Complex times call for Complex minds

Our Guardians oversee, guide, and consult with the Board and Advisory Panel to ensure that The Observatory keeps its vision and impact aligned. Our Board steers our Foundation towards a sustainable future, while supporting and counselling our advisors. Our Advisors innovate and design change models that iterate into development and delivery with ongoing Board and Guardian feedback.

Gresham Bradley

Guardian

With over 30 years experience in educational programming, production and video streaming website development and as Chair of Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust, Gresham has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the education and Diversity and Inclusion space.

Amanda Hall

M.D, FACEP, FACEM

Board Chair

With an honours degree in The Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics and a Doctorate of Medicine, Dr. Hall built her career in the specialty of Emergency Medicine. Her work is fueled by a dedication to improving lives, grappling with inequities, and bearing witness to human suffering with humility and gratitude.

Kate Bruce

Advisor

With an Honours Degree in Speech and Drama and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Potential for the Digital Economy, Kate’s expertise lies in storytelling and inferring meaning into narratives in order to increase connection and engagement.

Rich Rowley

Advisor

Rich is an educator and innovation coach and holds a degree in Law and a Masters in
Computer Science.

Michelle Ballard

BA (Hons), MASc

Guardian

Michelle’s 30+ year career includes executive roles with major financial services companies in corporate affairs, human resources and CSR policy. Since 2006 she has run a consultancy supporting major change programs, business turnarounds and M&As; with clients from a diverse range of industries.

Charlotte Vandermeer

BA, BSc, PhD

Board Secretary

Charlotte recently emerged out of the NZ educational system and now works for a national commercialisation programme. She is aware how privileged she is to have thrived in the NZ educational system and hate that this isn't true for everyone.

Sarah Codling

Advisor

With a background in sales and customer experience, Sarah solves real world business challenges and develops products with a distinctly human-centred approach.

Gavin Wake

GDiped, MEd (AppLrng)

Guardian

Gavin is an innovative secondary school Principal and teacher who has been working with disengaged students for over 15 years.
Previous roles include watersports instructor at Camp America and lecturer to pre service teachers at Deakin University.

Shaun Gear

Board Treasurer

Full-time advisor to the Ministry of Education New Zealand, Shaun leverages, builds, sources and consolidates information to improve connections, understanding, and relationships between schools and learners.

Vivek Kumar

Advisor

Vivek has a background in psychology with a focus on cognitive neuroscience and organisational development.