Our People

Sally is a Professor Emeritus of Management at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Business School, and a technology and innovation strategy expert. She has a background in the physical sciences and her research interests centre on that science heritage — the commercialisation and impact of scientific research, science-based entrepreneurship and the growth of high-tech firms as well as innovation strategy and policy.

Sally spent eight years as Director of the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge. This experience led to an intense interest in how such mission-led approaches can create lasting impact through relationship building and behavioural change. Sally is currently a Commissioner with the Tertiary Education Commission and also chairs the Advisory Group for the Future Magnets and Materials Technologies Platform. She was awarded a MNZM in 2017 for services to science.

Alison has a background in geomorphology, having studied in the UK, Europe, and Mississippi before moving to New Zealand 20 years ago. She spent 12 years at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, where she oversaw research in ecosystems, soils, land use, and informatics. She collaborated extensively with councils and central government to understand and prioritise science needs, as well as with the science community to find strategies to improve science uptake and utilisation. In this role, she founded and became director of a centre for integrating and disseminating data and science-based tools. Alison began working at the Ministry for the Environment as Departmental Chief Science Advisor in August 2017. Her position focuses on translating science and navigating the science system so decision-makers can better access and use research.

Jo is the Chief Resilience and Research Officer at the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake. Her team contribute to a programme of around $24 million investment in scientific data, research and education to help us better understand New Zealand’s natural hazards risks.

Jo joined NHC Toka Tū Ake following 13 years in the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. There she led development of the National Disaster Resilience Strategy, as well as other strategic national policies and programmes. Jo is a volcanologist and completed her PhD in the study of volcanic ash.

Jo is strongly motivated by tackling complex social issues and progressing improved outcomes for New Zealanders. Her future focus is ensuring scientific research results get to the right people making decisions on the policies and practices that make a difference for households and communities.

Iain is the Executive Director for Te Uru Kahika, the collective of 16 Regional Councils and Unitary Authorities. He was previously the Group Manager of the Integrated Catchment Management Group for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and has held other executive leadership roles with council. During his time with council he has worked across council’s emergency management and regulatory systems. Iain’s 35 year career in natural resource management has spanned the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game New Zealand and the Cawthron Institute, alongside 13 years in executive leadership with local government. While working for HBRC, Iain has worked at a national and regional level supporting the development of implementable policy with the support of great science. Iain has convened the Resource Managers Group, Biomanagers Group, Science Advisory Group and Envirolink Governance Group of council senior leaders. Iain was on the governance group of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge and chaired the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust.

Ross is a Chartered Geologist and Engineer who has spent the last 20 years trying to bridge the communication gaps between technical disciplines and the public. He has a strong interest in assessing and communicating risk in a meaningful way. A former Chair of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society, he works for Auckland Council as Chief Engineer where he helps coordinate the management of natural hazards for Auckland and is responsible for building resilience and sustainability into engineering and asset management decision-making and policy. He is regularly involved in emergency management and is currently leading aspects of the Auckland recovery from the 2023 North Island Weather Events.

Tom is the Chief Science Advisor for the National Emergency Management Agency | Te Rākau Whakamarumaru. He is also Professor of Disaster Risk & Resilience at University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. As NEMA’s Chief Science Advisor, Tom’s role is to lead and support providing high-quality, independent, scientific advice to NEMA and the wider Aotearoa New Zealand emergency management sector. Tom’s role also includes supporting strategic partnerships with science organisations and helping to better connect research with policy and practice.