Genetically Modified Optimist

David has had a successful career in the private and public sector and is the incoming CEO of government agency Education New Zealand, having recently finished as CEO of The New Zealand Story, an ambitious government-funded organisation marketing New Zealand to the world. He has also been a consultant and is a director on several boards, including as Chair of The Icehouse. David is an ex-comedian, TV and radio actor, semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year, cancer survivor and a published author of the books No.8 Re-wired, No.8 Recharged, A Mild Touch of the Cancer, and Silver Linings. David is the Ambassador for the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and a living example of the effectiveness of advanced Cancer treatment – CAR T-Cell Therapy. He is the chairman of the Small Business Advisory Group to government, and a member of the AI Expert Panel, advising the government on AI adoption.