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Our Leadership Team.

  • Amanda Wood

    Acting Chief Executive and Member Services Manager

    Amanda Wood is currently Acting Chief Executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Business Central, where she also serves as Member Services Manager, leading learning and development, events, international trade, and a number of thought leadership initiatives.

    Amanda has over a decade of executive leadership experience and 25 years in business planning, project management, and team development. She has managed complex projects and led teams through change.

    She brings leadership experience from a range of organisations, including ANZ, Outward Bound, and the Motor Trade Association. Amanda believes her greatest successes come from collaborating with diverse groups—organisations, government agencies, and communities—to achieve shared goals.

    She currently sits on the Industry Stakeholder Group for Hanga-Aro-Rau and is a member of the Women in Automotive Consortium.

    Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University and has completed advanced training in negotiation and leadership, as well as The Leadership Mindset Programme through the Auckland School of Business.

    Amanda Wood Portrait 2024 Web
  • Conor Whitten

    Corporate Affairs & Advocacy Manager

    Conor Whitten is our Corporate Affairs and Advocacy Manager, responsible for policy, government relations, media engagement and marketing.

    His work also includes involvement with our Business Leaders Forum, diplomatic corps and Taiwan Business Council.

    Conor has had a long career in communications, primarily as one of New Zealand’s leading broadcast journalists.

    He is also a former foreign correspondent and political reporter in Parliament’s Press Gallery, with extensive experience covering major international events. Prior to joining the Chamber, he was a member of award-winning current affairs show ‘Sunday.’

    Conor has strong networks across politics and commerce. The stories and successes of our members are an inspiration for Conor and give him a passion for helping New Zealand businesses to succeed. He has a Bachelor of Communications from AUT.

    Conor Whitten Portrait 2024 Web
  • Jeremy Markham

    Acting Membership and Operations Manager

    Jeremy comes to us as a Senior Consultant. With more than ten years’ experience in banking, including business and commercial banking. Jeremy understands business and is focused on helping members get the most value possible out their membership. He’s an innovator with an open door, always keen to consider and explore new ways to deliver more value for members.

    Jeremy Markham 1000x1500
  • Kacie Lewton

    Executive Assistant

    As Executive Assistant to Chief Executive, Kacie plays a critical support role in the organisation. She also oversees the day-to-day running of the office.  

    Kacie’s professional approach and strong relationship building capability is a key to her effectiveness. She is a natural diplomat with a background in the legal sector, including a role with leading law firm Meredith Connell.

    Kacie says that the challenges of an energetic young family outside of work help her stay ‘match fit’ to deal with anything.

    Kacie Portrait 2024 Web

Our Board


Siah Hwee Ang

President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce

Siah Hwee Ang is Professor of International Business and Strategy and Professorial Chair in Business in Asia at Victoria University of Wellington. He is also the Director of New Zealand’s Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence. He has been a strong supporter of our Export NZ initiatives.

Before joining Victoria University of Wellington, Siah was Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Auckland Business School and continues to be a Visiting Professor to a few Asian universities.

Greg Pollock

Interim Chair of Business Central

Greg  Pollock has 30 years’ experience in business and leadership roles. He currently runs Agite Consulting in Wellington, a consulting business which specialises in transport, infrastructure and public policy practice and advises clients on how to deliver critical urban development and infrastructure projects.

Greg has had several CEO and C-suite roles in large organisations over the last 12 years, including in professional services and public transport operations. He lives in Wellington and is keen to see a revival in the economic fortunes of the lower North Island and believes the business community has a critical role in leading that revival.

Chad Johnston

Chad Johnston is Managing Director of AV Media, which partners with premium venues across New Zealand to offer seamless execution of conferences and events. Chad was previously the Area General Manager of Rydges Wellington Hotel, having worked with the Rydges brand for over 17 years.

In addition to his current role with Business Central, Chad is also on the board of the Te Awe Wellington Māori Business Network, a non-profit organisation established in 1996 and a key partner of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and Wellington Pasifika Business Network, together known as the Power of Three.

Nic Smith

Professor Nic Smith is Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington. He joined VUW in January 2023 after holding professorial appointments as the Provost at Queensland University of Technology, Dean of Engineering at the University of Auckland, Head of Biomedical Engineering at King's College London, and Professor of Computational Physiology at the University of Oxford.

In addition to these academic leadership roles, Nic has been a director for Auckland Uni Services Limited and Chaired the Business Development and Commercialisation Board for Queensland University of Technology. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of directors and a fellow of the New Zealand Royal Society and Engineering New Zealand.

Jenna Raeburn

Jenna Raeburn is GM Corporate Affairs at Wellington Airport. Jenna joined the Wellington Airport team in 2019 and is primarily responsible for regulatory and legal compliance, government and community relations, communications and sustainability.

Her background is in politics with a foundation in law and economics. She also has extensive government relations experience across a range of sectors including transport, technology, e-commerce and infrastructure.

Jonathan (Jonno) Tulitt

Jonno Tulitt is Managing Director of Snorkel New Zealand, which was up until recently manufacturing elevated work platforms, but has transitioned to solely distributing and supporting Snorkel products within New Zealand. Jonno currently serves on the Snorkel Board and is a Board Member of the Elevated Work Platform Association (EWPA) of New Zealand.

Jonno started his career in the Royal New Zealand Airforce as a teenager, training and qualifying as an Armament Technician. Following the RNZAF, Jonno moved into the rail sector, first in London as an Operations and Depot Manager, then returning to New Zealand to manage rail operations in Auckland and Wellington. Jonno is excited to share his knowledge of operations and business strategy with the Business Central Board and further complement the great work that is already being undertaken.

 

Man on phone

Get in touch

Phone:
04 473 7224
Email:
info@wecc.org.nz
Postal Address
PO Box 1087
Wellington 6140
Head Office:
Level 13, NTT Tower, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011