Laura Dawson
My purpose is to make a meaningful impact. In my General Manager role with Christchurch’s Economic Development Agency (ChristchurchNZ)—a long-term partner of Canterbury Tech—I have built deep expertise, strong networks, and practical experience across governance, strategy, and innovation. I would like to bring these capabilities to the Canterbury Tech Board to help accelerate sector growth, strengthen collaboration, and continue to position Canterbury as a leading technology hub.
What specific expertise can you bring to Canterbury Tech Board?
My early career was focused on developing IT Strategies for central government, this expanded into organisation and city strategies in multiple countries. I bring extensive governance and strategic leadership experience across finance, technology, sustainability, marketing, and strategic planning, developed through senior roles with the Project Management Institute, Inland Revenue (Wellington), Tourism Western Australia (Perth), and the NZ Singapore Business Council (Singapore). I am equally comfortable in hands-on roles, including delivering for membership-based organisations where I was accountable for major initiatives such as organising a flagship conference critical to the organisation’s financial sustainability.
What do you see are the top three opportunities to advancing the tech sector in Canterbury?
Christchurch is a leading hub for technology innovation, with significant growth potential in aerospace and future transport, health technology, clean tech, and sustainable solutions. To accelerate this growth, the city must:
- Strengthen sector connectivity.
- Nurture and expand innovation hubs.
- Deepen collaboration with tertiary institutions to build a robust talent pipeline. These strategic priorities will position Christchurch as a globally competitive tech ecosystem, driving high-value jobs, investment, and sustainable economic growth.
What would be your first point of action/suggestion on the Board if you were to be elected?
If elected, I would focus on continued growth of sustainable revenue streams (memberships and Summit) to ensure Canterbury Tech can continue to thrive, support the Board with connections to explore strategic opportunities for Christchurch’s tech sector, and look for ways to strengthen connections with tertiary institutions.
