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.

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.

Alex is the maker behind Mystery Creek Ceramics. Originally from Cambridge, she took her time to find her passion What started as an exploration quickly became a life-changing passion, helping Alex through a challenging period of depression and guiding her toward a path of self-expression, healing, and artistry.

Alex holds an honors degree in sculpture from The Waikato Institute of Technology, where her studies deepened her understanding of clay and its role in contemporary art. Her sculptural works have been featured in exhibitions across New Zealand, including the National Contemporary Art Award, Portage, and Waiclay.

Teaching and mentoring are integral to her mission. Alex shares her expertise in nerikomi and ceramics through classes, studio internships, and collaborations, inspiring others to discover their creative potential.

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.

Sean has three kāinga (homes). Born in Singapore, he came to the Waikato as an international student, where he grew up, and is now based in Tāmaki Makaurau.

He works as a Community Broker with Auckland Council’s Puketāpapa Local Board, connecting communities, organisations, and resources to strengthen wellbeing and civic participation.

Previously, he served as a Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Advisor with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and as the Asian Cohort Relationship Lead for the University of Auckland’s Growing Up in New Zealand study.

Sean holds a Master of Applied Organisational Psychology from the University of Waikato. His master’s research explored how multicultural identity influences innovative work behaviour, examining the ways diverse cultural experiences can foster creativity and innovation.

His approach is informed by what he calls the “Peripheral Centrality Paradox”- the idea that people who move between communities, sectors and cultures are often uniquely positioned to identify emerging trends, build unexpected connections, and create new forms of value.

He is passionate about the role of the arts in strengthening belonging, social cohesion and community resilience, while helping communities imagine and shape positive futures.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys street photography, flat whites and travel. He remains curious about people, places and culture.

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.

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.

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.”