The New Zealand Virtual Assistant Awards

Natalie Coombe

Pricing Expert, NatalieCoombe.com

Natalie helps women in service-based businesses nail their pricing and their profit so they can pay themselves what they’re worth, doing what they love, only working the hours they want!

With 25 years' experience working with top businesses and solopreneurs around the world, Natalie is the go-to for all things pricing and profit.

Her signature pricing programme - Nail Your Pricing™️- has helped hundreds of women transform their profitability, pay themselves the salary they deserve, and work less hours doing it.

Grant Johnson

Co-Founder & CEO, Rocketspark.com

Grant Johnson is the founder and CEO of Rocketspark and has as extensive experience in ecommerce, digital marketing, and web development.

Prior to starting Rocketspark, Grant served as senior ecommerce manager at Best Buy Europe and head of online at Geek Squad UK.

Grant also worked in new product development at RBS and as a customer development manager at Vodafone New Zealand.

Grant has a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Canterbury and as a long time supporter of the VA industry in NZ knows what it takes to turn a VA side hustle into a profitable business with purpose and passion.

Miraka Davies

Te Reo Māori Advocate, Speaker & MC,
Mirakadavies.co.nz

Miraka Davies is a force of nature and a walking embodiment of stepping into power.

A proud wahine Māori, Miraka brings her vast lived experiences to the judging panel. At age 37, Miraka walked away from her family’s five-generation commitment to a conservative Christian religion and started forging her own path, beginning a journey - both back to her tūpuna and forward into her own joy. Known previously as Shelly Davies, part of that reclamation is the reclaiming of her great great grandmother’s Māori name, Miraka.

Miraka’s journey has seen her parent serious mental health conditions, addiction, and suicide, tackle her own obesity and weight loss surgery, neurodiversity, being widowed young, and single parenting. She now uses her hard-won lessons to inspire audiences around Aotearoa, galvanising listeners to become unstuck, educating crowds in the Māori language and culture, and engaging attendees with cheekiness and manaakitanga.

Miraka has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Brigham Young University, and is the author of Lessons in Badassery (2022) and Engaging with Māori for Success in Business (2018).

David Morrison

CEO Thankyou Payroll, ThankyouPayroll.co.nz

David is passionate about helping NZ businesses succeed, no matter their size.

A champion for building generosity into business David loves supporting people and organisations that strive to leave a lasting positive impact in the world.

When not fulfilling his CEO duties, David can be found on the ocean paddling his surf ski.

Hayden Burgess

Creative Coach + Mentor, 
pitchr. Creative

Hayden has built a successful career as a freelance illustrator and designer, working with a bunch of rad clients including bands, record labels, bars, and online publications.

Combining the psychology of sales and marketing with his love of creating, Hayden started pitchr. in late 2020 with the aim to help designers get confident with selling the epic work they create.

Tyron Noble

Graphic and Digital Designer, 
Rocketspark

Tyron is a seasoned web designer with an eye for design and a flair for crafting engaging websites. With over a decade of design expertise under his belt, Tyron can spot a high converting website a mile off and is the perfect Rocketspark addition to the judging panel in 2024.

Natalie Sisson

Holistic Life and Business Coach, 
LifePilot

Natalie Sisson has been turning freedom into both a business model and a movement since 2009.

As a holistic, no-B.S. life-and-business coach, she guides high-achieving women in their 40s and 50s—those feeling directionless, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their spark—to reignite their boldest ambitions and build businesses that support the lives they truly want.

A three-time Amazon bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and host of the LifePilot podcast, Natalie is equal parts strategic mastermind and adventure-seeking mum who believes your business should amplify your life—not replace it.

Courtney Haines

Branding & Communication Specialist,
Courtneyhainesofficial.com

Courtney Haines is a Personal Branding Specialist and the founder of Courtney Haines Official, where she helps professionals define and express the most effective version of themselves through strategy-led personal brand development.

Known for her practical frameworks and thoughtful approach, Courtney supports clients to grow their visibility, credibility, and confidence—without compromising authenticity.

Her work spans consultants, creatives, and leaders across Aotearoa and beyond.

As a judge for this year’s VA Awards, she’s passionate about recognising the power of strong brands in the virtual assistant industry.

Jodine McIntyre

Social Media Trainer,
Socialsmarty.co

Jodine McIntyre is a social media trainer and founder of Social Smarty, where she helps business owners and marketers show up online with clarity, confidence and consistency.

With a background in business, marketing and events, she’s known for her practical, plain-English approach to social media and her ability to make it all make sense.

Jodine offers training, tools and support through 1:1 sessions, digital products and her membership, The Social Smarty Society.

Cathy Sheppard

Founder & CEO, bsipeopleskills.co.nz

Cathy Sheppard is a vibrant leader in workplace culture and emotional intelligence. With deep expertise in organisational development, she brings experience, energy, and a passion for building healthier, more emotionally intelligent teams—especially in today’s hybrid workspaces.

A true team-building guru, Cathy thrives on helping people grow. When she’s not transforming workplaces, you’ll find her in nature or sharing laughs with loved ones.

With national and international experience across six countries, Cathy has taught people aged 0 to 80 and continues to ignite leadership at every level—both in person and virtually.

Cathy's insights transcend cultural barriers, focusing on the heart of all successful businesses: people and relationships. Contact her for all your leadership or team development needs.

Stephanie Crawford

Business Coach & Master Bookkeeper, stephaniecrawford.co

Stephanie Crawford is an award-winning Bookkeeping Business Coach and industry leader who transforms skilled bookkeepers into savvy business owners.

After building and selling one of New Zealand’s most respected bookkeeping firms, Stephanie turned her attention to coaching. Since 2014, she’s helped hundreds of bookkeepers step into their value, structure their businesses for sustainable growth, and reclaim work-life harmony.

Her coaching framework is rooted in strategy, systems, and leadership, and she guides clients through the real-world shifts needed to create a business that works for them, not the other way around.

A long-time advocate for financial empowerment and women in business, Stephanie blends deep industry expertise with heart-led mentorship to help bookkeepers build businesses they’re proud of without burning out.

Dion Jensen

Global Influencer & Founder, thelionacademy.co.nz

Dion Jensen is an internationally recognised leadership strategist, author, and founder of The Lion Academy, where he empowers business leaders with clarity, confidence, and real-world strategy.

With a background in crisis leadership, corporate performance, and mindset mastery, Dion brings a powerful blend of insight and integrity to everything he does.

His global work includes developing leadership frameworks used by businesses, governments, and elite teams, and he remains deeply connected to his local community through mentoring and philanthropic initiatives.

As a judge for this year’s NZ Virtual Assistant Awards, Dion brings a sharp eye for strategic thinking, values-driven leadership, and meaningful business impact.

Owen Culliney

Founder OC Law, oclaw.co.nz

Owen is a strategic legal advisor with a passion for helping business owners protect what matters most and is known for cutting through complexity to create legal foundations that support growth, innovation, and long-term success.

A long-standing supporter of the Virtual Assistant industry in Aotearoa since its very early days, Owen has been instrumental in guiding many VAs to set up strong, sustainable businesses. As a judge for the 2025 NZ VA Awards, he brings sharp strategic insight, commercial acumen, and a genuine care for the people behind the businesses.