Alumni Notes and News

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News - Displayed on Website	Sandra K Hanlen	21/03/2025
In 2010, I migrated to Perth, Western Australia, and began my journey in the employment services industry as a site manager. Facing the glass ceiling and struggling to demonstrate my value in promotional roles, I was determined to ensure my credibility was unquestionable. While working full-time and studying during the summer holidays, I completed my degree in three years. This period was incredibly challenging, and without the unwavering support of my friends, family, and colleagues, I might not have reached the finish line. Raising my daughter at the time, I couldn't pause life to solely focus on my studies, so I became a professional juggler. My fondest memory is submitting an assignment while sitting on a train in India, and my worst memory is writing assignments in my home office on scorching 40-degree days while everyone else enjoyed the pool. The sacrifices were immense. Since graduating in 2020, I have served as a state manager for an Indigenous organisation, supporting Indigenous university students in transitioning to corporate Australia. In this role, I was exposed to some of the top global companies, including those in tech, mining and engineering, oil and gas, and all five universities in Perth (this is important for later). In 2021, I started law school part-time at Charles Sturt University and met an inspiring woman in the tech industry. Her influence led me to drop law school and enrol in a course with She Codes Australia, where I learned HTML/CSS, React.js, Python, and Django REST. At 40, with strong stakeholder relationships with my corporate partners, I amalgamated my knowledge from the 10 years I worked for the New Zealand government, 9 years with employment services, and 2 years in social enterprise into a career as a managing consultant. Today, I am working on a $3 billion global project, implementing S/4HANA across 13 sites for a major global oil and gas company. I am the Reconciliation Action Plan chair for IBM Australia, an AI ethicist and country lead for Indigenous relations. Without my degree from Massey University and the experiences that shaped me, I wouldn't be where I am today.

News - Displayed on Website	David A Buxton	17/03/2025
Studied at Massey University, Palmerston North 1963-1967. Employed by MAF, firstly as a Farm Advisor (20 years) then as a communications manager at Invermay and Ruakua Research Stations. Made redundant in 1990 when communications were closed as a cost saving. Then became a partner in Solutions Advertising Company for four years during which time I established with ex-TVNZ Colin Folas, "Farming with Pictures", I left the adverting to work full time with FWP. We produced instructional videos, sending them out free to dairy farmers four times a year and twice a year to sheep farmers (a total of approximately 140,000 videos a year). From 1998 to retiring in 2006 I fund-raised for a community radio station and then co-managed a new retirement complex.

News - Displayed on Website	Patrick A Auko	6/03/2025
Before retiring in 2005, I was working as Principal Anilam Husbandry Officer for Ministry of Livestock and Agricultre in Tanzania

News - Displayed on Website	Janet M Britz	6/03/2025
I graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Communication Management in November 2014. Since then, I have gone on to complete the Certificate in Financial Services (Financial Advice) (Level 5) - Investment Advice and I have also gained the NZX Adviser qualification. I have been working as a qualified Financial Adviser in Aotearoa New Zealand for over a decade, providing advice on complex financial products. These include roles as Investment Adviser at some of New Zealand's most reputable wealth firms such as Fisher Funds, Craigs Investment Partners and AdviceFirst. I currently work as a Senior Investment Adviser at First Capital Financial Services where I specialize in private wealth management, intergenerational wealth planning and the transfer of wealth across borders. I advise on all aspects of wealth management and I am particularly passionate about empowering women financially. I am a member of Financial Advice New Zealand (FANZ), Financial Services Council (FSC) Empower Women Working Group, Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), British New Zealand Business Association, NZ Scandinavia Business Association and New Zealand Business Women's Network and regularly run financial education seminars. If you're interested in female empowerment through financial education, intergenerational wealth planning, the transfer of wealth across borders, or would like me to present on a particular topic then please reach out to me.

News - Displayed on Website	Karla C Gichard	6/03/2025
I graduated from Massey in 1998 with BBS, majoring in marketing and communications. After six years at TSB Bank, where I ended up managing TSB's national retail branch and call centre (and also completed my PG DipBank), I had a few years as regional manager with OfficeMax (and completed my PG DipBus - HR management). In 2007, I took on a role with Ozone Coffee as marketing manager, which quickly developed into General Manager and then CEO. I became a shareholder in 2009 and was part of the shareholder team that founded Ozone London, opening our first site in Shoreditch in 2012. Fast forward a few years, two children and covid and my role in international markets wasn't relevant. I continue to be a shareholder and consult to the Board, however in 2020 started Six Acres Farm. Six Acres Farm is now Taranaki's only certified organic market garden, as well as Taranaki's only commercial asparagus farm and also includes a specialty citrus orchard with over 28 varieties of citrus. We supply four retail supermarkets (including Pak n Save), selected hospitality venues, and also operate an online store. We also support our local community as the primary donor of fresh produce to our local foodbank, Waitara Foodbank Pataka Kai and also support local events by providing and making espresso coffee (including at Huirangi School events, the local Hay Day, and also Waitara Gymnastics competitions). My degree and post grad qualifications have been valuable in all of my roles and providing the foundations for career development and growth. This, combined with a strong work ethic, adaptability and a highly focused approach has resulted in being one of the few produce growers that have experienced growth in the economic recession.

News - Displayed on Website	Te Ao K Pritchard	30/01/2025
Still here, progressing into the next exciting phase of my academic journey at Massey University. The experience has been transformative, both personally and professionally, as I continue to expand my knowledge and push the boundaries of my work. Each step brings new challenges and opportunities, and I am grateful for the community and resources that have supported me along the way. Looking forward to what comes next!

News - Displayed on Website	Samuel R Glen	29/01/2025
I have been employed in this role since my final year of my degree. I provide counseling to mandated and voluntary clients. I also facilitate probation groups and an art therapy group. I am also in my second year of a Masters of Creative Arts Therapy.

News - Displayed on Website	Sue Bright	22/01/2025
Enjoyed my time at Massey particularly the field trips. Great for local knowledge and getting to know people. Since leaving I have worked in councils and started my own consultancy. Been involved in community civil defense and coastal development. In retail I took on a leadership role in health and safety. I look forward to continual learning and sharing.

News - Displayed on Website	Ashneel J Prasad	15/01/2025
Since graduating, I have taught in New Zealand, UAE and currently in Kuwait as a teacher.

News - Displayed on Website	Jody E Wintringham	8/01/2025
I was at Massey from 1992-1997. After graduating I worked at Gisborne hospital for 20+ years. Then I became a mother and the job became impossible to do because of the extreme hours, plus too many nights and weekends. I am close to finishing degree number two, a BCS at EIT.

News - Displayed on Website	Antonius C Remmerswaal	18/12/2024
Retired in 2024 from a 40-year career as a Registered Valuer in Hawke's Bay and previously in Wellington.

News - Displayed on Website	Samurdhi M Edirisuriya Kattadi Arachchige	19/11/2024
During my year at Massey, I studied my Master of Construction specializing in Construction Law with a fantastic cohort of students. The varying backgrounds, experiences, enhanced the quality of learning. At Massey, I felt that I was able to gain a current and industry-relevant education. A special shout-out to MUASLA (Sri Lankan Association) who have been progressivly sharing our rich culture with our peers in New Zealand and enriching students' lives outside of academics. Post-study, I've been working at Beca as an assistant project manager getting to work on some major projects, continuing to learn, and applying my skills. I'm getting the chance to meet some incredible people in industry both senior and aspiring talents. I look forward to the path ahead!

News - Displayed on Website	Debra K Martis	19/11/2024
Taught English and Drama Careers Adviser - Secondary School.

News - Displayed on Website	Julia McLean	19/11/2024
I really enjoyed studying at Massey but I am also glad I finally got to graduate and can now spend more time with my family!

News - Displayed on Website	Huong Thu Nguyen	19/11/2024
Worked at a Branding Agency for two years, worked in exporting diary in NZ for 1.5 years. And now working for the family business (founded 1995) in exporting Vietnamese handmade mulberry silk clothes in Hanoi, Vietnam.

News - Displayed on Website	Justin A Raine	19/11/2024
Since graduating from Massey in 2017, I began working at the Civil Aviation Division under the Ministry of Infrastructure in December 2018. Currently I am a Senior Civil Aviation Officer who overlooks the areas of AIR, AIG, ENV, RPAS and International Relations.

News - Displayed on Website	Shenee K Taylor	19/11/2024
Kia ora koutou katoa! While completing my first degree (BHlthSci, Psychology) via distance back in 2014, my team and I launched NZ's largest patient experience and patient-reported outcome measures survey in private surgical practice. Delivered to Southern Cross Insurance members, it has since received over 219,000 responses, enabled data comparisons across private hospitals and clinicians and expanded to include private specialist consultations. In 2017, I moved across to Allied Health and launched a bespoke membership for Chiropractic Assistants under the NZ Chiropractors' Association. This ongoing membership remains the first of its kind worldwide and builds on New Zealand's reputation of being world leading in the Chiropractic industry. Additionally, to my work leading the professional development aspects of this membership, I have obtained a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and joined a leading paediatric OT in servicing the Waikato region. It is incredibly rewarding when I can combine knowledge from both degrees to support a child and their wh?nau through an injury or diagnosis journey. I look forward to a brief hiatus from studying and then moving on to a Masters of Occupational Therapy - if only it was offered through Massey I'd happily return! Wishing you all the best of health and wellbeing. Ng? mihi maioha Shenee Taylor NZROT, BOccTher, BhlthSci (Psychology).

News - Displayed on Website	Ihsan Ullah	19/11/2024
I graduated from Massey University in 2013 with Ph.D degree in plant breeding and genetics. Came back to Pakistan in July 2013 and resumed my duties as senior scientist working on sunflower breeding and later, got promoted to the position of principal scientist. I started working on developing local sunflower hybrids. My first sunflower hybrid completed all the trials beating all the imported and local sunflower hybrids by 15 to 20% in yield. This hybrid named NARC-SUN-2020 got registered with seed certification and registration dept in 2023 and patented with plant breeders' rights registry just recently in 2024.

News - Displayed on Website	June Woolford	19/11/2024
Being accepted to the PG DIp. Psychology Professional Practice, was the final step in my vision of registration as a Psychologist. Having not completed high school, it was a long term plan to achieve undergraduate degree and move on the Master's degree and finally, PG Dip PP and registration. Since graduation and registration, I have worked in a pilot scheme for Dept. of Corrections which was focused on bringing mental health services to the population of people who were engaged with Dept. of Corrections. Following this, I spent some time working in a rural community in the Kimberley, Western Australia. On return I worked in the Oncology service of Southern DHB and currently I am working with people who have a mental injury claim with ACC. I am looking forward to what lies ahead. Ever grateful to Massey and the staff there who help people achieve their dreams!

News - Displayed on Website	Elizabeth M Bang	18/11/2024
Became a Surgical Manager at Dunedin Hospital. Set up Pilot Breast Screening programme in Dunedin Churchill Fellowship to study Breast Screening in Sweden, UK and Scotland. Moved to Hamilton to be part of the team to set up Breast Screen Aotearoa. Became CEO of Hospice Waikato and set up the Hospice Waikato for the region.

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