At Auckland Startup Week (Oct 12 - 16), the spotlight is on founders, investors and unicorn hopefuls with the next big idea. But behind the scenes, helping to grow Auckland's innovation and tech ecosystem is a network of incredible women working out of Auckland Council’s Economic Development Office (EDO) and EDO hubs like GridAKL and Te Puna Creative Hub.
Here's nine awesome women at Auckland Council’s Economic Development Office making a big difference.
1. Pam Ford, General Manager, Economic Development Office
“Game changing ideas can come from anywhere. Our role is to create the conditions that help innovators and entrepreneurs turn those ideas into businesses, jobs and lasting economic value for Auckland.” - Pam Ford
Behind many of Auckland’s efforts to support innovation and business growth, Pam is a long-time leader in the region’s economic development sector. She works tirelessly to connect people, ideas and opportunities, helping create the conditions for startups and established businesses alike to succeed. Her commitment to fostering innovation, attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic growth has made a lasting contribution to Auckland’s business community and the wider region.
2. Marissa Brindley - Head of Investment
“Auckland has all the ingredients to be a leading city for entrepreneurship, and every new connection, partnership and success story helps strengthen that future.” - Marissa Brindley
For more than a decade, Marissa has been helping bring together the people, ideas and organisations shaping Auckland’s innovation future. From supporting the growth of innovation precincts such as GridAKL to building international partnerships and championing entrepreneurship, her work has focused on creating opportunities for Auckland businesses to connect, collaborate and scale. Through initiatives like Auckland Startup Week, she continues to support a vibrant community of founders and innovators who are helping to shape the city’s economic future.
3. Jasmine Millet, Head of Sector Development
“Every production tells a story, but it also creates opportunities for local people, businesses and talent. The screen industry plays an important role in showcasing Auckland to the world while supporting jobs, skills and creativity here at home.” - Jasmine Millet
Whether it’s film, technology or creative enterprise, Jasmine has long been a champion for the industries helping Auckland tell its story. Her work has supported the growth of creative and innovation-led sectors that make the region a vibrant place to live, work and create.
4. Keren Phillips – Programme Manager, Economic Growth and Local Economic Development
“Successful startups don’t grow in isolation. When founders have access to the right networks, knowledge and support, they can build strong businesses that create jobs, solve real problems and make a lasting impact.” - Keren Phillips
As a former co-founder of HRTech company Weirdly, Keren knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with building a startup, making her a valued mentor, advisor and advocate for innovation.
Keren is a familiar and trusted figure within Auckland’s startup community, helping founders turn promising ideas into sustainable, high-growth businesses. Through her role with Startup Aotearoa and the Auckland Council Economic Development Office, she designs and delivers programmes that strengthen connections across the startup ecosystem and support entrepreneurs right from the very start of their journey.
5. Catriona Stewart, Principal Advisor - Innovation
“Entrepreneurship is ultimately about people having the courage to act on an idea. When we support that journey, through advice, resources, connections, and creative friendly spaces, we create opportunities not just for individual founders, but for the families and communities they belong to.” - Catriona Stewart
Known for her ability to connect people and ideas, Catriona has helped foster the relationships that underpin Auckland’s thriving startup community. Through many years of establishing startup hubs, supporting entrepreneurs and building networks across the innovation ecosystem, she has played an important role in creating a culture of collaboration that helps founders succeed.
6. Pauli Sosa, Project Manager, Investment
“Moving to a new country taught me how important it is to feel welcomed and included. When people can find their community, they're more confident to share ideas, take chances and build something new.” - Pauli Sosa
From new migrant to startup community champion, and now project manager for Auckland Startup Week, Pauli has built a reputation for helping people find their footing in Auckland's innovation ecosystem. Through her work supporting founders, newcomers and entrepreneurs, she has helped create pathways for people from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the city's growing startup sector.
7. Eve Charles – Startup Hub Manager, GridAKL
“The future is shaped by the people building, testing and creating new ideas today. When founders are connected to a strong community, great things happen.” - Eve Charles
Since opening in 2015, Auckland Council’s GridAKL, based in the Wynyard Quarter, has contributed an estimated $424 million annually to Auckland’s GDP, but for Eve, startups are about more than just revenue generation, they are about people.
As Startup Hub Manager at GridAKL, she has helped build a vibrant community where founders can connect, collaborate and learn from one another. Her belief in entrepreneurship and talent for bringing people together have made her a familiar and valued figure in Auckland’s innovation sector, helping create the conditions for startups to grow and contribute to the city’s economic future.
8. Sinead Watson, GridAKL Community Manager
“Some of the world’s most exciting ideas are being built right here in Auckland. We encourage founders to think beyond borders, and when they do, the possibilities are endless.” - Sinead Watson
Every day, Sinead is surrounded by people turning big ideas into reality. Working with the founders and innovators who call GridAKL home, she is helping foster a community built on ambition, creativity and mutual support, inspiring the next wave of businesses shaping the region’s future.
9. Bella Cocker, Community Coordinator, GridAKL
“I’ve noticed that the magic often happens at the Grid between the formal sessions, when a person meets someone new at the coffee machine or the lunch table and starts a conversation that leads somewhere unexpected. Creating those moments is what our community is all about.” - Bella Cocker
For Bella, a thriving startup community is built one event, conversation and shared experience at a time. At GridAKL, she helps bring people together through the workshops, meetups, pitch sessions and networking events that keep Auckland’s innovation ecosystem buzzing. From showcasing local startups to hosting international visitors, Bella plays a vital part in creating the energy and sense of belonging that makes GridAKL such a special place for founders and innovators.