design schools. Ngā Pae Māhutonga’s research and curriculum are concentrated upon the impact­ful application of design to uplift people and planet, with an emphasis placed on critically examining the complex problems facing Aotearoa.

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Creative Welly Episode #16 | Natasha Zimmerman & Ben Preston

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Natasha Zimmerman, Meaning Maker

Natasha is the founder and creative force behind Unchatter, an organisation focused on bringing meaningful connection to the world. She creates spaces where small talk is banned and an array of thoughtfully curated exercises get participants to dig deep.

Natasha’s fab accent will tell you from the US, where she was a healthcare executive before coming to NZ to pursue her PhD at the University of Canterbury. Her current research is centered on belonging and connection in organisations, and she loves finding the juicy intersection of science, humanism, and practical application.

When she’s not engaged in a deep conversation, you’ll find Natasha getting lost in a good book, looking at the moon, organizing things for fun, and baking ridiculous cakes. She’s an old soul, an introvert, and a poetry zealot. Natasha lives in Christchurch with her joy-givers: her partner Hassan and her baby boy Bodhi.

Ben Preston, Independent Creative Consultant + Project Director at MOTIF

As an engineering technologist and regenerative practitioner, Ben supports revitalisation of the life-giving patterning in social, environmental and economic systems in business and place-based design.

This involves placing living, ecological processes of environments and cultures at the core of project team operations, engaging new forms of collaboration, procurement and design that are inclusive and holistic, and re-integrating individuals and groups in the re-patterning processes of their surroundings.

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Creative Welly Episode #15 | Queen Olivia & Pat Shepherd

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Queen Olivia, Meta Drag Queen

Named one of New Zealand’s 10 most Iconic Drag Queens.

On Twitter simulating life on Space Station 1 in geosynchronous orbit about Wellington, NZ with their trusty pussy cat Cuddle Unit 5.

A regular at Rainbow Story Times. (also known as drag queen story time) in libraries across the Wellington region.

Featured in internationally renowned GayTM campaign for ANZ NZ, and modelled for Höpt Soda’s Nön Usual campaign, running nationwide, online, busses, and billboards.

Currently in collaboration modelling for Dave Roil of Hand Sewn Atelier, photo shoots for London Pacific Fashion week, and NZ photographers Tink Lockett, and Bern Stock.

Pat Shepherd – Chief Doer of Things at One Percent Collective

Pat Shepherd is a photographer, graphic designer and founder of NZ-based charity One Percent Collective. He loves making things better through creativity. He’s been doing that for years through his work with SpinningTop on the Thai/Burma border with refugee and migrant children and more recently through One Percent Collective and The Generosity Journal they produce.

One Percent Collective is a super simple concept. Over the past 8 years, almost 700 donors have collectively raised over $2 million dollars for Kiwi-based causes by giving just 1% of their income.

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Creative Welly Episode #14 | Audrea Topps Harjo & Alex Matthews

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Audrea Topps Harjo – COO at A44 Games & Founder of InclusionFX

Audrea Topps Harjo has worked in the entertainment industry for over twenty-five years.

She has worked for Sony Pictures (CONTACT) Rhythm and Hues, Electronic Arts, WETA Digital (RISE OF THE PLANETS OF THE APES), James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment (AVATAR SEQUELS). She produced three independent films (SECRETS, ALL IN, THE AVAILABLE WIFE). She served as Mind & Machine’s VFX Producer on Ridley Scott’s (RAISED BY WOLVES).

She is currently COO at A44 Games and founder of InclusionFX, which is a platform designed to support and amplify underrepresented voices in the VFX for features, television and games industries in Wellington, NZ.

Alex Matthews – Xequals CEO

Alex is a Wellington business person and ‘serial entrepreneur’ with businesses in digital production, web/app development, gaming, and heavily engaged in the innovation sector.

An avid futurist focused on emerging technologies and social trends, Alex is passionate about discussing the future of society and how we can best shape it towards a world we all want to live in.

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Creative Welly Episode #13 | Mayu Suzuki & Trent Yeo

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Mayu Suzuki – Petite Queen Bee of mariri New Zealand / JFW organiser

Mayu is a bridge between Japan and New Zealand – or at least that’s my goal! During the day I am a Mānuka honey expert gifting New Zealand Taonga to Japanese customers on e-commerce, I also organise one of the biggest cultural events “Japan Festival Wellington”.

As a Japanese-Kiwi, I am passionate about culture and identity issues. My mission is to connect Japan and New Zealand in all business, culture, sports and all sectors.

Trent Yeo – Loves team sports

Trent is Executive Director of Ziptrek Ecotours in Queenstown. Ziptrek is an adventure ecotourism zipline business that utilises the power of adventure to help create meaningful memories of place.

Ziptrek is a long time communicator about The Natural Step and now a Future-Fit Pioneer. Ziptrek’s business model assists tens of thousands of guests to learn about sustainability.

Trent is also an ex TEDx event organiser, once produced an online vodcast about NZ for China travellers, represents on board of Tourism Industry Aotearoa and co-starter of Startup Queenstown Lakes.

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Creative Welly Episode #9 | Janelle (Jay) Fenwick & Tom Probert

Courageous conversations with bold humans (from the most creative little capital in the world).

Janelle (Jay) Fenwick, Founder – Teulo CPD Education Platform 

Janelle Fenwick is an incredibly passionate, high-achieving entrepreneur, mother and founder of the architectural brainchild Teulo.

She began her career in insurance, but with a background in the arts, it wasn’t long until creativity changed her trajectory. With a reputation for seeing the world through a lens of endless possibilities and more than 15 years experience working in positions ranging from business development to National Sales Manager, Janelle thrives in the start-up space and has embraced innovation and technology with every step of her exceptional career.

Teulo is the perfect fusion of Janelle’s two creative loves – design and businesses – and since launching, the online digital / webinar platform has continued to grow, challenging the status quo and raising the technology bar on CPD learning while filling the communications gap between architects, designers and builders to ultimately evolve the industry towards our digital futures.

Tom Probert, Head of Marketing and Innovation – Powershop

Now in his third stint in Welly, Tom returned from the UK in 2016 to head up Sales, Marketing and Design at Powershop.

After a short stint as Head of Marketing at Contact Energy in 2019 he returned to Powershop to continue the fight to disrupt the energy category.

His diverse career to date has spanned Sales, Marketing and Product Development across everything from Chocolate, Toothpaste and Ice Cream to Plumbing, Drainage and Electricity.

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