Rick Boven
PARTNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
Professional strategist and management consultant with domain expertise and qualifications spanning commercial, economic, social and environmental issues.
Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes
PARTNER
With over 25 years in business strategy in Australasia, Sarah has deep experience in creating growth strategies and improving business operations.
David Cunliffe
PARTNER
With strategy and governance experience across sectors, industries and continents; David brings economic, competition and organisational insight from the war-room to the boardroom.
Danielle Boven
PROJECT LEADER
Strategic consulting experience that spans decades and continents, first in Los Angeles in 1991, then working from Chicago, Hong Kong, Dallas, Sydney, and Auckland.
Sam Tobin
PROJECT LEADER
Experience involving a variety of projects and roles in multi-disciplined teams across varied industries, in environments ranging from small business to multi-national consortia.
James Oliver-Roche
PROJECT LEADER
Strategy consultant with experience spanning consumer products, financial services, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, venture capital, and other sectors.
Anton Boven
CONSULTANT
Leverages his expertise in applied mathematics to solve complex strategic problems, most recently, working alongside major New Zealand infrastructure.
Reuben Cairns-Morrison
CONSULTANT
Reuben has enjoyed taking an analytical approach to solving problems in the agriculture, public health and government sectors, and looks forward to applying these skills elsewhere.
Daniel Cloete
ANALYST
A relentless problem-solver with experience in management consulting, finance/banking, energy production, fast-moving consumer goods, manufacturing and education.
Danielle Benitez
ANALYST
With a background in management consulting and engineering, Danielle has experience across the airport, defence, food and beverage, insurance, mining, and transport industries
Dyan de Silva
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Executive support extraordinaire with experience in management consultancy, engineering, financial services, brand & product management, and media.
Kaitlin Hewlett
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR AND PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Personal Assistant and Office Administrator with 5 years’ experience across real estate, retail and I.T.O sectors.
Rick is one of New Zealand’s leading strategists and management consultants with domain expertise and qualifications spanning commercial, economic, social and environment issues. He combines broad industry experience (spanning finance, manufacturing, distribution, retail, agriculture, infrastructure, transport, energy, communications, online and technology) with functional expertise in strategy, change management, transformations, marketing, finance, operations, information technology, human resources, organisation development, management development, risk management and governance.
In his spare time, Rick pursues his passion for the environment by developing a sustainable farm and writing a book.
Work experience highlights:
- Researcher at Dept. of Social Welfare, consultant statistician and market researcher
- University teaching experience in psychology, research methods, business strategy and managing change
- Founding Partner of The Boston Consulting Group in New Zealand and Partner in the USA
- Director of think tank – The New Zealand Institute
- Director of, or consultant to, several technology-based businesses
- Past Director of ASB Bank
- Current Directorships – Les Mills International, SIMTICS and SimTutor
- Founding Partner of Stakeholder Strategies
Qualifications
- BA (Psychology, Sociology) at Victoria University of Wellington
- BA Hons (First Class, Psychology) at Victoria University of Wellington
- MA (with Distinction, Mathematical Psychology) at Victoria University of Wellington
- MBA at The Australian Graduate School of Management at The University of New South Wales
- PhD (Environmental Management) at The University of Auckland
- Chartered Fellow of the NZ Institute of Directors
With prior project leadership experience in strategy consulting and ministerial and senior policy roles in commerce, economic development, crown enterprise, finance and ICT, David brings insight and experience in competitive behaviour and in commercial interface with regulatory systems.
David is deeply committed to assisting clients to create and add value in both domestic and global markets. He has a strong interest in building the capability of organisations to deliver sustainable competitive advantage to the benefit of shareholders and wider stakeholders.
David has prior consulting experience in agribusiness, innovation, energy, insurance, retail banking, pulp and paper, and infrastructure. He has deep policy and governance expertise in telecommunications, state enterprise, economic and regional development, crown finance, regulatory and competition policy.
David is the proud father of two sons and loves the outdoors.
Work experience highlights:
- Minister of the Crown, including in the Information Technology, Communications, Immigration and Health portfolios. Senior leadership roles included as Leader of the Opposition and as a front bench minister and opposition spokesperson
- Associate Ministerial and senior spokesperson roles in Finance, Economic and Regional Development, State Owned Enterprise, Commerce, Revenue, Innovation/R&D, Tertiary Education, Land Information and Fisheries
- Strategy consulting and project leadership experience with The Boston Consulting Group (1995-99) in a wide range of industry sectors from dairy to energy, insurance to energy and infrastructure
- Foreign and trade policy experience with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade, including postings in Washington, D.C. and Canberra, Australia (1988-94)
- Governance experience as a trustee with The Asia New Zealand Foundation, The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust, and on an Anglican Church vestry. David is a member of the Institute of Directors of New Zealand
Qualifications
- MPA (Harvard) Business and Government, Fulbright Scholar, Kennedy Memorial Fellow 1995
- BA (Hons), Otago University 1987, first class in Political Studies
- Dip. Soc. Sci. (Economics, Distinction), Massey University 1989
- HFCSNZ, HFIICTNZ, MInstDNZ
With over 25 years in business strategy, Sarah has deep experience in creating growth strategies and improving business operations. She seeks out projects that have the potential to make a positive difference to an organisation and its wider stakeholders through applying customer insights and commercial rigour. Her work has most often been in consumer goods and services, agribusiness, and retail and distribution, but she has also worked extensively in industrial manufacturing and distribution.
Work experience highlights:
- Freelance strategy consultant in New Zealand, working with senior managers and boards
- Employee and contractor with The Boston Consulting Group in Auckland for twenty years
- Supported BCG’s Consumer & Retail Practice in Australasia
- Brand manager with Unilever in the UK
- Co-founder of Professionelle Foundation, a charity supporting the career needs of New Zealand’s working women
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Geography at Cambridge University
- MA at Cambridge University
- MBA at London Business School
Sam has worked in a range of industries, particularly in science, technology, and engineering. In his time at Stakeholder Strategies Sam has focused on development of competitive strategy and associated transformation and change programs for Infrastructure, Investment, Professional services, FMCG, and Health organisations. He has experience with philanthropic and NGO activities focused on social, economic and environmental outcomes, as well as advising start-ups and due-diligence for Angel and VC investors.
Outside of work he is focused on growing old semi-disgracefully and has recently bought a motorbike and a skateboard. He is an avid but slowing cyclist, and enjoys exploring New Zealand with his wife and two children.
Work experience highlights:
- Project Leader and Consultant at Stakeholder Strategies since 2014
- Improvement Manager at Auckland DHB
- Trustee of Carbon Farming Group
- Advisor to the Tindall Foundation
- Network manager for Kea New Zealand
- Work-package manager for European Space Agency
- Various engineering roles in New Zealand and the UK
Qualifications
- BE (Mechanical) at The University of Auckland
A strategy consultant with experience that spans decades and continents: starting in Los Angeles in 1991, then working from Chicago, Hong Kong, Dallas, Sydney, and Auckland with the Boston Consulting Group. Danielle has diverse experience across various organisational structures and performance objectives, working on economic and social policy with co-operative, not-for-profit, and for-profit entities.
Work experience highlights:
- Boston Consulting Group in Los Angeles, Chicago, Hong Kong, Dallas, Sydney and Auckland
- Researcher at the New Zealand Institute
- Independent strategy and management consultant
- Multi-engine Instrument Flight Instructor, USA and New Zealand
Qualifications
- BA (Government, Economics and Accounting) at Claremont McKenna College
- Master of Management at The Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
James is passionate about helping New Zealand’s leaders and organisations succeed. His experience spans tech, media, financial services, infrastructure, FMCG, professional services, agriculture, venture capital and investments, and government. He has developed a broad functional repertoire in strategy, organisational design, transformations, digital, and corporate finance.
Outside of work James leads the Auckland Global Shapers Hub, a sister organisation to The World Economic Forum. He enjoys studying and reading on a wide range of topics including technology, psychology, business strategy, history, and geopolitics. In the weekend he loves exploring New Zealand’s beautiful bushes and beaches.
Work experience highlights:
- Project Leader, Consultant and Analyst at Stakeholder Strategies since 2013
- Co-Curator at World Economic Forum’s Auckland Global Shapers Hub
- Advisor to, or leader of, various social initiatives and impact projects
- Investment banking experience with Macquarie’s Infrastructure and Real Asset’s team and Merrill Lynch’s Financial Institutions team in Sydney
- Consulting experience with PwC’s Strategy team in Sydney and IBM’s Global Business Services team in Auckland
Qualifications
- BCom (Economics, Finance) at The University of Auckland
Anton is a highly analytical thinker with a background in mathematics and physics. He spent several years honing his leadership, interpersonal, and problem solving skills as a secondary school teacher at Lynfield College in West Auckland. At Stakeholder Strategies he has gained commercial strategy experience in infrastructure, FMCG, industrial distribution, agriculture, professional services and creative industries.
Anton is passionate about taking action towards environmental sustainability. He is also the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in a Rock band.
Work experience highlights:
- Analyst at Stakeholder Strategies since 2016
- Mathematics teacher at Lynfield College
Qualifications
- BSc (Applied Mathematics) at The University of Auckland
- Grad Dip Tch (Secondary) at The University of Auckland
Reuben is passionate about solving business problems. He has experience working in the primary industries, tertiary education, government, and health sectors. Reuben enjoys working with both quantitative and qualitative business problems, and has developed skills in leading and managing projects across a range of fields. He is experienced in analytical research and writing, and likes to use his background in the sciences wherever possible.
Reuben has an interest in sustainable and ethical business practices, and applies this thinking to his everyday work.
Outside of work Reuben is a keen surfer and spends most weekends on Auckland’s west coast looking for waves.
Work experience highlights:
- Senior analyst at Stakeholder Strategies
- Associate at Scarlatti, a boutique management consultancy serving the primary industries
- Founding and running a GIS consultancy serving local government and corporate farming clients
- Founding Sherpa Surf Guide, New Zealand’s leading surf guide and forecasting app
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons), Environmental Studies and Geographic Information Science, University of Auckland
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Daniel is driven to help New Zealand organisations navigate complex issues through methodical analysis. He has an background in engineering and finance with experience in industries that include energy, manufacturing, finance and banking, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), education and management consulting. Daniel has developed an appreciation of the strategic, executive, social and technical components of problem solving across his experiences and enjoys delivering this expertise to every engagement.
Outside of work, Daniel is an avid sports player with an interest in cricket, football, touch rugby, diving and sailing. He also seeks to give back to the community by contributing to local boards and charities. Daniel boasts a broad spectrum of interests that include economics, politics, sports, science, technology and philosophy. Alongside these interests is the constant thirst to learn more.
Work experience highlights:
- Delivered a technical acumen to strategy development at Deloitte Consulting in order to lead technology driven change for New Zealand organisations
- Unearthed financial insights for significant NZX50 clients as part of the investment banking team at Deutsche Craig’s Investment banking unit
- Contributed to education governance as a member of the Albany Senior High School Board of Trustees and leader of the school’s finance committee
- Optimised energy generation and product quality as an engineer at Fonterra Whareroa
- Contributed to wireline operations as a member of the Schlumberger team in New Zealand
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering with first class honours, specialising in chemical and materials engineering.
- Bachelor of Commerce completed as a senior scholar, specialising in finance.
Danielle thrives on the challenge of solving difficult problems, using data driven analysis to help her clients achieve their business objectives. She has a background in management consulting and engineering, with experience across the airport, defence, food and beverage, insurance, mining, and transport industries.
Danielle is passionate about the environment and campaigned for individuals to take small steps in their lives to collectively move towards a sustainable future. She also has a passion for gender equality, working with a non-profit organisation to increase STEM participation in young girls.
In her downtime, Danielle loves a good cookbook or show, experimenting in the kitchen, and obviously, eating good food. She also has a keen interest in visual arts and its history, fascinated by how historical context influences the different art movements and materials.
Work experience highlights:
- Management Consultant at Beca Ltd, while also engaging in project management and industrial simulation
- Member of project team awarded with a Ministry of Defence Award of Excellence to Industry 2018
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours, specialising in Engineering Science
Dyan has had an eclectic career spanning roles in a diverse range of industries including; Management Consultancy, Mechanical Engineering, Financial Services, Brand & Product Management, and all Media platforms. With Dyan comes over 22 years’ experience and an exceptionally high skill level to assist and elevate any company.
“My professional goal is to combine my knowledge and experience in all administrative and creative areas, to deliver the best support to my team, employer and our clients.”
Work experience highlights:
- PA to Senior Vice Presidents at The Boston Consulting Group in Auckland and London
- PA to Supermodel and Businesswoman Elle Macpherson
- EA to NZ Country Manager for a leading multi-disciplinary infrastructure & engineering firm
- Graphic design, marketing development and online media experience
- Event and conference management
- Research and project management
Kaitlin’s career began in the front lines of the retail industry which inspired her focus on customer service and communication skills in the workplace.
From there she moved into administration roles as a Personal Assistant and Office Manager, supporting Executives and ensuring the smooth and safe running of offices. She enjoys supporting her colleagues and clients while also applying her time to project work and implementing efficient procedures in the office.
Kaitlin has active interests in environmental preservation, New Zealand history, and hiking – which she pursues in her spare time.
Work experience highlights:
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- Executive Assistant to CEO, COO of Harcourts Group Ltd
- Personal Assistant to General Manager of New Zealand at Billabong
- Office Manager at Competenz
- Event Management
- Trained Health and Safety Representative
- Induction Process Development
Qualifications:
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- Currently completing a Bachelor of Business (Communications) at Massey University