Leading with purpose: Meet our Board
At Student Job Search Aotearoa, our Board plays a pivotal role in steering our mission to enhance the lives of students and employers alike through enriching employment opportunities.
Providing strategic guidance and oversight, we are dedicated to realising our vision of becoming Aotearoa’s champion of student employment.
Lucy Hickman
Board Chair
As Chair, Lucy brings deep, well-rounded corporate and business operations experience from a wide-ranging career, backed by strong financial and governance expertise. In her current role as Deputy Chief Executive, Enterprise Services Group at the Electoral Commission, she leads organisational portfolios and supports high-performing services at scale. Lucy is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors (CMInstD), with extensive governance experience across public and not-for-profit settings.
Ian Simpson
Deputy Board Chair
Ian's appointment to the Student Job Search Aotearoa Board in 2023 heralds a new era of digital innovation and leadership. With a robust IT background, Ian infuses our Board with a wealth of digital expertise and vision. As the Managing Director of The Logic Studio in Dunedin, Ian champions excellence and collaboration within the tech community. He holds a Bachelor of IT from Otago Polytechnic and is a Chartered IT Professional (CITPNZ) and Member of the Institute of Directors (MinstD).
Pare Graham
Board Member
Pare's journey to the Student Job Search Aotearoa Board in 2023 is marked by a profound commitment to advancing the Māori community and fostering equitable opportunities. Ngā Puhi, Waikato-Tainui, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu—she applies her Education and Developmental Psychology expertise within the Ministry of Education, passionately upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Craig Mildenhall
Board Member
Craig joined the SJS Board in September 2023, bringing a wealth of knowledge in consumer experience, product development, and brand strategy. He leads digital at Kathmandu as General Manager, specialising in data-driven growth strategies. Craig holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management.
Phernne Tancock
Board Member
Phernne joined the Student Job Search Board at the beginning of 2025 and is based in Wellington, where she practises as a barrister. Widely recognised for her contributions in the fundraising space, she brings both professional expertise and a deeply rooted personal passion for community involvement. With a family history of service and giving back, philanthropy and impact-driven work remain central to her life and values. Phernne provides strategic advice and practical solutions that support organisational growth and long-term impact. She offers extensive experience in leadership, governance, and operational excellence, delivering thoughtful, collaborative guidance that strengthens decision-making and ensures sustainability. She also contributes her expertise across the sector through her involvement on several boards.
Michelle Huang
Board Member
Michelle brings governance experience across tertiary education, youth-focused nonprofit leadership, and the corporate sector, underpinned by a strong commitment to supporting students as they transition from education into meaningful work. She currently serves as Interim GM and Chair of Multiethnic Young Leaders NZ, as well as a Council Member at Auckland University of Technology. Michelle is particularly passionate about helping those who navigate this journey without established networks or prior access.
Nikita Skipper
Board Member
Nikita draws on a decade of experience working alongside young people through a range of leadership, advisory, and youth development roles. Notably, during her time as the Vice President and Women’s Rights Officer for the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA), she worked closely with Student Job Search to uplift opportunities for tertiary students across the motu. Nikita currently works as a Regional Coordinator for Young Enterprise in Wellington and Tairāwhiti and is also a Board Intern for the YWCA National Board.