With over 25 years’ experience in arts education, Dr Suzette Major is currently the Director of SAE NZ. A passionate advocate for the creative industries, Suzette is committed to empowering emerging talent and helping creatives build meaningful, successful careers across music, audio, screen, and related creative sectors.

Former director of Creative Entrepreneurship at The University of Auckland, Elisabeth Vaneveld holds the role of Executive Chair, New Zealand Dance Festival Trust. In 2019, she was awarded an MNZM for her services to arts management.

As the Executive Director of The Big Idea Charitable Trust from 2006 to 2016, Elisabeth established TBI Assist, a social enterprise that generated income to support The Big Idea online. TBI Assist was contracted to design and deliver ART Venture for Arts Regional Trust, which became a world-leading acceleration programme for creative entrepreneurs.

Elisabeth is committed to co-creating arts and cultural projects that provide the means for creative professionals in every industry to join forces to innovate to benefit the future of humanity and the biosphere.

Sam Cunnane is a passionate advocate for creative arts education who has worked across the secondary and tertiary sectors during his 20+ year career. As a Group Director at Wintec, and Chair of Creative Waikato, he blends strategic leadership with deep creative insight—championing innovation and meaningful partnerships that enrich learning and cultural expression.

Associate Professor Vanessa Byrnes (She/ Her) is a director, actor, producer, writer, and acting teacher with a diverse career spanning over thirty years in film, theatre, TV, and tertiary education. Her work reflects a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of creativity, and the essential role of artists in shaping and reflecting a flourishing society.  Vanessa has worked extensively as a director and educator in China, Canada, South Africa, London, the USA, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand, and values the diversity that cultural exchange provides. She is currently Head of Creative Industries at Unitec: Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka in Auckland.