Describe yourself in three words or phrases.
Curious. Collaborative. Bold.
What do you like most about your job?
There’s a Māori proverb that has always resonated with me: “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, people, people.
That sums it up perfectly. I love working with talented people, seeing them grow and discovering what’s possible when different perspectives come together. And in education, there’s the added privilege of knowing our work can genuinely change lives.
Describe a project or initiative you’re currently working on that excites you.
At QS, we’re rethinking how students discover, decide and connect with education opportunities.
Choosing what and where to study is a huge life decision. I’m excited about connecting students’ career ambitions with the right study opportunities, using digital innovation, AI and personalised guidance to make that journey simpler and help students make more confident decisions.
What’s a piece of work you’re proud of – and what did it teach you?
Leading the University of Auckland’s online education portfolio into its next phase of growth was a career highlight. Having spent much of my career in international education, it meant stepping into a new context, focusing on domestic working professionals in Aotearoa New Zealand during tough economic times, while continuing to grow internationally.
It was complex, challenging and hugely rewarding. I was fortunate to work alongside a wonderful team, and it reinforced how much can be achieved when people share an ambition and have the confidence to challenge conventional thinking.
What’s a small daily habit that helps you in your work?
Music! I’ve always listened to music when I’m trying to untangle something complex. It’s a bit like putting on your favourite track to get motivated for a workout. It helps me get into the right headspace, connect the dots and find a way forward.
What’s one change you’d like to see in your sector over the next few years?
I’d love to see international education become genuinely student-centred, not just in what we say, but in how we design the experience.
We talk a lot about recruitment, applications and enrolments, but behind every number is someone making a life-changing decision. We have an enormous opportunity to make that journey simpler, more transparent and more personal.
What idea, book, podcast or conversation has stayed with you recently?
That embracing change doesn’t mean leaving everything behind.
Moving back to the UK after two years in New Zealand has made me reflect on how much people and places shape us. Leaving Auckland was harder than I expected. I made wonderful friendships and worked with people who taught me so much.
It’s a reminder that new chapters don’t replace old ones. You take the best of them with you.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in this field?
Stay curious and say yes to opportunities outside your comfort zone. You don’t need everything figured out before taking the next step.
And invest in relationships. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from the people I’ve worked with, learned from and laughed with along the way.
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