Our board
are our
guiding light

With a background in visual arts, Sam has worked in arts education of various forms for more than 20 years. He has held roles in teaching and leadership in the secondary and tertiary sectors, including national assessment development and managing an online community for teachers.

His current role is as Group Director across the Business, Information Technology and Media Arts schools at Wintec includes leading a team of educators to develop our future creative professionals.

Alex is the maker behind Mystery Creek Ceramics and Kapu Uku. Alex is from Cambridge and took her time to find her passion. She began her ceramics journey in 2015 at the Waikato Society of Potters. Pottery helped Alex out of a period of depression and she is now passionate about teaching and making. Alex teaches two classes a week at the Waikato Society of Potters.

Currently studying towards a Bachelor of Media Arts at Wintec in Hamilton, Alex can often be found in her studio sculpting or printmaking. Alex specialises in throwing on the wheel and nerikomi – the Japanese art of folding coloured clay.

A North Waikato resident, Lauren is currently the National Development Manager for CDANZ – Career Development Association of New Zealand, mother of three, and a keen advocate for arts education, the development of local artists, and access to authentic arts experiences for all.

Lauren also remains closely connected to Auckland where she worked as Creative Programmes Manager at THE EDGE (now Auckland Live), managed Auckland Council’s Arts Alive Fund and co-founded Red Leap Theatre. She also produced the PANNZ New Zealand Performing Arts Market for three years and stays connected to the national arts scene via contract work for organisations such as Creative New Zealand.

Caleb was nurtured and raised in the fertile valleys of Te Rohe Potae (King Country). Connections to Waikato were cultivated throughout his upbringing but strengthened while living in Hamilton as a young adult and more recently being nestled in beautiful Whaingaroa (Raglan). Caleb’s background is one grounded in the social services sector and his own personal exploration of creativity.

Working alongside individuals and groups in a therapeutic capacity, the power of creativity has been a pathway of facilitating connection, self-expression and a release and exchange of energy.

Caleb is currently based in a studio/gallery space in Whaingaroa and also working in the community in a supportive role largely based around creative facilitation and community engagement. His belief in the power of creative expression for individual/collective wellbeing and importance of the arts sector in the Waikato has drawn him to joining the Creative Waikato Board.

Brad has a lifelong passion for the arts, in all their resplendent forms. He is a Professor of Leadership and Governance at Te Raupapa Waikato Management School. Brad previously served as Vice-Chair for Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, the Akina Foundation and the International Leadership Association.

For many years he has been actively engaged in leadership development in the creative sector. Brad is committed to growing a stronger Waikato from social, environmental, cultural and economic perspectives. He serves as programme director for the Community Enterprise Leadership (CELF) Elevate Programme.

Sean has three Kāingas (homes). Born in Singapore, he came to the Waikato as an international student, where he grew up, and is now based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Possessing multiple worldviews, he is passionate about creativity, diversity, and wellbeing. He currently works as a Strategic engagement and partnerships advisor with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.

He strives to connect people from all walks of life with government, and that a range of perspectives are included in decision making. He graduated from the University of Waikato with a Masters in Applied Organisational Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys street photography and having catchups over cups of coffee.

Having worked in local government most of her life, a lot of Tanya’s work has had a community development focus that has included supporting the arts as a social connector, avenue for expression, and powerful communication tool.

With a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English Literature and a Bachelor of Physical Education, Tanya is heavily involved in both worlds and has held various governance roles throughout the country and is currently the Chief Executive at Ōtorohanga District Council.

She sees creative expression as a pathway to greater wellbeing on a number of levels, and the Waikato Region has an amazing opportunity to harness our creative energy, build on what we already have, and set ourselves up as a powerhouse for the arts into the future.

Thomas is a highly motivated senior level executive with an impressive history in senior roles with DHBs and major primary care providers including leading Māori health organisations. His extensive background includes CEO and governance level experience, as well as strategic and operational roles.

When asked how will arts, culture and creativity be part of the future for the Waikato, Thomas said:

“By providing Waikato people with connection to how arts can add value to their lives, how therapeutic and enjoyable arts can be and to integrate the arts into everyday living.”

Evie is a New Zealand Barrister and Solicitor as well as a Provisional Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. She is currently working in the KPMG Hamilton Audit division with experiences in various types of businesses and organisations.

Evie has been passionate about arts since a young age and has years of experiences in performing and shows production. She was also a Director of live shows and actively involved in the wide media production industry before she came to New Zealand. Evie is committed to helping arts thrive in our community.