The Board is elected annually, usually at the end of each year. We are unashamedly a group of volunteers trying to make things happen in our tech community. While we have great support from our team, the board all still have day jobs, so the more ideas, volunteers and feedback we get, the better. The 2024 Board members are listed below.
As the Co-Founder and CEO of Publica, a thought-led brand and digital agency based in Ōtautahi, Michelle is dedicated to positioning Ōtautahi as a cornerstone in New Zealand’s tech landscape, attracting top talent to its vibrant community. Over the past 15 years, Michelle has led a dedicated team of 25 professionals at Publica, overseeing diverse projects in branding, website and app development, strategic marketing, and digital communications.
With a background in finance and accounting, combined with a passion for innovation, Michelle has shaped a leadership style that prioritizes people and fosters a collaborative environment. She believes that meaningful connections and understanding clients’ unique stories are essential for success. Constantly exploring emerging trends, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of crypto and blockchain, Michelle ensures that Publica stays ahead of the curve.
Michelle’s leadership approach centers on building a community of professionals who are not only delivering solutions but also contributing to the narrative of their clients’ success. Guided by the belief that numbers tell stories, she is dedicated to helping clients articulate their achievements through meaningful relationships and impactful storytelling.
An accomplished technology leader and product innovator with extensive experience driving future-focused solutions in SaaS, cloud, and emerging technologies.
Currently serving as Product Manager – Future Technology at Spark New Zealand and a Board Member at Canterbury Tech, I am passionate about shaping strategic innovation, high performance culture and fostering industry growth. Growing up in Christchurch I am passionate about the growth of our region and proud of our tech sector. I’m keen to help grow more of our ecosystem and inspire more people into technology careers.
Matthew has thirty years of financial and business experience gained in the chartered accountancy and commercial fields in both New Zealand and Australia, across a variety of industries and organisational structures. During this time, he has had wide exposure to various disciplines including business advisory services, management accounting, and taxation.
While he provides services to clients in a variety of industries, he has a particular interest in software, technology and start-up companies.
After a decade abroad in England and Sweden, Danielle and young family found their way to Christchurch in 2010, witnessing the city’s resilience, growth and transformation. Her journey spans diverse experiences in nascent technologies, FMCG, and lived farming experience – accumulating almost two decades of international expertise in business and partnerships.
Danielle’s tech background includes hardware and software development for mobile networks, devices, protocol stacks, and applications like gaming, e-learning, and e-commerce. Currently immersed in SaaS tools for e-learning and VC funding pitch work, she is passionate about the Board creating an environment that supports and inspires the healthy growth of Canterbury Tech community.
Danielle believes in leveraging our unique qualities of care, creativity, and resilience forged in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes to elevate the technology sector and contribute positively to Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s entire society.
Board member since 2024
Bringing over 25 years of rich experience in the tech industry, Andy has a background in AI, and Agritech. In 2011 he moved to Christchurch from Edinburgh (where he studied AI in the 90s). He has been contributed to the local tech landscape at companies like Jade Software and Onside and is currently Solutions Architect at Alliance Group. Andy is known for passionate communication skills, evident in his public speaking and active involvement in the tech community. Andy enjoys coaching, exploring new tech and acting as a bridge between technical and non-technical folks.
In his free time, Andy plays competitive chess and poker, and is sometimes funny when performing stand-up comedy.
Business leader with significant experience across sectors across NZ and UK. Former founder, now consulting. Pragmatic, results -focused and action orientated, I am a natural problems solver, calling on learnings from years’ experience in diverse work places and industries – I was recently referred to ‘as the Swiss Army Knife for business’. Reliable and trusted, I thrive on influencing, innovating and tackling the non-BAU things in life! I have previous governance experience in not-for-profit boards, which require genuine commitment from their leadership; and am excited at the opportunity to serve such a well regarded institution.
