Our people

Board of Directors, Ambassador and the Executive Team

outside-Dec-2019

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."

a_21112013nzhnssiouxsie13
20210202 COMMS Photography Feb 2021 Joel Rindelaub FW 2805

Dr. Joel Rindelaub

Our Ambassador

"House of Science does everything I wish I could do but better. They provide schools with interactive science demonstrations, a type of learning that is proven to better engage students and help build confidence in the classroom. Each kit is well constructed with innovative activities and themes to promote scientific discovery and develop the next generation of critical thinkers. I am humbled to be an Ambassador for a programme filled with such a forward-thinking group of educators."

House of Science

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board Chair

Jen Scoular

Jen Scoular brings a wealth of international business experience, commercial acumen and governance experience to her role at House of Science. She has spent over 20 years in the primary industry, including 12 years as CEO of NZ Avocado, a diplomatic posting as Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Hamburg Germany and 9 years at Zespri.

Treasurer

Maria Livingstone

Maria is a senior accountant with Young Read Woudberg Ltd in Tauranga. She joined the board as treasurer in September 2019. Maria oversees the financial matters of the board and ensures other directors are adequately informed of financial related issues to enable good decision-making.

Trustee

Natasha van der Wal

Natasha is a senior solicitor at Holland Beckett Law. Her expertise is focused on commercial law, property and Māori 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.

Trustee

Indi Novak

Indi is a Technical Advisor for Drinking Water at the Water Services Authority, Taumata Arowai. She is passionate about improving water quality, making science accessible and empowering communities through education. From Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Porou, Indi brings a young Māori perspective to the House of Science board of directors.

Trustee

Kate Davies

Kate is currently a Business Manager at Ballance AgriNutrients Ltd, with a career in sales and business development, in the primary sector. She has a love of science and believes passionately in the House of Science vision. Kate is proud to be part of helping House of Science make learning science not only accessible, but also exciting, for both students and teachers.

Trustee

Roiana Pihama

Roiana was raised in Te Ao Maaori and is fluent in Te Reo Maaori. She has a passion for Maatauranga Maaori in the science and education sector. Roiana was a former Te Reo Maaori and Science Secondary teacher and has been working in the public sector working to uphold mana motuhake and tino rangatiratanga. Roiana brings a lived Te Ao Maaori perspective to the House of Science board of directors.

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

Sandra is responsible for overseeing the growing number of branches around the country. This includes recruiting and training staff, building relationships with regional supporters and quality control. She is also a dab hand at applying for grants and managing funding contracts.

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.

National Service Delivery Manager

Dr Anne Ryan

Anne brings a wealth of experience in education, having led the Hutt Science Centre since its founding in 2015. Under her leadership, the Centre became a prominent and influential part of the Hutt Valley community. Anne later transitioned into the role of PLD Manager, where she successfully guided the team of House of Science PLD facilitators for several years. She now serves as the National Service Delivery Manager, supporting the House of Science branches on a national scale.  

Office Administrator

Mel McDonald

Mel is the first point of contact at the House of Science head office. She provides administrative support with key projects, programmes and services. Mel's go-getter attitude and enthusiasm makes her an asset to the team.

Scroll to Top