“What we know matters, but who we are matters more.”
- BRENE BROWN
We’re mums and dads, daughters and sons, looking to help the next wave of explorers! We’re Brave.
Our Why
To inspire people to become better, more resilient thought leaders, so they can realise their true potential. We believe that people's passions drive creativity, which in turn fuels problem-solving, leading to meaningful change in our communities and beyond. Through our work, we aim to inspire and empower individuals to embrace their passions, unlock explorer attributes, and develop the real-life skills required to take their ideas and business to the world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster a thriving ecosystem to enhance economic development in Aotearoa New Zealand by inspiring and equipping individuals to embrace their passions, unlock their creative potential, develop problem-solving skills, and drive meaningful change through business and entrepreneurship.
Our Vision
We see a world where everyone has the opportunity to explore their passions and understand how their ideas can change the world through a better understanding of business principles and design thinking.
Our Values
Innovation & Exploration – Embracing challenges and pushing boundaries to discover new possibilities.
Empathy – Valuing awareness and understanding of others' perspectives, thoughts, and feelings.
Creativity & Problem-Solving – Encouraging new ways of thinking, learning, doing, and taking risks to drive meaningful change.
Integrity – Upholding ethical, responsible, and trustworthy actions in all endeavours.
Collaboration & Partnership – Committing to community and working together to uplift and support others' success.
Our People
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Founder
dave@tbv.org.nz
LinkedInDave’s passion lies in empowering others to be the best they can be. He’s a critical thinker, loves problem-solving, and has a clever knack when it comes to building a team.
A native of California, he was instrumental in creating an online banking system for a financial institution in Colorado in the mid-1990s. For the past twelve years, Dave has been immersed in the startup world, helping founders succeed. He’s created several entrepreneurial programmes that have helped raise significant amounts of investment, while sitting at the helm of one of New Zealand’s powerhouse accelerators as CEO.
Dave continues to impact people with the inception of The Brave Venture, on a mission to change a generation of learners and create better humans and business. If you want to join the wave, get in touch.
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Director of Brand & Marketing
bronwyn@tbv.org.nzWith over 25 years of running her own design agency, Bronwyn’s passion is providing marketing solutions for her clients to grow brands, and keep their businesses flourishing.
Bronwyn has a bend for creative problem solving, assisting small to large business with understanding their overall value propositions. Her experience spans across all facets of design, from strategy and branding, digital and print media, website design, signage and event promotion.
Bronwyn’s also no stranger to the entrepreneurial world, and with creative problem solving in her blood, she is a great partner in everything we do at TBV.
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Chief Operating Officer
jen@tbv.org.nzWith a global perspective forged through experiences in Canada, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand, Jen brings a diverse background, starting with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Chemistry, followed by an MBA in Project Management and Leadership and a Doctor of Business Administration. Jen's experience in workshop and curriculum development and delivery enables her to expertly guide students and business professionals in management and project management by bridging theory and practice. Passionate about fostering innovation and synergies, Jen’s aim is to empower others to embrace strategic thinking in both professional and personal realms.
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Chair
Mike has been alongside the journey of TBV since day one. He has a strong focus on business development and has a wide range of clients through his accountancy firm, Morrison Creed.
Outside Morrison Creed, Mike works with other business interests, farms a 40 acre block with his wife on the outskirts of Feilding and when time allows, spends time on Lake Taupo.
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Buildit Programme Manager
Charles works in the real estate industry for Shelley Naylor Realty. He’s always on the move, negotiating deals and spreading positivity with his infectious smile. With a business degree under his belt, Charles brings a unique perspective to TBV. He is dedicated, motivated, and passionate about helping people move forward in the best possible way. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing in property, or want to just get ahead, Charles has the skills and expertise to guide you through every step of the process.
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Lead Education Advisor
As Ripyl's Lead Education Advisor, Carlyn infuses her role with the dynamism and innovative spirit she's known for as a high school commerce teacher. Her active involvement since Ripyl's inception has been pivotal in creating engaging and effective educational content. Carlyn’s unique approach to teaching, marked by creativity and a flair for doing things differently, has significantly shaped the educational strategies and resources of Ripyl, making her a key asset in our mission to transform learning experiences.
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Associate
A true relationship builder, Ramola places paramount importance on nurturing connections and constantly seeks to elevate projects with fresh ideas, both strategically and in their execution.
At the core of her drive lies an unyielding passion for Rotary and its mission to foster positive change and serve communities worldwide. For Ramola, Rotary has become the driving force behind her commitment to humanitarian work, enabling her to translate her enthusiasm into impactful projects that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Insert The Brave Venture, and Ramola is a perfect fit.
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Legal Counsel
Phil is an experienced property and business lawyer and Partner with Evans Henderson Woodbridge. Phil gained significant property and commercial experience working for firms in Christchurch advising clients from SMEs through to Government Departments, and brings this experience to the team at TBV. Phil moved to the region several years ago to raise his young family alongside his wife Carole.
Outside of the law Phil enjoys growing his own food, brewing beer, distilling gin and spending time with his wife and three young children.
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GM - USA
tim@tbv.org.nz
LinkedInTim’s dedication and hard work is what makes Tim a superstar. Tim leads a team of real estate agents in San Jose, California while looking after our USA operations.
Tim is a connector. His always “client-first” focus makes him a perfect fit for TBV.
If you are in the market of real estate in the Bay area, Tim’s your man. Whether you are a first time buyer, a family looking for a larger home, looking to downsize, or an investor looking for the right opportunity, Tim’s an email away.
Tim’s background is mainly in the professional service sector, working at some of the largest companies in the world. From his time at PwC, IBM and GrantThornton, Tim’s professionalism and dedication is second to none.
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Associate
Muhammad Mubashir Mukhtar is a visionary data analyst and entrepreneur, proficient in Tableau and Power BI. His dedication to data-driven decision-making is deeply rooted in a commitment to community well-being and organizational productivity. As the Founder & CEO of Data n Dashboards Limited in Wellington, NZ, Mubashir has pioneered innovative data solutions for a global audience.
Mubashir stands as a beacon in the data analytics realm, advocating for a future where data not only drives decisions, but also enriches community prosperity and organisational success - a great synergy with TBV’s mission of creating better humans and better business.
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Machine Learning Engineer
Haider is a Machine Learning Engineer from Pakistan currently focused on developing deep reinforcement learning agents for the medical field as well as our Ripyl education software.
Previous to his time in New Zealand, Haider spent three years as a Machine Learning Engineer in China. Haider is currently completing his PhD from Auckland University of Technology.
Haider’s favourite book is Gödel Escher Bach: An eternal braid.
