Baragwanath hands CEO reins for social change organisation Be. Lab to Sue Russell and remains on the board.
After 10 years of work to push New Zealand to the forefront of global accessibility innovation and promote the conversation about the value to economies and societies of access citizens, Be. Lab founder Minnie Baragwanath has been appointed to lead the new hot-house for access innovation, the Centre of Possibility @ AUT, a sister organisation to Be. Lab.
To take on her new role, Baragwanath is handing over the reins as CEO for social change organisation Be. Lab to Sue Russell, a design learning and sustainable development expert with a background in professional training and coaching in non-profits and social enterprises. Baragwanath will remain closely involved with Be. Lab, having recently been appointed to the board.
As chief possibility officer, Baragwanath will further the mission she has progressed in her work as founder and CEO of Be. Lab (formerly Be. Accessible), the New Zealand-based, globally networked centre for design and access innovation for the 21st century – through which she has formed partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, Sudima Hotels, ACC and the Ministry of Social Development.
At AUT, Baragwanath will work with AUT researchers to develop the world-leading Global Accessibility Index and collaborate with academics, local and international organisations, business leaders and policymakers to make the future accessible for all. This will include finding solutions for how people with access needs may experience the world and how they – and the other 25% of Kiwis who will have an access need at some point in life – may be supported towards full possibility.
Baragwanath said: “my focus for this new role is to support New Zealand and global entrepreneurs in their accessibility and possibility frameworks. It is a really exciting time to be talking with an increasingly aware group of people and organisations around the world about how we can create an ecosystem that is inclusive, engaging and innovative.”
Be. Lab chairman John Allen said: “We are pleased to have Minnie join the Be. Lab board as she expands her remit in the accessibility sector. With Sue and Minnie collaborating, we have two powerhouses working together on positive initiatives and global partnerships that will make a fully accessible society and economy a reality for all Kiwis, and put New Zealand on the map in a whole new way.”
The Centre of Possibility @ AUT will continue to work alongside Be. Lab and its founding Possibility Partners Microsoft, the Ministry of Social Development, ACC, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Sudima Hotels.
Baragwanath said she sees this new chapter as a way to help access innovation flourish. “One of our first steps will be to test and hack the tech I rely on to support my vision, and we look forward to sharing our research and news through 2020 and beyond.”
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
