Sue Leslie (Chairperson)

Education Consultant; previous Assistant Principal, Diocesan School for Girls

Sue Leslie is a science graduate with a BSc Hons in Botany. She has been a secondary school science teacher for more than 25 years and during that time she has worked with science teachers in many schools, both primary and secondary, to help improve their science teaching. 

She has written and presented papers on science teaching and was invited to speak at a science conference in Malaysia by the Malaysian Education, science and research division of the Ministry of Education. She has worked for Evaluation Associates (an independent education consultancy) and provided strategic advice, PLD and evaluation services to client schools. 

Sue was previously the Assistant Principal at Diocesan School for Girls and is involved in supporting the Sir Paul Callaghan Academy, presenting on assessment and evaluation in science.

After three and a half years in London teaching at a small prep school she has returned home to a safer New Zealnd and is working as a project manager back at Evaluation Associates.

Anthony Briscoe

Formally President and CEO at Southern Cross Cable Network

Anthony is an experienced international businessman and company Director with a passion for science education. He recently retired as CEO and President of Southern Cross Cable Networks based in Bermuda.

Prior to this he worked for 22 years at Telecom New Zealand, most latterly General Manager, International. Anthony has also worked as a professional director (Chairman of HortResearch and as a Director of Airways Corporation, Kordia Group and Wellington Cable Car Ltd). He is currently a Director of Network 4 Learning (N4L).

Over his working life he has held a range of other positions including New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Singapore and Deputy Commissioner General for Expo 88 in Brisbane Australia.

Richard Hartshorn

Professor of Chemistry, University of Canterbury

Dr Richard Hartshorn is currently a Professor of Chemistry in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, and International Dean for the College of Science, at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. He is Secretary General of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for 2016-2019, and is a Fellow of both the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.

Professor Hartshorn has been heavily involved in school and community education, through establishment of a science outreach program at UC, and is the Chair of the Trust Board for the National Science-Technology Roadshow. He has received UC teaching awards, including the Teaching Medal.

Professor Hartshorn devotes much of his spare time to coaching cricket, and in summer he often has a sore arm and shoulder from throwing cricket balls at his sons. He was a New Zealand U19 cricket representative and is a qualified cricket coach.

Chris LeCren

Managing Director, eTime Ltd

Chris Le Cren is the Managing Director of eTime, an education consultancy based in Christchurch since 2004 which specialises in leadership development and performance management in primary schools. His company also provides customised websites and an online learning management system designed specifically for schools.

Chris has extensive experience in school leadership and science education, having been a secondary school principal, a Head of Science, a secondary school science adviser, a chief examiner in Biology for the NZQA, and a senior Biology curriculum writer for the Ministry of Education. He has been a member of the Roadshow Board since 1993.

Beyond the education sector, Chris has a part-time position as the company secretary for Cookie Time Ltd and is chairman of the Board of Directors at the Russley Golf Club in Christchurch.

Renee Raroa (Ngāti Porou)

Learning and Insights Manager & Regional Lead at Toha Foundry

Renee Raroa is the Learning and Insights Manager & Regional Lead at Toha Foundry based in Gisborne. She sits on several boards and regional governance groups that connect council, industry, iwi organisations, and institutions.

Renee is an experienced science educator and has worked with schools across the Tairāwhiti region as well being a committee member and organiser of the Eastland Network Science Fair and an Awapuni School trustee.

Renee has networks throughout the Tairāwhiti community as an impact event organiser, including Startup Weekend Tairāwhiti & Recloaking The Whenua, and also as co-founder and trustee of Tairāwhiti's first impact house, Tāiki E!.

Chris Wikaira

Director of BRG- a Communications and Public Affairs Company

Chris is a Director of BRG- a Communications and Public Affairs Company based in Wellington. He provides specialist Māori communication, media and political advice and analysis. An award-winning journalist with an unrivalled reputation among politicians, business and the public service, he has a particular ability to be able to identify and analyse complex kaupapa Māori issues.

Chris’s tribal affiliations are Ngāti Maniapoto, Nga Puhi and Pākehā. He brings an important perspective to his work as a consultant, providing advice to Māori organisations on how their views can be communicated effectively. He provides advice to private and public organisations on how to engage with Māori at hapū, iwi, regional and national levels.