Callaghan Innovation

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Vic Crone

Chief Executive

Vic has significant executive and governance experience in technology and innovation. She brings a strong customer focus, and a track record of leading and implementing strategy, and building organisational culture.

Vic was previously the Managing Director of Xero, NZ and New Markets, following executive roles at Chorus and Telecom New Zealand.

Vic is Chair of the Stats NZ Advisory Board and Figure.NZ Board. She has also been an Independent Director on the Boards of a number of companies and organisations in the technology sector, including RedShield, Creative HQ and the Hi-Tech Trust.

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Dylan Shell

Acting Chief Financial Officer

Seconded from KPMG, Dylan is currently a Director in the KPMG Private Enterprise team based in Hamilton.  Dylan has 16 years of accounting experience, including with KPMG and a large multinational manufacturing and sales organisation. 

In his role at KPMG, Dylan works with a large number of clients across a range of industries in general compliance, business strategy, and performance, and assists in a virtual CFO capacity.

Dylan is passionate about partnering with his clients to help them surpass their financial, business, and personal goals, whilst challenging them to think outside the box and soundboard their business ideas.

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Jen Cherrington

Chief Innovation Enablement Officer

As a member of the leadership team, Jen leads Callaghan Innovation’s digital function and team, helping the organisation utilise the tools and technology needed to look after our very diverse range of customers and their innovation needs.

With 20+ years in global digital/technology roles across a variety of listed businesses as well as startups, Jen brings broad industry experience that focuses on data driven and UX optimised customer led outcomes.

Most recently CTO at Genesis Energy in NZ, Jen worked previously in the UK for 25 years with the likes of eBay, Amazon, British Telecom and Electrocomponents and currently sits on the technology committee as an independent advisor for Foodstuffs NI.

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Nicola Kitchen

Executive Lead - Health & Safety

Nic has significant experience in risk and health and safety, bringing a proven track record of developing new foundations, alignment of programmes and building a safety culture.

Nic was previously the New Zealand Mining Board Manager at WorkSafe, and having worked on the Pike River tragedy she was responsible for implementing two of the Royal Commission recommendations.

She represented New Zealand on the Austraslaian Mining Board, and led the development of the first Mining Continued Professional Development Framework for both New Zealand and Australia.  

Nic was also responsible for setting up the cross-agency He Poutama Rangatahi Youth Programme, which provides funding for low socioeconomic areas across New Zealand.

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Paul Linton

Chief Innovation Expertise Officer 

Paul is responsible for harnessing the unique innovation expertise we have in Callaghan Innovation, and bringing it together to deliver a unified customer experience. 

The customer delivery teams under Paul’s direction include Biotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, and IoT and Data Solutions. Paul also leads the current sector teams, which include AgriFood, CleanTech & HighTech Products, Digital, and Health, and the commercial businesses of Callaghan Innovation including KiwiStar Optics, GlycoSyn and the Measurement Standards Laboratory of NZ (MSL). 

Paul has a background in international business and economic development in both the private and public sectors. He’s held senior positions with MetService, Airways, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) and Objective Corporation.

He has worked as NZ’s trade commissioner in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, and his industry background spans a range of technology organisations – incorporating software, data, science, engineering and manufacturing.

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Stefan Korn

Chief Product Officer

Stefan Korn has launched and developed numerous successful business ventures, many of which are now operating in Australia, the US and Europe.

In his prior role as CEO of Creative HQ, Stefan led a team that launched accelerators for startups, government and corporates, inclusive innovation initiatives such as the Korero Matauranga (NZ's Education Summits), and international innovation training programmes.  

Stefan has a PhD in Neural Networks/Artificial Intelligence and an MBA in International Business. He has also authored a range of books on early-stage venture development as well as parenting for dads. In 2010 Stefan was recognised as a New Zealander of the Year by North & South Magazine for innovation in parenting education.