Our people
Board of directors, ambassador and the executive team
Chris Duggan
Our Founder
Chris trained as a Biochemist and taught secondary school science for 15 years. Throughout this time, Chris developed a growing sense of concern about the lack of science knowledge students had when arriving at high school. When she read an E.R.O. report in 2013 that stated over 70% of NZ's primary and intermediate schools lack an effective science programme, she decided something needed to be done. She left her middle management and teaching role mid 2013 and the rest - as they say - is history.


Dr Siouxsie Wiles
Our Ambassador
“The House of Science model is brilliant – the science kits are amazing and make science accessible for all primary schools. Science is a resource-hungry subject so by sharing these kits among a group of schools it allows access to quality resources covering the whole science curriculum. I feel very honoured to be given this role as Ambassador for the House of Science as I help the charity raise awareness of their amazing and important work."
House of Science
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair
Kirstin Mead
Kirstin joined the board in January 2018. She is a Customer & Cluster Impact Manager in the AgriTech Sector team at Callaghan Innovation where she supports Agritech companies to globally succeed. With a strong background in economics and strategic development Kirstin brings a can-do attitude to the table as she leads the board of directors.

Treasurer
Maria Livingstone

Director
Joseph Wright
Joseph has spent his adult life in the service of developing people. He now considers himself an agent for producing potential – closing the gap between what is and what can be. He is a secondary science and biology teacher and a founding trustee of the Wright Family Foundation who are cornerstone partners of the House of Science.

Director
Natasha van der Wal
Natasha is a senior solicitor at Holland Beckett Law. Her expertise is focused on commercial law, property and Maori legal issues. Her academic achievements include a LLB and BSc from the University of Auckland. She was admitted to the Bar in 2009. Natasha brings a fresh legal face to the House of Science board of directors.

Director
Laura Sessions
Laura is an experienced higher education and business professional with governance experience in non-profits and small to medium enterprises. She is a senior consultant in international education and a freelance science writer and editor. Her strengths lie in communications, strategic planning and innovation. She is a member of the Institute of Directors.

Director
Mackenzie Nicol

Director
Brian Staunton
Brian is the SVP of Global Sales, Marketing & Partnerships at TheAtlas. He is an accomplished commercial leader, certified management consultant and independent director. He brings extensive global experience in growing businesses from start-up phase to significant volumes and profitability. Brian is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants.

Associate Director
Craig Bryant
Craig is a project director and principal at Beca. He has managed multi-million dollar, multi-year programmes of work and brings strengths in strategic and complex systems thinking. Craig is also the Board chair for the House of Science Wairarapa branch, having been involved in the formation, set up and running of this charitable trust since its inception.
House of Science
Executive Team

CEO
Chris Duggan
Chris is our founder and chief visionary. She leads a growing team that develop new science resource kits, manufacture kits to send all over the country, support branches with kit consumables, apply for funding, provide administration support and train teachers to become more proficient science educators. Chris sits on a variety of educational advisory committees and has won numerous awards for her work establishing the House of Science.

Business Development Manager
Sandra Kirikiri

Kit Developer & Ops Manager
Jane Hoggard
Jane has been part of the House of Science since 2015 and has created many of the incredible science resources in our growing kit library. She has the best job – researching, planning and trialling all the exciting activities in the popular kits. Overseeing the head office operations requires careful people and product management, something she excels at.

PLD Manager
Dr Anne Ryan
Anne has an extensive background in education and leads the growing team of House of Science PLD facilitators. Before starting her role with us she was at the helm of the Hutt Science Centre which she managed since its inception in 2015 which grew into a formidable presence in the Hutt Valley community.
