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.
Ele Quigan
Global Strategy Director
I connect with our Kea community and global media to help shape and share our Kea story and bring our amazing community to the world.
Ele Quigan
Global Strategy Director
Ele Quigan is Kea's Global Communications & Community Director. Ele has 17 years experience across advertising and media in NZ and the UK. With a strategic head and creative heart Ele is passionate about bringing our Kea story to a global audience. A "bird nerd" and keen gardener since coming back home, Ele loves the amazing, great outdoors of New Zealand.
Saya Wahrlich
Global Director Government & Industry
"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
Global Director Government & Industry
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
Senior Digital & Data Manager

Meelan Dobbs
Senior Digital & Data Manager
Kellie Addison
Global Communications Director
Kellie Addison
Global Communications Director
Zoe Wang
Global Connections Manager
Zoe Wang
Global Connections Manager
Phil Veal
Global Chair
I help bring together great New Zealand minds to work on opportunities that make a difference for Aotearoa and the world.
Phil Veal
Global Chair
Phil is Global Chair of Kea. He was previously the Chief Executive of Rangatira, a middle-market investment company based in Wellington, New Zealand. Before joining Rangatira, Phil was based in New York City as a Partner at Growfire, a middle market advisory and investment firm, and Partner & Managing Director at PIPC (acquired by Cognizant in 2010).
Craig Donaldson
Director
I connect amazing Kiwi offshore and leverage their connections and expertise to help NZ businesses because no Kiwi should ever make a cold call.
Craig Donaldson
Director
Craig Donaldson has over 25 years’ experience working in the financial sector, having held a number of executive positions in major financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and RBS. Craig holds board positions across a range of sectors and provides business advice and mentorship through his involvement with the Icehouse and the University of Auckland.
Young Ly
Director
I enjoy helping Kea navigate this rapidly changing world.
Young Ly
Director
Young Ly is the Chief Executive Officer of Serato, world leaders in audio technology. A position that has given him practical experience with international business and global partnerships. With 20 years of technology leadership, Young’s history includes running Air New Zealand’s Innovation and Ventures team and co-founding a games company.
Peter Gillingwater
Director, UK
As someone who left NZ in 1987 & has always viewed life through my Kiwi lens. I am privileged to be able to support Aotearoa through Kea.
Peter Gillingwater
Director, UK
Founder and CEO of Newfound Global, Peter is an expert in helping global technology companiesgrow in existing markets and expand into new ones. He is an active investor and advisor in multiple B2B tech businesses and lends his deep experience on talent acquisition and development to good effect. A dual UK and NZ citizen Peter has lived in London for mor ethan 30 years and works globally with Newfound and their clients.

Reuben Levermore
Director

A small country can succeed on the world stage by being smart, nimble and resourceful. I believe we can go further by working together as NZ Inc
Reuben Levermore
Director
Reuben is Head of Tourism & Regional Affairs at Air New Zealand. He has lived and worked in six countries in both the private and public sectors. This includes having served as New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines and as Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR. Reuben has also worked in international trade negotiations, and as a financial markets advocate in the City of London.
Mitchell Pham
Director
I believe tha Kea is New Zealand's most important asset on the international stage.
Mitchell Pham
Director
Mitchell Pham is a director of CodeHQ (formerly Augen) in New Zealand and Vietnam, and cofounder of the Kiwi Connection Tech Hub – a platform for NZ technology businesses to accelerate presence & engagement in South East Asia. Internationally, he is recognised in leadership as a World Class New Zealander by Kea, an Asia 21 Fellow and Global Council Member by the Asia Society, and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Claire Eeles
Director

I love the unique idea of NZ Inc. KEA helps New Zealanders living overseas like me to stay connected & make a difference.
Claire Eeles
Director
Claire is based in San Francisco as President, Emerging Businesses at luxury home furnishings retailer, RH. She has 25+ years of experience in the building products and furniture retailing sectors. She has lived in China, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand, and worked also in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Mexico and South East Asia. She has been a NZTE Beachheads and KEA Connect Adviser for many years.

Matthew Tukaki
Director

My Aspiration is that Maori and all New Zealanders, are part of the world at large, supporting them to succeed in their chosen fields.
Matthew Tukaki
Director
Matthew Tukaki has more than two decades of experience in the public and private sector including as Chair of the National Maori Authority, Chair of Deakin University (Australia) CSaRO and Australia Representative to the United Nations Global Compact. In the private sector, he is the former Head of Drake International, one of the world's oldest and largest employment companies, Chair of the WorkWise Group and the Sustain Group of Companies. More recently Matthew led the review into the New Zealand Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki. His whakapapa includes Ngai Te Rangi on his Maori side and Irish ancestry (O’Flaherty) on his maternal side.
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






