Phil Garing

Director

LLB., B.Comm., Cert. TEFLA., Dip. AE&T.

Phil came to educational design from a legal background. He's been developing flexible, open and eLearning solutions since 1991 and has worked in Australia, New Zealand and Brazil as an educator, instructional designer and project manager.

Strategic planning Project management LMS expertise LCMS expertise KM expertise Business process expertise

Tony Kiesanowski

Advisory Board Chairman

LLB.

Tony chairs the Synapsys Advisory Board. He holds a number of directorships and advisory roles across a wide range of businesses.

Tony graduated from Canterbury University and qualified as a solicitor in 1974. He joined the legal firm of Young Hunter that same year, was a partner from 1980 to 2000, and is currently a consultant to the firm. He specialises in the areas of corporate and business law.

Christopher Stent

Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

LLB.

Christopher has worked closely with Synapsys since it's incorporation, where he assisted the company establishing accounting and budgetary processes.

Having spent over 20 years working within accounting practices and at the sharp end within industry, he is ideally placed to help the management team with their budgeting, management and external reporting. Christopher has extensive experience helping growing businesses and also advises companies within the retail, electronic and waste sectors.

Michael Toothill

General Manager

BSc Operations Research

Michael recently returned from 18 years working in management roles across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in the UK. Michael brings calm and efficient process, with an understanding of International best practice, to his role overseeing day to day operations at Synapsys. Michael’s passion for marathon running demonstrates his practical tenacity and stamina.

Kim Russo

Finance Manager

Kim has worked in the accounting field for the past fifteen years. She started her career in Christchurch working for a chartered accountant, and then she worked in Australia for many years as an accountant and office manager for two manufacturing companies. She returned to New Zealand three years ago and now works for Synapsys handling accounts and project administration.

Megan Thompson

Project support

Megan came to Synapsys after working in retail. She joined the team in October 2011, and works closely with all of the staff across a variety of projects. She has a passion for organising and customer service, and likens herself to a hostess: making sure everyone has what they need, when they need it, so that they are well equipped to provide the best quality and service to our clients.

Pip Taylor

Business Development Manager

Cert. Sales Processes

Clients are the most important part of the Synapsys business and nothing makes Pip happier than finding the right solutions a client need. Armed with the firm belief that every transaction should be a win for everyone involved, tell her your challenges, your vision and your goals, with the help of the specialists she is privileged to work with, they will find ways to improve the training and development of your organisation. Pip doesn’t just love working with people; she is quite a fond of animals as well. Working with animals develops a level of patience and understanding that you cannot get good results by force, collaboration is essential. By taking time to understand and get to know the challenge, Synapsys will be able to tailor a solution to the specific needs of your organisation. Talk to Pip today.

Brigid Frayle

Project Manager, Educational Designer

BA.(Hons), MA.(Dist), PGDipTertTeach.

Brigid completed a Masters degree in Sociology in 2001, and taught in sociology, health studies, anthropology and adult education for a number of years. She recently completed a diploma in tertiary teaching, with an emphasis on theories of teaching and learning, curriculum design, and assessment. Brigid has a special interest in the pedagogy of e-learning.

Greg Preston

Senior Educational Designer

BA.(Hons)Engineering., PGCertEducation.

Greg has spent nearly 20 years as a secondary school teacher, mainly teaching physics, science, technology and outdoor pursuits. During that time he has developed several different courses, especially within the electronics field. Many of his students have won both national and international science and technology competitions.

Greg has worked closely with the Electrotechnoclogy Industry Training Organisation (ETITO) in developing courses at Levels 2 and 3. He has also been heavily involved in planning and delivering professional development for teachers and has forged strong links between industry, the tertiary and secondary sectors.

Cathy Gillespie

Senior Educational Designer

IT Training Institute/CPIT courses, M.Sc., B.Sc.

Cathy first became involved in the learning and development environment through her role as a forensic scientist, where she trained magistrates, police and fellow scientists. She also helped prepare forensic science accreditation documentation. Cathy has worked full time in the training field since 1998 as a Training Manager and a Training Specialist for large organisations. She has experience and qualifiications in the full spectrum of training, including learning vision, planning, administration, communication, delivery, evaluation and management. Cathy has taught in tertiary education and local government organisations. As a training specialist, she has developed computer training programmes, including sourcing and writing content for intranets and implementing e-learning systems.

Cert. Sales Processes

Anthea

Senior Technical Writer, Consultant

Cert. Technical Communication., Dip. Communication Studies (inc)

Anthea has worked extensively within the technology sector, where she has helped many organisations design, implement and maintain effective systems and related processes. She has performed a myriad of functions, from grass roots user support and training, behind the scenes analysis, testing and service delivery, to project and senior management roles.

Anthea left Intergen in 2006 to further her interest in informational design and communications. Prior to that, she worked helping to grow cutting-edge technology start-ups and carried out operational and administrative roles both in NZ and the UK. In addition to her role with Synapsys, Anthea works as a freelance business writer and project manager.

Kirsty Cullen

Creative Consultant

B.Fine Arts. (inc)

A very talented graphic designer and artist, Kirsty was lured away from her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree to apprentice at the new studio of an ex-Saatchi & Saatchi art director. Now she has over ten years' experience in graphic design, pre-print and web design in a variety of contexts.

At Synapsys, Kirsty has responsibility for guiding creative vision and developing graphic content, as well as the templating and production of educational and promotional print and web-based materials.

Hamish

Learning Technology Specialist

Dip ICT – Web Technologies Bachelor ICT – Multimedia

Qualifications in both ICT and adult learning combined with working and teaching in tertiary environments has given Hamish a strong learning emphasis to his extensive development talents. With experience across a range of platforms, using various technology tools Hamish can help bring your learning experience to life. Consult with Hamish on the most appropriate technology for your needs, and enjoy a calm hassle free approach to your solution.

Steve

Learning Solutions Manager

PhD. (Psychology), PGDipArts., BA

Steve’s involvement in learning design began when lecturing at the University of Otago, and led to him becoming an e-learning designer and coordinator at City University, London. After two and a half years in London, a desire to return to New Zealand and leave the ivory tower led him to Synapsys, where he works with clients to understand their requirements and ensures that Synapsys meets their needs.

Steve is a skilled facilitator and communicator, with expertise in learning deployment in complex environments and a strong interest in the use of technology to improve the delivery of learning experiences.