Meet the ACE New Zealand board, regional chairs and staff who work together to be the voice of consulting and engineering.
We’re governed by nine board members made up of six elected members and up to three appointed members.
Chief Executive
Penny Kneebone is the Chief Executive of Tonkin + Taylor, a mid-size, employee-owned, environmental and engineering consultancy with deep roots in Aotearoa and a healthy desire to connect with the world.
Project Delivery Specialist
Jo is a chartered engineer (CEng MICE) and Project Management Professional (PMI). She is a project delivery specialist at Tonkin + Taylor supporting the business with her knowledge and experience from time working for a contractor, and leading multi-disciplinary teams within D&C projects including Te Kaha One NZ Stadium.
Tonkin + Taylor
Managing Director
Steven is Managing Director and shareholder of Riley Consultants, a New Zealand-owned consulting engineering firm providing geotechnical, civil, water and environmental services.
Riley Consultants Ltd
Director
Gavin is the founder of Navig8 Construction Advisory. He brings over 30 years of experience in capital project delivery and business leadership.
Director Advisory Services, Asia Pacific
Roger is a sense-making strategist, and a collaborative futures team builder who honed his consulting leadership across multiple nations.
Stantec New Zealand
Water Engineer
L’Rey has a robust background in governance and a deep commitment to te ao Māori and Rangatahi perspectives. She joins the ACE Board as an Emerging Director.
NZ Leader - Water, Environment and Land
Josie is an infrastructure and consulting executive with more than 30 years’ experience helping shape communities, infrastructure and environmental outcomes across Aotearoa.
Partner - Project Controls
Blake understands both ends of the ACE member organisation spectrum, having worked for both a large global engineering design firm and more recently a growing local consultancy.
Sector Lead – Transport
Sharon Parackal is Sector Lead – Transport at Frequency and one of three newly appointed ACE New Zealand Board members. Sharon has been appointed for a one-year term following her win of our Emerging Leader Award last year.
Frequency
12 regional champions are elected each year to facilitate ACE New Zealand’s activities and initiatives regionally.
Canterbury/West Coast
Mark Thomson is Senior Associate Engineer at Woods and the new ACE New Zealand Regional Champion for Canterbury / West Coast. His priority is ensuring that all member voices in the region from sole practitioners to global firms are genuinely heard.
Woods
Waikato
Shaun Hamilton is the Waikato Regional Leader for GHD and the new ACE New Zealand Regional Champion for Waikato. He is passionate about how consulting makes a real difference, from shaping infrastructure to creating places that improve our communities. We asked Shaun about his career and what he brings to the role.
Nelson/Blenheim
Steph has on-the-ground delivery experience, commercial experience, people leadership and conflict resolution experience. She is passionate about promoting our industry to ensure diversity and inclusion.
Manawatu
Campbell has technical experience in the contaminated land, hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering fields, and spent the majority of the last 15 years as a project manager on large infrastructure projects in the transport, mining, power and buildings s
Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
Luke is a Structural Engineer leading the Commercial team and holds extensive experience and expertise in building science and legislative requirements of the New Zealand construction industry including consultancy and local government consenting.
Auckland
Liz is a technical director at Beca. She has over 20 years’ experience working as a structural engineer, both here and overseas. She enjoys the collaborative nature of the industry and opportunity to meet and learn from others.
Northland
As a water Engineer with WSP Friso is glad to contribute time and effort to further ACE’s goals in Northland from his base in Whangarei, to be an advocate for all members and to best anticipate the great potential for consultancy and engineering.
Northshore
Kākati brings a dynamic professional background encompassing engineering, finance, economics, and tribal leadership.
Bay of Plenty
Mark Weber is Regional Manager at Kirk Roberts and the new ACE New Zealand Regional Champion for Bay of Plenty. He aims to surface meaningful insights within the region and ensure they are clearly communicated back to ACE to help inform priorities and action.
Kirk Roberts
Taranaki
Chad is a civil engineer at Beca in the Taranaki region. He believes integrity is his greatest strength. He’s spent the past 10 years contracting which has provided him with a practical skill base and industry knowledge to drive projects to success.
Wellington
Rob is a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 30 years of experience. He has a range of experience on infrastructure projects, leading project teams and working alongside project partners and stakeholders to deliver outcomes and broader legacy outcomes.
RESOLVE GROUP
Meet the people who work for ACE New Zealand.
Chief Executive
Helen is an experienced executive with a background in law, policy and dispute resolution. She loves that every day she works to support our sector in shaping the future of Aotearoa.
General Manager of Strategy and Government Relations
General Manager of Engagement
Hannah is responsible for strategic engagement, member experience, partnerships and business development at ACE New Zealand.
ACE New Zealand
Communications and Marketing Manager
Suzie is our communications and marketing manager providing strategic advice and support to enhance ACE New Zealand’s influence, connections, and engagement with members and stakeholders.
Business Operations Specialist
Yasmin is our Business Operations Specialist who keeps ACE New Zealand running smoothly by coordinating business operations, projects, governance processes and data systems, ensuring our team has the tools, information and support needed to deliver exceptional service to our members.
Executive Assistant
Working away behind the scenes, Nicole is responsible for diary management and administrative support.
Communications Specialist
Sarah is our content writer and communications specialist at ACE New Zealand.
Digital content specialist
Kia orana, Ko Tim tōku ingoa. Ko te Kuki Airani tōku whenua, Ko Tongareva tōku motu, I whānau mai au ki Te Awa Kairangi Ki Uta.
I’m a digital content specialist with a background in media, communications and broadcasting.
