Sarah Russell beat more than 200 global applicants for the job.
Sarah Russell.
A Kiwi banker who founded an AI software company in Australia has been chosen from more than 200 global applicants to head a new technology development agency in Queenstown.
Sarah Russell will be the inaugural chief executive of Technology Queenstown (TQ), set up earlier this year to build a “robust” technology sector for the Queenstown Lakes District.
TQ chair Roger Sharp said Russell brought a wealth of experience and strategic leadership to the role, and was no stranger to building something from the ground up.
After an international career in banking, Russell co-founded Sydney-based AI software company Elula in 2017. Its products are now used by some of Australia's largest banks.
“We are privileged to have an individual of Sarah’s calibre to lead TQ,” said Sharp. “Sarah’s experience and drive will see us expand our impact on the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago as we embark on making a material difference to the future economy of the region through building out its tech sector.”
Originally from Christchurch, Russell holds a Master of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of Canterbury.
She and her family will relocate from Sydney in January. She begins the role on January 28.
Russell said she was looking forward to building on the success the agency had already achieved.
“The progress TQ has made since its launch on 31 January this year, including the support of its corporate partners to get it off the ground, has been phenomenal,” she said.
The global search for the position was run pro bono by Brannigans Partner Nick Carter.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
