Our People
Jeremy Webb
Jeremy Webb is a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Tiaki Institute. He has a PhD from University College London’s Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP), as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Development Studies from Massey University in New Zealand, and a BSc and MSc in Geology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Jeremy has worked in local and central government in New Zealand. Jeremy also spent ten years with the United Nations Secretariat with five years at the United Nations Statistics Division in New York and five years with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa. Jeremy has chaired UN working groups and was a contributing author in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report.
Milan Poczik
Experienced entrepreneur, researcher, and horse enthusiast with a proven track record in the information technology and services industry. Milan Poczik has successfully completed over 15 complex and R&D projects across diverse sectors, including sustainability, industrial, mining, consumer, and healthcare. His expertise lies in guiding intricate projects from inception to production, fueled by a passion for creating strong, innovative, and future-proof visions and product designs. Milan is dedicated to developing simple, effective, and intuitive systems with superior user experiences. Comfortable diving into the deep technical aspects of systems and new technologies, he thrives on collaboration and partnership with multidisciplinary teams.
Marcel de Vries
Marcel de Vries’s expertise spans global business, sustainability, and international food systems has meant that the Tiaki Institute is pioneering new ways to track progress towards a sustainable economy. Marcel holds an MSc in Global Business & Sustainability from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and a BSc in International Business from the University of Twente. With professional experience across sustainability consulting, enterprise account management, and food systems analysis in both New Zealand and Europe, Marcel brings a rigorous, international perspective to Tiaki’s work.
Venelina Stephens
Venelina Stephens is a skilled project manager, scrum master, data analyst, statistician, program evaluator and reviewer with 15 years of experience on the national and international level. She has provided expert consultation on a wide array of areas, including data strategies, program design, data innovation, and indicator development, all with a strong emphasis on sustainable development and operational structuring. Notably, Venelina has led efforts to conceptualise novel approaches to leverage existing data resources, including the formulation of indicators rooted in the theoretical frameworks of national governments and international organisations. Her contributions have been fundamental in laying the groundwork for the Tiaki Institute’s mission and impact in the field of data-driven sustainable development.
Anna McKey
Anna McKey is a Research Assistant at the Tiaki Institute where she is playing a key role in the data processing and coordination of GloNZRA. She has also been integral to developing processes and researching for the Epic Electric World Records project. With a strong foundation in science and health, Anna is passionate about driving meaningful change and looks forward to continuing to explore the intersection of health, sustainability and policy in the future.
Alisha Ungerboeck
Alisha Ungerboeck is a graduate from the University of Canterbury, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Geography and Political Science & international relations. Alisha had the privilege of working as an intern at the Tiaki Institute with the guidance of Jeremy Webb. Creating a taxonomy of climate change mitigation options based on the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report. Additionally, collaborated on the Epic Electric project and supported her colleagues’ project. The work at Tiaki Institute has greatly aligned with her kaupapa of addressing intersectional challenges to drive sustainable change and foster innovative thinking. Alisha combines her academic knowledge from University and work experience in sustainable organisations to build long-term, meaningful relationships between communities and the environment.
Emilia Dybka
Emilia Dybka is a final year economics student at the University of Canterbury and is also starting her masters degree in accounting later this year. Emilia started as a Summer Intern at the Tiaki Institute where she had the opportunity to put her degree into practice by contributing to the development of “do no harm” metrics and related evaluation frameworks. The aim of her project was to showcase the true cost of supermarket and Trade Aid goods and develop ideas to answer her research question, ‘Is an organic lifestyle worth investing into to help protect the environment and our health?’. Emilia is pleased to be continuing with Tiaki as a research volunteer for GloNZRA and take part in researching literature around fossil fuels and renewables. She is also hoping to continue her work on the “do no harm” metrics in the near future.
Sean Frogley
Sean Frogley is a Software Developer working with the Tiaki Institute on Epic Electric World Records. The platform aims to celebrate and promote world records that advance electrification and inspire innovation. He has supported this vision by developing a user-friendly digital experience that connects people with these achievements and with one another.
Lucy Johnston
Lucy Johnston is in her final year at the University of Canterbury, completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Information Systems. She joined the Tiaki Institute as an intern, where she developed this website. Her work focused on creating a digital platform that reflects the Tiaki Institute’s mission and values, and helps connect users with its research and impact. Lucy hopes to continue using her skills to create purposeful, people-centred digital experiences.
