2026 Tauranga AI Business Summit Fundraiser
Description
The Tauranga AI Business Summit - Scholarship Fundraiser returns for 2026, supported by an incredible array of businesses.
This afternoon combines professional development with world class presentations and workshops, along with networking, all whilst your attendance contributes to a great cause.
The 2026 Tauranga AI Business Summit - Scholarship Fundraiser is headlined by two great keynote speakers
Practical workshops where industry professionals will show you the why and how of using Artiifical Intelligence in different contexts - In 2026 workshops will be facilitated by Zespri, Parallo, the Ai Assembly, LawVu, Datacom and Wave Agency.
Networking Canapés and Drinks included
Panel and Q/A - opportunity to hear and learn from the experts
Presenters bios included below
FULL PROGRAM AVAILABLE HERE
All proceeds from this event fund scholarships for students at Mount Maunganui College. Funds raised in 2025 have already contributed helped fund two overseas trips and supported a bursury for a student attending the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus.
Your attendance on the day makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of young people
Want to know more? Check out our wrap video from the 2025 event
Lineup
Dr Amanda Williamson - Deloitte
Dr Amanda J. Williamson is the Director of the Deloitte New Zealand AI Institute. She has advised corporate boards on AI governance and investment, led enterprise AI deployment to 2,000 staff, and delivered AI solutions with up to 76% productivity gains across multiple sectors. Her foundation is technical: a PhD using AI-driven analytics and certifications across five major AI platforms. Amanda is a TEDx speaker, a regular commentator on AI in New Zealand media (RNZ, NZ Herald, Business Desk), and concurrently holds a Senior Lecturer position in Innovation and Strategy at the University of Waikato.
Mr Glen Willoughby
Glen is a technology and innovation executive with more than 25 years’ experience across health, infrastructure, digital transformation and emerging technology sectors. He has held senior CIO and CEO roles, including as CIO of Singularity Group in Silicon Valley, and has led major transformation, data modernisation, AI and innovation programmes. Glen has had an association with NASA since 2018, initially through NASA JPL and more recently NASA Ames. He has received a range of awards for his work in global innovation and AI, and has been published by Forbes.
Danu Abeysuriya, CEO & Founder
Danushka Abeysuriya (Danu) is a visionary technical innovator and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience spearheading transformative digital initiatives. He founded and has evolved RUSH from a garage startup into an industry-leading technology partner trusted by organisations including KiwiRail, Foodstuffs, Awanui, Farmlands, Z Energy, Cancer Society and The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre. At RUSH, Danu leads a specialised team of AI-enabled product strategists, designers, and technologists who create digital products that fundamentally enhance human experiences. His expertise in cybersecurity and ethical technology implementation has made him a sought-after advisor on responsible tech adoption, and he's a regular voice on Breakfast TV, Herald Now, and co-host of technology podcast Human In The Loop.
Korey Rubenstein
Korey is a technology commercialisation leader focused on customer-centric AI transformation. At Parallo, a SoftwareOne Company, he helps organisations implement cloud and AI solutions impacting over 250 million end users. Previously, Korey helped standup kiwiSaaS, the world’s first nationwide SaaS community, gaining deep insight into the challenges and opportunities of 700 innovative New Zealand companies while creating programmes to accelerate their global growth. Today, he is passionate about driving measurable business outcomes by optimising cloud environments and harnessing emerging technologies like AI to deliver operational excellence and commercial success.
Karrina Mountford
Karrina Mountfort is the Founder of The AI Assembly® and Founding Chief Innovation & Technology Officer of Webbased AI, a leader in AI education, enablement, and AI-powered solution delivery with more than 20 years' experience in technology and digital transformation. She works across both sides of AI adoption - building and implementing AI solutions that drive real productivity gains for businesses, and educating people to become trusted, responsible users. This dual focus ensures organisations do not just adopt AI, but scale it sustainably, with the tools and the people working together effectively.
Mandy Hooper
Digital Change Analyst supporting global digital initiatives across Zespri, with a strong focus on change management and user adoption. I work closely with digital delivery teams, business stakeholders, and global functions to ensure new systems, processes and ways of working are successfully embedded and deliver real value. Mandy led the roll out of CoPilot at Zespri.
Richard Kenyon
Richard leads the AI strategy practice at Datacom, advising clients on AI adoption and governance. He is an AI pragmatist, studied AI before it was cool, and led the development of one of the first at scale, production AI digital assistants in a highly regulated environment - Datacom’s Payroll business
Glenn Dougal
Glenn Dougal is Director of Wave Agency, a Mount Maunganui-based brand and creative agency that works with some of New Zealand’s leading organisations across brand strategy, digital, media, PR and production.
Nico Mulder
Nico Mulder is the Group Engineering Director at LawVu, and have been building enterprise software coming on 20 years. Having started his career in South Africa he comes with a vast range of experience across different business sectors, and has done work in several African countries. Nico brings an engineering mindset combined with high performing teams and people that has lead to where we are today. Leading a team of 55 engineers to build and deliver products across the globe. He believes anything is possible, with an open mindset, and curiosity and willingness to learn.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity