The Big Idea Team
We are a small group of committed people who deliver the vision of The Big Idea Charitable Trust working with a cast of thousands when we include the creative community who support and contribute material to not just our site but also to the other activities we undertake. Thanks to you all - we appreciate it.
Primarily a virtual team, we are scattered around New Zealand and even around the world. The Big Idea website is brought to you by the equivalent of two full-time workers and a whole lot of good will. Our commitment, and that of our supporters, is to see a creative sector that not just survives but thrives as a vital contributor to all sectors of New Zealand society – so, meet the team:
 | Elisabeth Vaneveld – Executive Director & Publisher Elisabeth is a Director of Q Theatre Ltd. and she is a member of Auckland City Council's Creative Industries Advisory Panel. |
 | Cathy Aronson – The Big Idea Website Editor Cathy is a journalist, photo journalist and online editor with more than 10 years' experience. As a reporter she has worked in community news, daily news and has covered everything from environment, councils and transport to the creative industries. As an online editor she has worked on two of New Zealand’s biggest websites. Cathy has a passion for online communities, the creative industries and creative diversity. Her creative practice includes writing, poetry and photography. Regular contributors: Mark Amery, Renee Liang, Philip Patston, Ande Schurr, Jeff Clark and Mike Chunn |
 | Margaret Lewis – Business Development, Advertising and Marketing Margaret is an accomplished knitwear designer who regularly exhibits in regional and national fashion competitions. She combines her knowledge as a creative practitioner with her background in marketing to help others in the creative community sustain viable careers. |
 | Craig Barlow – Producer Craig enjoys working in a creative environment and using his skills to help New Zealand's creative industries flourish by championing the best project and management practices. As our on-line producer, Craig is keen to see The Big Idea website cement its place as an essential resource and tool. |
 | Lena Kovac Lena is an Arts Manager from Germany who is fascinated with visual arts as long as she can think of. She discovered that she's best at communicating ideas, organising events, developing fundraising strategies and doing all this close to the people involved. Living in New Zealand now she is continuing this path - first as Gallery Administrator at Artspace, and today in her roles as Funding & Liaison Officer at CHART in Whangarei as well as Community/Listings Manager for The Big Idea. She's always on the look for the latest jobs & opportunities to list in The Big Idea's WORK-section and supports NZ's creative communities in building better profiles. | |
 | Jade Tang As The Big Idea's community manger, Jade Tang has a keen interest for community engagement, a passion for the creative industries, a diverse background in Design and a knack for organising events. Recently graduated from a Master of Arts Management with distinction, Jade's creative ambition is find that 'sweet spot' between academia, industry and community; curating and collaborating on relevant creative projects for collective growth. |
The Big idea | Te Aria Nui Trustees
The Big Idea Charitable Trust is governed by three trustees who maintain strategic and financial oversight on all aspects of the Trust's work so that The Big Idea delivers on its vision and strategy and consistently delivers to the high performance standards that the Trustees and the Team have set.
The Big Idea Trustees are:
 | Lorraine Barry – Trustee A former Director of International Marketing for Virgin Music Group in the UK, Lorraine Barry is now a Music Manager in her new homeland of New Zealand. She began working with Dave Dobbyn in 2004 and added Dukes, L.A.Mitchell, Victoria Girling-Butcher, Mark Vanilau and, most recently, Bic Runga to her roster of artists. |
 | Lisa Bates – Trustee With a strong interest in cultural regeneration, and means of governance to support that, Lisa brings an enthusiasm for the arts and a wealth of experience to The Big Idea. She is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Trustee of the Q Theatre Foundation. In 2010 Lisa won the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand's award for 'Most Promising Fundraiser' in relation to her fundraising effort on the Q Theatre project which raised $21 million. | |
 | Prashanta Mukherjee – Foundation Trustee An ICT professional who has performed, directed and managed significant ICT projects in New Zealand since 1989 and who has held substantial positions with Oracle, IBM and Ernst & Young. |
 | Sandi Morrison – Foundation Trustee |
