Our People
Our Trustees
Jane Wrightson
Chair
Jane Wrightson was appointed as Retirement Commissioner and head of the Commission for Financial Capability in 2020, after a long career in the media industry. She is a former chief executive of public media funder NZ On Air, and was a regulator for the Broadcasting Standards Authority, and screen industry advocacy body SPADA.
Jane also spent the first decade of her career working in various roles at TVNZ. She is a governor of RNZ and a former director of several national sporting and media entities. Jane is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and holds an MBA with distinction, and a BA in literature.
Rachel Farrant
Trustee
Peter Johnston
Trustee
Peter is Chair of Partners at Rainey Collins Lawyers and heads their Maori Legal Issues team.
His other current roles include Chair of the NZ Riding for the Disabled Association Perpetual Members Trust, Trustee of the Henwood Trust, Board Member of the NZ Riding for the Disabled Association and Advisory Trustee to a Maori land block. Peter is also an external Specialist Advisor and Legal Aid Auditor to the Ministry of Justice.
Of Ngati Porou descent Peter is a former Chairman of Te Awe Wellington Maori Business Network. In this role he worked closely with regional and national business networks.
Diane Calvert
Trustee
Peter Jackson
Trustee
Peter is a cultural consultant of Te Atiawa and Taranaki Iwi descent. He helps organisations to fulfil their Treaty of Waitangi obligations. He has a Bachelor of Commerce & Administration from Victoria University of Wellington. A background in IT, property investment and small business ownership has provided him with a solid understanding of the mechanics of organisational success. Peter is a director on a number of iwi and community boards which include the Wellington Tenths Trust, Adult Community Education Aotearoa and Early Childhood New Zealand.
Senior Management
Dr Sarah Rusholme
Chief Executive
After gaining her PhD, Dr Sarah Rusholme left the lab for an MSc in science communication and in 1998 joined the UK’s National Space Centre start-up team, leaving eight years later as their Director of Education and Exhibitions.
Since arriving in New Zealand, Sarah has worked for the Marsden Fund at the Royal Society of New Zealand. She led the feasibility study for NZ’s Science Media Centre and became the Director of Carter Observatory in 2007, joining Experience Wellington in 2010.
In her role as Head of Strategic Development Sarah was responsible for Experience Wellington’s strategic planning, cross-organisation research initiatives, and projects that connect institutions across the organisation and city. In October 2016 Sarah moved into the role as Director Children & Young People, leading the Capital E team. Creativity is a huge part of Capital E, and initiatives such as children’s theatre, digital offerings and the National Arts Festival for Children grew significantly under Sarah’s leadership.
In June 2020 Sarah was appointed Experience Wellington’s next Chief Executive.
James Unwin
Finance Manager
Brett Mason
Director Museums Wellington
Elizabeth Caldwell
Director City Gallery Wellington
Justine McLisky
Head of Children and Young People
Justine is a highly experienced learning and engagement professional, with over 25 years’ experience in cultural institutions around the world. Justine has worked with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, National Portrait Gallery in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. Justine also worked with our own City Gallery team in her early career as an Education Coordinator.
Justine is committed to working strategically to develop and deliver inspiring programmes that engage diverse audiences in arts and culture, with a special focus on young audiences and raising the profile of the benefits of creativity. She brings a wealth of leadership, management experience and stakeholder engagement.
Justine is looking forward to reconnecting with past colleagues, forging new networks, and ensuring that Experience Wellington is a key part of making the capital the best place to grow up in Aotearoa.
Carolyn Mettrick
Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications
Carolyn is a proud Wellingtonian who joined Experience Wellington in November 2019 . She has a strong background in fundraising, marketing and business development and is a firm believer that relationships are everything.
Carolyn is no stranger to the not-for-profit sector. In 2012 she joined Plunket as National Fundraising Manager and moved into the role of Head of Fundraising, Partnerships and Brand. Carolyn developed a diverse funding portfolio and established successful partnerships with some of New Zealand’s best well known organisations.
Prior to working at Plunket Carolyn worked in the private sector and spent a number of years at Loyalty New Zealand (Fly Buys). She is strategic, thinks big and is results driven. Carolyn is an empathetic leader and her strengths lie in relationship management. A collaborator and connector, Carolyn is committed to championing the cultural assets Experience Wellington has on offer.
Louise Saviker
Head of Operations
Louise has a background in private sector and community organisations where she has held general management, marketing, customer service and human resource roles. Her entire career has been in membership and customer service focused organisations. Louise has a Masters of Human Resources and Organisational Development from Southern Cross University, Australia.
Louise is passionate about building planned and systematic approaches to improving organisational effectiveness, primarily through people, services and systems. She is committed to creating diverse, healthy and safe working environments.
Jo Arenhold
Executive Advisor
Jo is a natural organiser with strong attention to detail, a strategic thinker and a trusted advisor. She enjoys writing and editing documents, and has a strong interest in communications and public relations.
Jo has a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English & Media Studies, as well as a Certificate of Performing Arts. Her background combines an interesting mix of the corporate with the creative. She has worked in senior executive support roles for CEO’s, Boards, General Managers, and Managing Editors, and in technical production and event management roles across Wellington, London, and Dublin. Some of the organisations she has worked for include Presbyterian Support, Multi-Media Systems, Daily Mail, Freud Communications, and Tourism New Zealand.
Jo enjoys bringing people together, finding logical solutions, and is thrilled to be working in a creative environment again!