Lisa Nelson is currently based in the United States.
Lisa Nelson.
The Spark New Zealand board has appointed Lisa Nelson as an independent, non-executive director, effective May 8. Nelson will be a member of both the Audit and Risk Management and the Human Resources and Compensation committees.
An experienced director and venture capital and startup adviser, Nelson is well versed in governance, technology, and innovation. She brings her more than 25 years’ experience across the technology and financial services industries globally, including 15 years in executive finance and business development roles with Microsoft, where she co-founded and served as managing director of Microsoft’s first venture fund. Nelson began her career in public accounting.
Nelson is currently a director on the boards of Destiny Tech100 (a NYSE-listed company where she chairs the Audit Committee), Astra Space (a Nasdaq-listed company where she chairs the Compensation Committee), Seattle Bank, and Banqer (an early-stage New Zealand-based startup). She is also a strategic adviser to Brooks Running, Flying Fish Ventures, Path Ahead Ventures, and Movac, and a former strategic adviser to MATTR Ltd. Nelson is Southeast Asian, Pacific Islander, and American by heritage, and is currently based in the United States.
Spark New Zealand chair Justine Smyth said: “Lisa has wide ranging governance experience, from early-stage startups to listed businesses, and deep experience in technology sectors globally … We look forward to Lisa joining us and supporting Spark’s strategy to empower the people and businesses creating Aotearoa’s tomorrow.”
Nelson said: “The rapid pace of technological transformation brings with it so much opportunity for individuals and businesses alike and … Spark has a pivotal role to play in helping New Zealand accelerate towards its digital future. I’m honoured to join the Spark board and to support the team at this exciting time for the business and sector more broadly.”
In accordance with Spark’s constitution, Nelson will retire and offer herself for re-election at the annual meeting of shareholders in November 2024.
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