Better by Design is part of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and operates from its Auckland office.
Judith has overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the Better by Design programmes including the Design Integration Programme,Design Integration Funding, design internships, and education course delivery.
With a background in consulting and project management, Judith has held economic development roles with both Industry New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Judith’s most recent role was Sector Manager of Creative Industries where she had responsibility for strategic and business planning for NZTE’s engagement with the creative industries sector, including entertainment, fashion, textiles and digital media. judith.thompson@nzte.govt.nz
Pam has a background in marketing and communications across corporate, not for profit and government. Before joining Better by Design, Pam was the Director Brand Development for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. Pam and her team were responsible for managing the development of New Zealand's country business brand ‘New Zealand New Thinking’.
Dean was GM Manufacturing at Fisher & Paykel Appliances for the last 10of his 28 years with the company and played an active part in introducing many of the initiatives that have resulted in their design-led culture today. He has spent the last six years in Saudi Arabia, concurrently managing two joint venture companies with Carrier and Electrolux.During that time he introduced design-led cultures which contributed to a combined improvement in revenue of $50 million. Dean joined Better by Design in October 2006 and is working to support companies through the Design 360 process of the DesignIntegration Programme and helping them implement the recommendations identified in their Design 360 plan.
Luizhas 25 years experience in manufacturing, operations, strategic and operational planning, finances and marketing. He has held general management roles with electronics company, Ampac Int. Systems, and Water Solutions New Zealand – the manufacturer of large volume watert reatment systems. With a masters degree in electronics engineering, Luiz worked as a design engineer in the computers industry in Brazil before starting his own company manufacturing printed circuit boards.He emigrated to New Zealand in 1993.
John has over 30 years experience as a product designer most recently leading KOHLER Australasia’s in-house New Product Development Programme.
He designed the well-known ‘Gentle Annie’ washing machine control panel technology (more recently known as the ‘Smart Drive’) at Fisher & Paykel and also developed the renowned WorkZone office furniture range for Criterion.
John helps the programme’s clients use design strategically. He also works with the design community to ensure its skill levels are matched to the needs of business, with the aim of encouraging a ready supply of world class designers and design services.
Another focus is the education sector to make sure graduates of design, commerce and engineering courses are up to date with the design needs and capabilities of each profession.
john.hatrick-smith@nzte.govt.nz
With a background in law, economics and strategy, Peter has experience with a wide range of clients in the manufacturing, telecommunications,energy, and financial services industries. Peter’s most recent role wasas a corporate lawyer with Russell McVeagh where he was involved with several successful domestic and offshore takeovers, IPOs and mergers.Prior to joining the corporate team at Russell McVeagh, Peter completed a degree in International Trade and Law at Auckland University and Berkeley at the University of California. Peter has also worked as an intern with The Icehouse (International Centre for Excellence) in Auckland and engineering firm Beca Carter.
Gina’s background involves over 12 years experience as Business Development Manager within the Creative Sector. She earned her qualifications in Computer Animation and Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Dallas-Texas. Since migrating to New Zealand, Gina has been involved in strategic re-branding projects for companies such as Hewlett Packard and Bank of New Zealand. Her latest role at Exhibit Group allowed her to assist many New Zealand owned companies in the creation of suitable marketing and trade show materials as well as new product launch campaigns for both local and international markets.
Rinoa has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Employment Relations from the University of Auckland having majored in Human Resource Management.Originally from Shanghai, Rinoa studied in New Zealand for 5 years and during this time also gained experience in office management,communication, university tutoring and teaching assistance. Her last job was an office administrator in the Families Commission.