David has held a portfolio of interests across international trade, technology, economic development, and charitable causes. He has held a number of General Management roles in New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, most recently working with the technology sector to help fast growing tech companies grow internationally and New Zealand companies adopt digital commerce channels to market. He has also held leadership roles at NZTE in products and services, customer and corporate services. Prior to this David had an extensive career in leadership roles with Microsoft in New Zealand and Asia Pacific. 

David is a passionate New Zealander and storyteller by nature. He has successfully started businesses, been a comedian, TV and Radio actor, a talented author and semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year. 

Kellie is a senior executive with more than 20 years’ experience across the FMCG, Telecommunications, Digital Media and Retail industries in New Zealand. Kellie has been involved in all facets of marketing including brand management, advertising and communications, market research and product management. More recently Kellie has led broader Business Transformation roles for Yellow and Pumpkin Patch providing longer term strategic business planning and Board engagement. Her most successful marketing campaign was Yellow Treehouse, an innovative approach to a difficult marketing challenge centred on moving Yellow beyond printed directories and into digital media solutions. In 2016, Kellie also led the very successful brand transformation at Mighty River Power; re-branding the company name and brand identity to ‘Mercury’. Outside of work she is ‘Mum’ to her two children. Kellie’s other interests include entertaining friends, running, reading or spending time at the beach.

Kristin is the General Legal Counsel for the New Zealand Story team, with a particular focus on the FernMark Licence Programme. She has considerable legal experience in New Zealand and the United States (Boston and New York) where she worked for a leading global law firm, Ropes & Gray, and a biopharmaceutical company. Before joining New Zealand Story, Kristin worked for New Zealand’s leading commercial law firm, Bell Gully. Kristin is mum to three children and loves spending time with family and friends, travelling, being outdoors, doing crosswords, and keeping fit through mountain biking, running, netball, and walking up hills in Wellington.

Savannah is our Operations Manager, responsible for managing the overall delivery planning of the New Zealand Story strategy and provides support to our CEO and the wider team.

Before joining New Zealand Story, she gained experience in various roles across different sectors – Business Analyst at Bank of New Zealand, Teacher at Southern Institute of Technology, and Office Manager at EESL. She also has her own translation and export business on the side. With her diverse industry experience, Savannah brings a proactive and flexible approach to juggling many different priorities within the workplace.

Outside of work, Savannah loves spending time video-chatting with her overseas family in China, hiking and enjoying the lovely sun in Auckland, as well as making dumplings!

Jessica is the FernMark Licence Programme Manager. She is particularly interested in helping Kiwi businesses with their international growth strategies. Jessica has strong international experience having worked in China, the UK and Australia as a trademark consultant. Before joining New Zealand Story, she worked for BNZ on the Asia Desk where she was responsible for developing pathways for customers exporting to Asia. 

Jess hails from Queenstown, so naturally loves the outdoors, especially snowboarding, and is partial to a good Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Rhys leads the development and delivery of our Storytelling platform, as well as the New Zealand Story website, our brand Toolkit and other digital channels. He is also responsible for the Marketing Communications and Social Media Strategy for the FernMark Licence Programme.

Lydia is an experienced Marketing and Communications Manager. She has spent the last 10 years in London working for global organisations such as the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). She has strong experience in communications specialising in PR, strategy, planning and partnerships. Lydia is passionate about telling stories that deliver impact and working on campaigns that drive action.

When she’s not at work, Lydia is hunting down a great coffee or cheering on the family’s horses in the tangerine at Ellerslie racecourse. 

Ali is our Storytelling Consultant. Prior to returning to New Zealand for this role, she was based in London overseeing NZTE’s offices and relationships across Europe as the Regional Director. Her prior experience includes working for the commercial team at New Zealand Cricket, where she developed the HRV Cup and rejuvenated the Plunket Shield competition. She has also held marketing and sales roles at Unilever in the United Kingdom and Vietnam, where she worked on internationally recognised brands such as Persil, Omo, Comfort and Cif. She has a degree in natural sciences from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, in the United Kingdom.

Jessica is the Marketing Assistant for the New Zealand Story and the FernMark Licence Programme. Jessica graduated in 2020 from Victoria University of Wellington completing a double degree in Commerce and Arts. Outside of work she’s spending time with family and friends, travelling, or at the beach.

Belle is the Social Media Manager at New Zealand Story. She has a passion for writing, graduating from the University of Auckland in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Writing Studies and Media.

Belle’s previous experience encompasses all sectors from retail to hospitality to customer service. In her spare time, she’s painting or headed to the nearest Kmart.

Lynette is the FernMark Licence Programme Coordinator. She has previously worked as a graphic designer and as a pastry chef while living in the UK for 12 years and more recently completed a Diploma in Web Development.

Outside of work Lynette enjoys cooking, gardening and being outdoors, coaches junior netball and volunteers for the Community Comms Collective.

Lynda is responsible for managing our global content calendar ensuring a strong pipeline of story ideas, and the creation of video content for our social media channels and website. Working alongside the Digital Marketing Lead, Marketing Communications Manager and FernMark Programme Manager to deliver key marketing projects, as well as leading and managing the high-quality production requirements of both video and stills film shoots, and website and brand toolkit content management.

She is also the brand guardian for the FernMark across NZ Inc and responsible for the associated brand guidelines.

Charlotte is an experienced international marketer who has scaled and developed brands across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North American markets. Her background spans brand management, strategic planning, and digital marketing in media, broadcast and telecommunication industries. She is passionate about making New Zealand's remarkable stories heard globally to grow our reputation for the collective benefit of our people.

Outside of work, she is a filter coffee enthusiast, a yogi, a sailor, and adores adventures with family and friends.