2020 Awards Judges

Rob Heebink, R&D Executive, Gallagher

Rob stepped into the R&D Executive role at Gallagher in 2008 after holding a variety of senior R&D management positions in New Zealand-based global technology companies. Rob is an experienced executive with extensive international experience in operations and R&D management. With his unique combination of Engineering and International Business Strategy qualifications and experience, Rob specialises in aligning R&D activities with business strategy and developing R&D as a strategic capability for sustainable growth and competitive advantage in international business.

Bridget Coates - Chair of White Cloud Dairy Innovation Ltd

Bridget was instrumental in the establishment of ArcAngels, an angel investment network focused on investing in women entrepreneurs. She is also an active investor and mentor to New Zealand startup companies, especially in the food and consumer products space. Bridget has held several director-level board leadership positions in the past – NZ Superannuation Fund, Reserve Bank of NZ, Fisher and Paykel Appliances Holdings, Sky City, UniServices and the Council of the University of Auckland. Bridget has managed an investment company in New York, focused on investments in healthy living companies.

Prior to that, Bridget was the chief operating officer of New York City’s strategic innovation consulting firm, Fahrenheit 212. She was the inaugural chair of the ICEHOUSE, an incubator developed to create business opportunities between the University of Auckland and the wider business and government community. Bridget also held leadership roles in the Knowledge Wave Trust and in KEA, the global kiwi network, and is currently Chair of Koi Tu, the Centre for Informed Futures, at the University of Auckland.

Kendall Flutey, Co Founder and CEO of Banqer

Kendall Flutey is the Co Founder and CEO of Banqer, the financial education platform used by more than 150,000 Australasian primary students. Kendall has a background in accounting, having worked in big four private enterprise before retraining as a software developer. With Banqer at the crossroads of these two industries, Kendall enjoys the new challenge that comes with growing a mission driven impact business, where she can seek to make a difference in our communities.

Debra Hall - Independent director, advisor and mentor

Debra draws on her experience as an engineer in the mining industry, a strategic marketing consultant, a business owner and exited entrepreneur to deliver clarity of thinking and strategic direction to the governance and advisory boards on which she sits. In addition to her board work, Debra mentors young entrepreneurs, trains aspiring directors of early stage companies, and invests in start-up businesses in the high growth / technology space, supporting the growth of NZ Inc. Debra is Chair of the KiwiNet Investment Committee.