Tech entrepreneur and augmented/virtual reality producer Aliesha Staples has been announced as the newest member of the Netball New Zealand (NNZ) Board while Matt Whineray has also been confirmed as the new Board Chair.
With a background and experience in digital innovation, research and development, film, television, media and broadcasting, Staples brings varied skills to her role.
Staples said she was looking forward to joining the Netball New Zealand Board and bringing something different to the board table.
“Stepping into Netball is new to me but I’m excited and believe I have an eye for innovation and business development,” she said. “I feel I can think outside the box and look for opportunities not yet seen and hopefully add to the value that the Board brings to Netball in New Zealand.”
Staples is the founder and CEO of StaplesVR – an emerging technology, film and games company based in Auckland and with offices in Australia and the United Kingdom – working with the likes of Warner Bros, Disney, and Paramount.
Staples is also co-founder of Click Studios, a collective workspace for creative technology companies with a focus to make the creative tech sector one of New Zealand’s leading exporters.
Her governance experience includes organisations such as TVNZ, New Zealand Football Foundation (Chair), Institute of Directors and the Antarctic Heritage Trust.
She remains a member of the Institute of Directors, NZ Tech, New Zealand Cinematographer Society and Women in Film and Television.
New NNZ Board Chair Matt Whineray said they were delighted to welcome Staples onto the Board and were looking forward to working with her.
“Aliesha has extensive governance experience and brings an impressive range of skills. She will certainly bring a creative side with her to the NNZ Board,” he said.
Whineray has stepped into the Chair role following the departure of former Board Chair Allison Fergusson who reached the end of her three terms (nine years) on the Board in September.
He was co-opted on to the NNZ Board in 2017 having come from the financial industry.