Where Kiwi explorers connect and
make a difference
Founded in 2001, Kea nurtures a diverse and vibrant community of Kiwi and friends of New Zealand, who share a strong passion for New Zealand and the success of its people and businesses with operations in Auckland, London, New York and Beijing
New Zealanders are renowned intrepid travellers, taking our unique culture to every nation and network across the globe. In fact, there are nearly as many Kiwi offshore as the population of the South Island.
Whatever their global aspirations, Kiwi seek to remain connected to New Zealand, providing a valuable resource of networks and advocacy for our nation. That’s where Kea comes in, helping our Kiwi explorers to connect and make a difference.
Kea’s mission is to enable better understanding of these exploring Kiwi through goodwill and connection for the benefit of New Zealand and to provide our expats with the information and support they need to thrive.
Kea is connected and dedicated to supporting our nation’s most valuable resource – its people. Join Kea and help build a stronger New Zealand, wherever you are in the world.

Toni Truslove
Global CEO

I connect amazing kiwis on and offshore to leverage their connections & expertise for the benefit of New Zealand.
Toni Truslove
Global CEO
Toni was appointed as Chief Executive of Kea in 2020. With a background in digital business across the UK, US and New Zealand, Toni brings experience in both the private and public sector. Alongside an interest in data, technology and innovation, Toni has a true passion for people seeing them as her strongest ingredient for success. In her spare time, Toni enjoys yoga and spending time in the outdoors.
Saya Wahrlich
Chief Operating Officer
"I work with NZ Inc and industry to mobilise Kea’s community for the good of New Zealand and to support New Zealand's export-led recovery"
Saya Wahrlich
Chief Operating Officer
Saya Wahrlich is Kea’s Global Director for Government and Industry. Saya has 20 years experience in both the private and public sector, spanning senior digital, marketing and general management roles in largely B2B businesses. Most recently while at NZTE she developed and launched Digital Clinics, working with over 250 Kiwi exporting businesses through lockdown to help build digital capability and uncover talent and technology gaps.
Sara Fogarty
Regional Director UK & Europe
"I provide passion and experience to enable NZ companies and New Zealanders to maximise their profitability and impact on the global stage."
Sara Fogarty
Regional Director UK & Europe
Sara a graduate of the University of Waikato with broad experience working globally for wineries and wine companies including Constellation New Zealand, Man O’ War Vineyards and Seresin Estate in a variety of sales and marketing positions. For the last nine years based from the UK, with her Kiwi husband Tim, and London born but very Kiwi son Jack, they continue to discover the world and share their love of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Gary Fortune
Regional Director North America

I am passionate about supporting & uplifting people in business, creating opportunities, introductions & pathways so they can shine.
Gary Fortune
Regional Director North America
Gary has an extensive 30-year career in the NZ music industry, working at record labels across a broad range of promotions, marketing, business networking & international relationships. In 2005, he established the music export initiative called Outward Sound, supporting NZ music & music businesses into international markets. Since 2016, he developed an international music & technology business conference called Mondo.NYC.

Meelan Dobbs
Global Marketing Director

Meelan Dobbs
Global Marketing Director
Kellie Addison
Global Director Partnerships and Communications
Kellie Addison
Global Director Partnerships and Communications
Zoe Wang
Global Connections Manager
Zoe Wang
Global Connections Manager

Rebecca Bao
Regional Director China

Rebecca Bao
Regional Director China

Mitchell Pham
Global Co-Chair

Mitchell Pham
Global Co-Chair
Mitchell Pham is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit recognised for his services to the technology sector and New Zealand-Asia relations. He is the Co-founder and Director of CodeHQ and Kiwi Connection Tech Hub. He has chaired NZTech, FinTechNZ, Digital Council for Aotearoa New Zealand, and currently Co-Chairs the ASEAN Business Alliance and is the Chair for the NZ Asia Institute. Mitchell is experienced in information management, software products & services, digital platforms, sales & marketing, international operations, strategy development, on-shore & off-shore resourcing for scalability, growth & expansion through collaborative partnerships. He’s passionate about both social impact and environmental sustainability and has co-founded and serves on the boards of two not-for-profit organisations to assist refugees and their families in New Zealand.

Linda Jenkinson
Global Co-Chair

Linda Jenkinson
Global Co-Chair
Linda Jenkinson has 30 years of executive management, strategic consulting and governance experience. She was the Co-founder and CEO of two technology-enabled companies and is the first women CEO/Co-founder to take her company public on the NASDAQ. Previously Linda was a Partner at A.T. Kearney. She is active in governance and is currently Chair of Medadvisor Pty Ltd, Jaxsta, Guild Trustee Services and Gold Cross Products & Services. In New Zealand she was Chair of Unicef NZ and has previously served on the Board of Air New Zealand. She is currently a director of Harbour Asset Management. Linda runs the global mentoring program Levelup enabling Kiwi companies to build $100 mil businesses and has won numerous awards including E&Y Master Entrepreneur of the Year and Westpac NZ Women of Influence Business/Commercial. Based in San Francisco, Linda says being a global Kiwi allows her to bring a unique perspective to the Co-Chair role.

Claire Eeles
Board Member

Claire Eeles
Board Member
Claire is based in San Francisco and is President, Emerging Businesses at RH(Restoration Hardware) leading the company’s fast-growing Interior Design and B2B businesses. RH is a US$4B leading luxury home brand globally (NYSE, RH). Claire has over 25 years of business experience across multiple sectors and countries, building new businesses and brands, and transforming existing businesses. She has lived and worked in China, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and has also conducted significant business in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Mexico and Southeast Asia. Claire has represented New Zealand as Consul General in Vancouver, Canada and as a North American Regional Trade Director and has been a business mentor for New Zealand Trade and Industry and KEA for many years.

Juliet Tainui-Hernandez
Board Member

Juliet Tainui-Hernandez
Board Member
Juliet is an executive and governance leader with 20+ years of experience, primarily in the legal and regulatory spheres. She is passionate about great leadership, strategic management, transformation and innovation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and radiating purpose for an engaged workforce and healthy and resilient organisation. Juliet is currently leading the transformation of Te Pūtea Matua, NZ’s central bank and is responsible for Transformation, Innovation and Change, People and Capability, DE&I, Well-being and Culture. She initially trained as a dispute resolution lawyer in New Zealand and Australia, then from 2002-2020 worked internationally, most recently in London as a partner of a large firm with responsibility for Business Transformation and as the Chief Compliance Officer for 26 offices spanning Europe, UK, Middle East, Asia and Brazil.

Matthew Tukaki
Board Member

Matthew Tukaki
Board Member
Matthew is the Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention and the Chairman of the Maori Monitoring Group. He is an experienced executive who has led, managed and grown small, medium and multi-national organisations. He is the former Head of Drake International, one of the world’s oldest and largest employment companies and was the founder of Entrehub - a global entrepreneurs’ movement. Matthew’s former roles include Director of the Board of the Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Co-founder, CEO and Chief Social Investor for the Sustain Group of Companies, Ex-officio Director of the Board of the United Nations Global Compact. Matthew was born in Upper Hutt and is of Ngai Te Rangi descent and has strong iwi affiliations with Matakana Island.

Reuben Levermore
Board Member

Reuben Levermore
Board Member
Reuben is Head of Government & Regional Affairs at Air New Zealand. Prior to joining the company he was Director of Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and served as New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines and as Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR. He has also worked in international trade negotiations, and as a financial markets advocate in London. Reuben is also the Deputy Chair of the Central Districts Cricket Association and has previously served as one of their Board Directors.
Sir Stephen Tindall
Founder
When global challenges occur, Kea comes to the fore to assist New Zealand’s global community and help them to stay connected to home.
Sir Stephen Tindall
Founder
Sir Stephen co-founded Kea in 2001, and remains a prominent entrepreneur and venture capital investor contributing seed and venture capital into Kiwi start-up companies, particularly those focused on the global marketplace.
Dr. David Teece
Founder
The dream that Stephen and I had has clearly materialized; yet there is still much more opportunity ahead of us.
Dr. David Teece
Founder
Dr. David J. Teece is a renowned organizational economist and an authority on matters of technological change, and innovation. He has over thirty years of experience as an active advisor to businesses and governments around the world. He co-founded Kea in 2001 to recognize that New Zealand’s borders are not defined by its geography.
Stories from our community






