Industry practitioners - Leading with AI: The Strategy Roadmap
Industry practitioners
The programme draws on experienced contributors from industry and academia, selected for their real‑world experience of AI adoption, governance, and organisational transformation. Contributors may vary by module to ensure perspectives remain current and grounded in practice.
Matt Browning - Co‑CEO, Incredible AI
Matt Browning is an entrepreneur and recognised leader in applied AI implementation. He is Co‑CEO and Co‑Founder of Incredible AI, a globally distributed agency helping organisations navigate and implement AI and custom software solutions across Aotearoa New Zealand, the UK, the US, and Canada.
Described by the New Zealand Herald as a “trailblazer” in AI, Matt brings a strong execution focus shaped by building, scaling, and exiting technology businesses. He previously founded and sold the software agency Salt + Tonic and currently serves on the board of DOTDOT, a New Zealand‑founded technology company delivering solutions for Fortune 500 brands.
Matt contributes practical insight into turning AI ambition into operational outcomes.
Stephen Johnson - Co‑CEO, Incredible AI
Stephen Johnson has spent his career helping organisations solve complex technology and operational challenges, from Fortune‑scale enterprises to scaling organisations.
As Co‑CEO of Incredible AI, Stephen works closely with operations leaders across New Zealand to implement AI in practical, business‑first ways. His experience includes working with organisations such as Red Stag, PGG Wrightson, the Ministry of Education, and Eves Real Estate, as well as delivering the Government’s MBIE AI Pilot programme nationwide.
Stephen brings a pragmatic, operational perspective on what it takes to adopt AI at scale.
Professor Albert Bifet - Director, Artificial Intelligence Institute, The University of Waikato
Professor Albert Bifet is one of New Zealand’s leading voices on strategic, responsible, and real‑world AI adoption.
As Director of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of Waikato, Albert works with senior leaders and policymakers to translate AI potential into credible strategy, governed implementation, and measurable impact. He leads national initiatives applying AI across productivity, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and infrastructure.
A contributor to international AI standards and New Zealand’s national AI strategy, Albert brings a grounded perspective on governance, regulation, and long‑term value creation, informed by systems operating in real‑world environments.
Nyssa Waters - CEO & Co‑Founder, Possibl AI
Nyssa Waters is Chief Executive Officer and Co‑Founder of Possibl AI, a global AI consulting and professional services company, and Ritual AI, an AI‑native platform‑as‑a‑service for enterprise application development.
Nyssa works with senior leaders and boards to drive AI‑enabled transformation that is commercially grounded, responsible, and execution‑focused. She brings deep experience helping organisations move from AI ambition to board‑ready decisions, improving productivity, customer outcomes, and long‑term value while actively managing risk.
Prior to founding Possibl AI, Nyssa held senior leadership roles at Google, as well as earlier roles at Telstra and Spark New Zealand, giving her strong grounding in large‑scale enterprise transformation.
Mark Laurence - Founder, Ten Past Tomorrow
Mark Laurence founded Ten Past Tomorrow, a boutique consultancy supporting senior leaders to conceive and execute AI‑first transformation and leadership strategy.
Mark works with leadership teams to build organisation‑wide AI fluency, governance, and strategic alignment, with a strong emphasis on fluency‑led change rather than tools alone. His work focuses on helping organisations embed AI into operating models, culture, and decision‑making structures.
He is a recognised speaker and writer on AI ethics, human‑centred AI strategy, agentic AI implementation, and the future of work.
Andrew McPherson - AI Consultant | Former CIO & CTO
Andrew McPherson is an accomplished technology executive and AI consultant with extensive experience leading large‑scale digital and AI‑driven transformation.
He previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Stuff and Chief Information Officer at SkyCity Entertainment Group, where he led complex digital and AI initiatives across large organisations.
Andrew specialises in AI strategy, governance, and implementation, helping organisations unlock sustainable value while navigating complexity, risk, and change.