Art Funders' Network
 
Professor Peter O'Connor
Academic Director
Creative Thinking Project, Auckland University
Professor Peter O’Connor is the Academic Director of the Creative Thinking Project at the University of Auckland. He makes and researches the arts in earthquake zones, in prisons, psychiatric hospitals and with the homeless. He has received generous philanthropic support for his work and has a rich understanding of the powerful possibilities in the partnerships between philanthropy and artists who want to make a positive difference to the world we all share. Video link to recent work http://bit.ly/2kzuRYI
 
David Pannett
Senior Manager, Strategy and Engagement
Creative New Zealand
David leads the Strategy and Engagement team which initiates and implements advocacy initiatives, manages communications with the media and other stakeholders, produces publications and provides information to the arts sector and members of the public. The team also manages government relations, including strategy and accountability documents, public and government requests for information, business planning and reporting, and governance policy. David joined Creative New Zealand in February 2015 from the Ministry of Health, where he was the Manager, Governance & Crown Entities. In this role, he led a number of strategic projects and change management programmes, including establishing new crown entities, developing key sector engagement fora, and supporting shared administrative and support services for district health boards. David holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Otago, and was admitted to the bar in 2000.