Meet the Team

 ​A group of dedicated people who are the operational hub of the Popup Business School Aotearoa.

​These are the people who present the PopUp Business School Aotearoa; people who you will see when you attend the Popup Business School.

We also have an amazing Think Tank who believe deeply in the way that PopUp Business School can positively impact  communities throughout Aoteaora. 

THE TEAM

Tony Henderson-Newport    Chief kiwi

Kiwi to the bone, Tony spent many years living in the UK, returning to New Zealand in 2014. Tony is a business coach and mentor with a specific interest business sustainability and how an individual or business core message can be communicated. Tony also teaches entrepreneurship and the Art of Pitch at universities  and business programmes in New Zealand and overseas. Tony also works with start-up and stay-ups having also worked in the IT space in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, he is an experienced project, programme and portfolio manager. 

hemi Ruka (Gym Addict)
Social Media Guru

Hemi is grateful to have had a multicultural upbringing between New Zealand and Papa New Guinea. He has taught English in Nepal, has a career in DJ'ing and has fund raised over $1m in the UK for Greenpeace and Wateraid. Returning to Aotearoa in the 2,000' and 2010 he began his deep dive in Maori cultural studies in Whangarei. He has learned to read and write over 40 different languages including Mandarin and Arabic amongst others. In his spare time Hemi will live at the gym, actually live at the gym :-).

Adrian TE Patu
​FACILITATOR & cultural Advisor

Adrian has worked for various organisations including government departments and agencies, community organisations, education institutions, hospitals, health providers and also iwi. His roles have included social worker, youth worker, counsellor, educator, trainer, cultural supervisor, health promoter, cultural advisor, MC, facilitator and on occasion, he's pulled the odd rabbit out of a hat.
His experience, knowledge, networks and links are wide-ranging at a local, national and international level. He has extensive experience in governance and leadership roles in public health, schools, not for profit, social service agencies, sports clubs and various government and local government roles.

Arzoo Syeddah
Facilitator & Alumni Lead

Arzoo is the perfect example of third culture individual, having been born in Pakistan and raised in Switzerland. She followed her soul’s calling and relocated to New Zealand recently. Arzoo has a background in startups and sustainability and is keen to support entrepreneurs in achieving their dream of running their own business. Apart from her interests in writing, hiking and keeping fit through running; Arzoo is a fierce advocate for women rights and helps them find their voice.

Logan Elliott
​FACILITATOR

Christchurch born; Logan first studied Biotechnology and genetics at the University of Otago, as he was passionate about science and technology. After completing a masters in entrepreneurship Logan co-founded 'Highly Flammable' - a New Zealand wide creative entertainment company with Fire Dancers, Stilt Walkers and wacky characters including the incredible 'Mirrorman'. In 2017 he created 'Volcano Retreats' and brings together entrepreneurs from around the world to remote volcanic locations such as the beautiful island of Stromboli in the mediterranean. Logan also teaches entrepreneurship at universities and business programs around New Zealand to help the next wave of entrepreneurs to changed the world. And yes, he can literally breath fire...

Victoria Panasenko
Report Design

A legend at graphics design. The wizard behind creating our graphics and reports.
Vic is an extremely talented designer from Ukraine, with brilliant energy and extreme work drive. Head designer at MAVKART, we are more than pleased to have her on-board.
Feel free to contact her through her personal website or through PeoplePerHour.
She also makes pretty kick-ass gingerbread Christmas trees. (See image)

Maria Henry
Project Manager (The Glue)

A proud Kiwi, Maria is focussed on helping others find their passion and bring their dreams to reality.  Maria has a social conscience and is keen to make a positive difference in people's lives through various avenues.  She has volunteered in New Zealand and overseas including building homes in far flung countries such as Ethiopia and Zambia with Habitat for Humanity.  She feels incredibly humbled and honoured to be helping with the fantastic PopUp Business School Aotearoa and looks forward to seeing participants achieve their goals.

Keitha McLennan
​​FINANCIAL cONTROLLER

A born and raised Kiwi Keitha has a strong passion for helping Aotearoa's small businesses with their accounting requirements. As well as being a mother and wife Keitha has spent the last ten years working in the accounting and finance industry. Keitha loves the positive change PopUp Business School is creating in Aotearoa's communities and looks forward to being a part of the PopUp Business Schools ongoing success.

Mabel NYahwa
Fundraising & sPONSORSHIP

Mabel comes from a Legal and Media background and has close to two decades of Fund Management and Contract Management Specialist experience within diverse Public Sector environments including public Funding and Broadcasting Sectors.
She is the Founder of Uplift_Lift Up, an organisation providing simplified professional services, practical tools and personalised solutions that aim to promote the well-being of people, families and communities.
In her spare time Mabel volunteers her time with charitable organisations particularly refugee and migrant communities.
Mabel is excited to be part of the PopUp Business School Aotearoa team and the social impact the PopUp Business School is making in people, business and communities across Aotearoa. 

TONY HENDERSON-NEWPORT
​Founder PopUp Business School Aotearoa

A Kiwi to the bone, Tony spent many years living in the UK, returning to New Zealand in 2014. Tony is a coach and mentor with specific interest in how an individual or business core message can be communicated. Tony also works with start-up and stay-ups and having worked in the IT space in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe is an experienced project, programme and portfolio manager. Tony works with Victoria University's young entrepreneurs. He has spoken at Westminster through his work with CEO's in the UK and been to an audience at No 10 Downing Street for his work in raising funds for charity. Tony is an author, a poet, a proud dad, passionate about all things Kiwi and has been delving into what makes up the Kiwi DNA... in other words, “what makes a Kiwi tick?”

Meet The UK PopUp Team!

PopUp Business School was set up in 2012 by Alan Donegan and Simon Paine to respond to the state of the jobs market and the quality of intervention available to those people who want to make their own money.  Traditional types of enterprise support don't work for a lot of people. The PopUp Business School was designed to fill the gap by providing high quality inspiration, support, interventions and acceleration for enterprising people.  We want to help build sustainable communities by enabling people to create wealth.  People that find the strength and courage to develop business ideas deserve the best possible help. We inspire, excite, build confidence and show individuals the tools available to give them every chance we can to succeed.

MEET THE FOUNDERS!

Alan Donegan

When setting up his own business 9 years ago Alan went to Business Link who did more to scare him off starting than they did help!  This experience inspired Alan to turn entrepreneurship on its head and he developed the PopUp Business School to support the people that are scared off by business plans, debt and bank managers. Alan’s first business was Enjoy Presenting running courses for people like Microsoft, Pepsi and Air Arabia.  In his spare time Alan loves comedy, making pizza and occasionally playing with Lego. Winner of the 2016 Entrepreneur Of The Year Award at the Inspire Awards.
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simon paine

Simon has coached people from all walks of life: senior leaders of global brands to cake-making start-ups. After founding a website that went big state-side, he became regional manager for Business Link's start-up coaching & mentoring service, was Head of Centre for Entrepreneurship at one of the UK's leading colleges and after a three year stint as a collaborative leadership expert, he returned to the PopUp Business School to finish what he started.

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