ACTING KAIWHAKAHAERE CEO

Erica Austin (she/her) is a versatile community strategist, facilitator, storyteller and experience curator who empowers people and organisations through strengths-based growth and inclusive culture. With a background in architecture, she designs transformative experiences—virtual and in-person—that foster belonging, collaboration, and collective impact.

COMMUNITY & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Sam is always searching for examples of future focused initiatives that tackle complex problems, places that create moments of awe amongst the everyday. With a background in Adventure Based Learning and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Sam is actively creating communities that are designed with future generations in mind, where people are intentionally connected and neighbourhoods are resilient, curious, and creative.

CHAIRPERSON

Dr Cheryl Doig is a leadership futurist, weaver and connector, often known as the #futuresaunty. Cheryl has a passion for growing futures literacy and strategic foresight through her company, Think Beyond.  She is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury and the founder of the Ōtautahi Futures Collective. Cheryl is one of 12 people selected globally to support the Dubai Future Forum as a Friend of the Forum.

TRUSTEE

Elle Archer has 28 years’ experience across iwi, business, industry, government, and community development. With a background in science, geospatial tech, and education, she now holds leadership roles regionally, nationally, and globally. Her kaupapa centres on collective leadership, inclusive systems, intergenerational advocacy, and digital equity.

TRUSTEE

Jane Treadwell-Hoye is a strategic leader, connector, and champion of purpose-driven work. She leads Good Bitches Baking as fractional General Manager and runs her consultancy, Necto, helping businesses and charities to do good, well. With a background spanning innovation, education, partnerships, and digital transformation, Jane brings creativity and strategic insight to building inclusive, connected communities.

TRUSTEE

A career educator, Robin retired as Tumuaki/Principal of Te Huruhuru Ao o Horomaka Hornby High School in 2023. A champion of creativity in education and life, he led the school’s vision as he puna auaha – a centre of creative excellence. His work with Ako Ōtautahi is a natural next step in fostering a learning city shaped by creative transformation.

TRUSTEE (TREASURER)

Louisa is the Business and Project Manager at Recalibrate, a technology management consultancy, and also oversees accounts and charitable compliance for AŌ-LCC. Known for her attention to detail and strong organisational skills, she balances her professional life with growing organic fruit and vegetables in her edible garden just west of Christchurch. Her favourite place to unwind is in a yoga class.

ADVISORY TRUSTEE

Alice Dimond (Kāi Tahu) is a social innovation and futures practitioner passionate about creating more collective and equitable futures. At Tokona te Raki, she leads Mō Āpōpō Future-Makers, supporting rangatahi to imagine and shape better futures through Māori perspectives. A Next Generation Foresight Fellow and NZ Lead for the Futures Methods from Around the World project, Alice works at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and futures thinking, presenting globally on how mātauranga Māori can drive systemic change.

YOUTH ADVISORY TRUSTEE

Alice Thompson is a changemaker and sustainability student at the University of Canterbury, focusing on environmental governance and social justice. From interning at Ako Ōtautahi to becoming an advisory trustee, she’s helped shape social impact reporting and youth engagement. Alice has also worked on land succession research with Te Kooti Whenua Māori and led inclusion efforts at lululemon. Beyond her work, she sings with the Christchurch Youth Choir and enjoys acting, CrossFit, and running.

ADVISOR

Garry brings extensive leadership and governance experience across the public and private sectors, with strengths in change management, innovation, and relationship-building. He spent 11 years at the Ministry of Education in Ōtautahi leading education renewal, and now manages operations at Bell Hill Vineyard & Winery in Waikari, where he applies traditional, hands-on techniques. Based in Okuku, Garry and his wife Jo also breed Arapawa Island goats and run a seasonal haymaking enterprise.