Lesley McConnell

Lesley McConnell has extensive experience in various leadership roles within the New Zealand public sector, particularly at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment since October 2013. McConnell has served as Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary for both Building, Resources and Markets and Labour, Science and Enterprise, alongside a previous role as Director of Group Operations in Labour, Science and Enterprise. Prior roles include Private Secretary for Research, Science and Innovation and Senior Strategy and Relationship Advisor within MBIE from October 2008 to September 2013, as well as Counsellor for Science and Innovation to the US and Canada at the Ministry of Research, Science & Technology from November 2004 to September 2008. McConnell's earlier career included positions as Senior Advisor and Advisor at Greater Wellington Regional Council. Academic qualifications include a Grad Dip in International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington, a Master in Environmental Policy from Lincoln University, and a BSC(Tech) in Earth Sciences from The University of Waikato.