Aotearoa’s

open learning platform

Meet our

innovators

Tom Irvine
Tom is an influential leader in Aotearoa, New Zealand and more specifically in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland—with a mission is to prioritise People, Place and Purpose (Tangata, Takiwā me Kaupapa).
He brings a wealth of corporate, community and commercial expertise and experience to the Board. His current occupation and governance roles include being the CEO of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia, Tangata Whenua representative on the Hauraki Gulf Forum, Deputy Director and Advisory Committee Member of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Director of Committee for Auckland Director and Trustee of Revive our Gulf – Mussel Reef Restoration Trust.
Michael Absolum
Michael has been a teacher, psychologist and lecturer, a Reviewer with the Education Review Office, a School Board of Trustees chair and a School Establishment Board member.
He co-wrote a National Evaluation Report ‘Effective Governance: School Boards Of Trustees’ (1993), and in 1999 founded Evaluation Associates, a company supporting schools to raise achievement and reduce disparity of student outcomes in the compulsory education sector. Through Evaluation Associates, he supports schooling improvement in New Zealand and supports schools to develop their assessment and data information systems.
In 2007 he published ‘Clarity in the Classroom’, an influential and widely read book, still in print, on the theory and practice of assessment in New Zealand classrooms. He was a co-author of the 2009 Ministry of Education commissioned paper ‘Directions for Assessment in New Zealand.’ In 2010 he formed a consortium with the University of Auckland and Learning Media Limited to provide development support in leadership and assessment between 2010 and 2016. In 2017 Michael co-founded the New Zealand Assessment Institute and the Stonefields Collaborative Trust.
In 2023 he was awarded an ONZM.
Aliesha Staples
Aliesha Staples is a businesswoman and digital technology entrepreneur with expertise in AR/VR and emerging technologies.
Aliesha founded StaplesVR in 2014 which went on to become one of New Zealand’s leading serious game companies providing software solutions for industries such as Film/TV, Aviation, Defence and Healthcare, the company now also has a footprint in Australia and the UK.
She co-founded Click Studios in 2020 a creative tech lab for students, teachers and start ups to engage with new technology and in 2023 she was the driving force behind the set up of the Click Foundation, a registered charity designed to help tackle diversity issues within the creative tech sector.
Aliesha is a professional director sitting on the board of Television New Zealand, Institute of Directors, Antarctic Heritage Trust, Netball NZ and she chairs the New Zealand Football Foundation. 
Katherine Allsopp-Smith
Katherine is actively involved in managing family investments, leading exceptionally talented and innovative individuals, driving
purpose-driven initiatives, and spearheading culture-related projects.
Katherine holds a design degree from Auckland University of Technology, which fuels her deep passion for creativity and
understanding of physiology. Her interests revolve around the convergence of business, education, environmental sustainability,
sport and emotional well-being.
Her driving force and superpower are “radical change and deep connection.” Katherine's heritage, a mix of Pacific Ūkaipō and
European roots, provides her with a profound appreciation for cultural diversity.
Katherine has played a pivotal role in founding AGE School and inspiring the BeingAI vision to transform industries through
Exponentially Accelerated Technology (EAT). Additionally, Katherine is the Founder of the Te Turanga Ukaipo Charitable Trust, which empowers students not only to survive but to thrive.
Dr Craig Harrison
Dr Craig Harrison is New Zealand’s leading thinker in athlete development. With a PhD in applied sports science, more than 165 episodes hosting his poplar podcast, The Athlete Development Show, and over 20 years’ experience working in youth sport, Craig has much to share with audiences.
Craig believes in founding the sports experience on what we know about human learning and development to grow the person within every athlete.
With a broad range of experiences and an in-depth understanding of the science, Craig works with senior leaders, coaches and athletes from a diverse range of organisations and schools to create exceptional learning environments. His work currently includes projects with New Zealand Cricket, Volleyball New Zealand, Canada Skateboard, Snow Sports New Zealand, Saint Kentigern, Saint Cuthbert’s College, and more.
As a keynote speaker, Craig delivers engaging and insightful presentations to parents, coaches, and athletes. He has an ability to quickly connect with an audience, capture interest, and make complex topics meaningful and easy to understand. People leave his sessions entertained, informed, and inspired to make real change.
As a researcher, Craig supervises a team of postgraduate Masters and Doctoral students at the University of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand.
At home, Craig is married to ex-professional athlete Anna Harrison, dad to three beautiful children, and host of a friendly springer spaniel, two chickens, and two ducks.
Brett O’Riley
Founder City Senior Partnership School; CEO of PTE EMA; Board member EPA, Establishment Board for Te Pukenga, Chair of the 21st Century Digital Learning Reference Group, CEO of ATEED including responsibility for Study Auckland and international education, CEO of NZICT, Trustee of the Manaiakalani Education Trust.
Helping Business Succeed. Connecting People and Projecting Ideas globally. Innovation eco-system development. Investment attraction. Governance and Advisory. Merger and Acquisition leadership. Sales and marketing engagement models. Strategic marketing plan development and implementation. New venture and business development. Sales management. Demand forecasting and modelling.