Industry Panelists

Emma MacDonald

Stats New Zealand

Emma is the Director of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI) at Stats NZ. CDEI’s aim is to help people navigate the complex ethical challenges of data use, focusing on practical solutions and recognising that ethics isn’t about perfection—it’s about thoughtfulness and balancing competing priorities.

Although not a data scientist by training, Emma has spent much of her career working alongside data experts and scientists. She brings experience as a policymaker, with a particular focus on the social impacts of digital innovation. Her work is grounded in a commitment to ensuring that data-driven technologies serve people and the places we live.

Madeline Newman

AI Forum

Madeline joined the AI Forum as Executive Director three years ago. She has extensive experience in strategy, transformational change, building and helping people to see the potential that innovative technologies bring.

“I am very excited be leading the AI Forum of New Zealand as Executive Director at such a pivotal time. We have a really engaged Executive Council and the exceptional work our members are producing is essential for AI that innovative, responsible and inclusive that drives leading AI for a thriving Aotearoa”

Kate Kolich

Contact Energy

Kate Kolich has over 25 years of leadership experience in data, digital transformation, and innovation across both public and private sectors. Kate is the Head of Data and Artificial Intelligence at Contact Energy. Kate has received multiple industry awards for data projects and was named one of the top 100 innovators in data and analytics globally by Corinium Global Intelligence in 2024. She is committed to advancing the data science community, co-chairing Women in Data Science New Zealand and serving on the advisory board of the Victoria University of Wellington Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Kate is also an associate of Wellington Uni-Professional, where she teaches a course on responsible data and AI use. She brings a visionary yet pragmatic approach to leveraging emerging technologies, with a strong focus on ethical AI and inclusive innovation.

David Knox

Topologic

David Knox is the founder of Topologic Limited, a New Zealand GeoAI startup focused on applying machine learning to landcover mapping and geospatial consulting. He has led the development of large-scale land-cover mapping, building-footprint extraction, and environmental monitoring systems for government and industry. Previously, he was a founding employee of Wellington-based data science company Lynker Analytics, where he led the data science team for its first five years. David holds an MSc in Artificial Intelligence from Victoria University of Wellington.

Finlay Thompson

Dragonfly

Finlay is Director of Data Science at Dragonfly. As a mathematician, he brings an insightful rigour to solving analytical and technical problems. Finlay also has extensive experience as a database and software engineer. He leads the technical direction at Dragonfly, and has advisory roles at Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Canterbury, and the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE).