Operations Divisional Office
Stephen Willis
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations)
Stephen began at the University of Otago in 2015 as Manager of Capital Projects before becoming the Chief Operating Officer in April 2016 – a role he held until his appointment as the inaugural Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) in November 2026.
As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations), Stephen provides strategic leadership, planning and management across the University’s operational functions.
Stephen leads a team of Chiefs, Directors and Heads responsible for Property and Campus Development, Digital Services, Sustainability, Enterprise Project Management, Health and Safety Compliance, Transformation and Improvement, Divisional Services and Administration, and Risk, Assurance and Compliance services. The capital programme the DVC’s portfolio is responsible for is circa NZ$1 billion.
Stephen brings broad executive experience spanning healthcare, tertiary education, infrastructure, property development, and project management. His earlier career included service in the Australian Army and work as a Registered Nurse before progressing into health service management and senior leadership with Mater Health Services in Brisbane. His commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in qualifications in nursing, health service management, and project management.
His leadership in tertiary education was recognised in 2020 with the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Association’s highest leadership award across the Australasian tertiary education sector. Alongside his university responsibilities, Stephen has contributed to governance through board and advisory roles with government and charitable organisations, including current as a Director of MetService New Zealand, the Child Cancer Foundation, and ATEM.
Tel +64 3 479 8537
Email dvc.operations@otago.ac.nz
Bronson Blackbourn
Executive Assistant to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations)
As Executive Assistant, Bronson provides high-level confidential executive administration and support and is the first point of contact for the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations). In his role, Bronson manages the DVC’s appointments, meetings, correspondence, and engagements, while working closely with partners in other divisions to support the ongoing work of the Operations Group of Divisions. He also provides governance support to the Asset Management Committee and the Strategic Emergency Management Group.
Tel +64 3 556 6296
Email dvcops-office@otago.ac.nz
Naomi Weaver
Operations Strategist
As the Operations Strategist, Naomi works closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Operations) and the wider Operations Group Leadership Team to develop and implement key strategic frameworks and grow the capability of the Operations Group.
Tel +64 3 556 5551
Email naomi.weaver@otago.ac.nz
Mark Brunton
Senior Strategic Adviser, Māori
Mr Mark Brunton (Ngāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha), is the Senior Strategic Adviser, Māori in the Operations Group of Divisions. His role has responsibility for leading the group's implementation of the Māori Strategic Framework and coaching its leaders in applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi, rangatiratanga, tikanga, and kaitiakitanga.
Mark has more than 20 years’ experience in the computing industry in operations, software development, systems analysis and website design, development and management, and has previously held various roles with Databank, AgResearch, the Dunedin City Council and the University.
He has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce and a Master of Indigenous Studies at Otago.
Mark is also the professional staff representative on the University Council.
Mob +64 21 279 8599
Email mark.brunton@otago.ac.nz
Operations Group of Divisions
Tanya Syddall
Chief Property and Development Officer
As Chief Property and Development Officer, Tanya Syddall provides strategic leadership across the University’s property and campus development portfolio, encompassing strategic asset management, campus planning, property operations and capital investment. She leads the stewardship and development of the University’s built environment, ensuring its property and infrastructure support the University’s long-term priorities and provide safe, sustainable and future-focused environments for teaching, research and the student experience.
Tanya brings extensive experience in property, construction and capital development across the health and education sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Her career includes more than 15 years leading major capital projects and large, complex property portfolios.
Tanya has previously held a number of senior roles at the University of Otago, including Project Director, Director of Campus Development, and Director of Property and Campus Development. She returned to the University in 2026 as Chief Property and Development Officer to lead its property and campus development agenda, including the Places Enabler.
Tanya holds a Bachelor of Urban Development in Construction Management with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology.
Tel +64 3 556 5555
Email tanya.syddall@otago.ac.nz
Steven Turnbull
Chief Digital Officer
As the University of Otago’s Chief Digital Officer, Steven Turnbull provides strategic leadership for the University’s digital services and technology direction, supporting the effective use of digital capability across teaching, research and administration.
Steven brings extensive leadership experience across tertiary education, digital transformation, information technology and cybersecurity. Before joining Otago, he was Chief Digital Officer at Te Pūkenga, where he led digital services for an organisation supporting students nationwide.
Since joining the University, Steven has led the development of its Digital Strategy and Roadmap, with a focus on modernising core systems, addressing technical debt, strengthening cybersecurity and establishing the foundations for the University’s future digital transformation.
Alongside his digital career, Steven has longstanding experience with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, bringing an additional perspective in leadership and emergency response. His professional background spans technical, infrastructure, information security and senior digital leadership roles.
Tel +64 3 556 6499
Mob +64 21 711 392
Email cdo@otago.ac.nz
Dr Cherie McConville
Director, Divisional Services and Administration
Cherie is responsible for leading the team that provides operational and strategic management support for the divisions, and administrative services across the University.
Prior to working at the University, Cherie worked in a range of leadership roles. She joined Otago in 2018 to work part-time in Health Sciences whilst completing her thesis. She then moved to her current role as Director of Divisional Services and Administration in 2020, which is the University’s largest professional workforce with staff working across the motu.
Cherie holds a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), an MBA, a Master of Arts, and a Bachelor of Nursing. Cherie also lectures on the DBA programme on leadership and change.
Mob +64 21 279 6861
Email dsa.director@otago.ac.nz
James Lindsay
Director, Campus and Collegiate Life Services
As Director of Campus and Collegiate Life Services, James leads the University’s collegiate, accommodation and campus life services. His portfolio includes the University’s residential colleges, University Flats and Student Accommodation Centre, alongside the University Union, Staff Club, retail outlets, Hākitekura, Campus Activation and UniPrint.
James has more than 30 years’ experience in collegiate life, pastoral care, hospitality and commercial development within New Zealand’s tertiary education sector. He is a strong advocate for Otago’s collegiate experience and the important role that residential communities and campus services play in supporting students’ transition to university life, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
James also provides strategic leadership for the University’s non-core commercial services, with responsibility for identifying opportunities, strengthening commercial performance, and ensuring these services continue to meet the changing needs of students, staff and the wider University community.
Originally from Scotland, James has held senior roles across accommodation, catering, conferences, hospitality and commercial services at the University of Otago and Massey University. He is also a New Zealand Justice of the Peace.
Tel +64 3 479 8522
Email james.lindsay@otago.ac.nz
Deb Peach
Head of Risk, Assurance, and Compliance
Acting Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing
As Head of Risk, Assurance, and Compliance, Deb leads the University’s risk management, internal audit, and legislative compliance functions across its academic, research, administrative, project, and commercial activities.
In her concurrent role leading Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Deb provides leadership across the University’s health, safety and wellbeing function, supporting the University’s focus on effectively managing health and safety risks and maintaining oversight and assurance.
Mob +64 21 279 1050
Email deb.peach@otago.ac.nz
Dr Jared Hayes
Head of Transformation and Improvement
Jared leads the University’s Transformation and Improvement Office, supporting organisational change, innovation and continuous improvement across the University. His portfolio encompasses business case development, service and process improvement, automation, and the delivery of strategic programmes designed to improve the experience of staff and students and deliver lasting value for the University.
Jared holds a PhD in Information Sciences from the University of Otago and qualifications in programme and project management.
Tel +64 3 556 5551
Email naomi.weaver@otago.ac.nz
Dr Ray O'Brien
Head of Sustainability
As Tumuaki | Head of Sustainability, Ray provides strategic leadership for sustainability across the University, connecting teaching, research, operations and institutional strategy. His work supports the University’s transition towards a more sustainable future, guided by Tī Kōuka: The Sustainability Strategic Framework and its integration with the University’s wider strategic planning.
Ray has a diverse background spanning education, sustainability, organisational learning and leadership. Before joining Otago in 2020, he worked across tertiary education and learning design, including at Otago Polytechnic where he was responsible for integrating sustainability into learning and teaching.
At Otago, Ray co-led the development of Tī Kōuka and has championed a whole-of-institution approach that embeds sustainability across governance, teaching, research, operations and student life. His approach brings together sustainability, education and educational change to build shared responsibility for the University’s sustainability transition.
Ray holds a Master of Education and Doctorate of Professional Practice, alongside qualifications in human resource management and teaching.
Mob +64 21 766 937
Email ray.obrien@otago.ac.nz
Pepijn Wyffels
Head of Enterprise Project Management Office
Pepijn leads the University’s Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), which provides strategic oversight of the enterprise project portfolio and serves as a centre of excellence for project, programme and portfolio management. The EPMO supports the University to select the right projects, management them effectively and realise the intended strategic benefits from its investment.
Pepijn has extensive experience in portfolio prioritisation, benefits management, business case development, project governance, long-term capital planning, quality assurance and project recovery. He joined EPMO in 2018 and held roles including Senior Analyst and Enterprise Portfolio Manager before becoming Head of EPMO in 2023.
Under Pepijn’s leadership, the EPMO continues to strengthen the University’s project management capability and provide evidence-based analysis to support strategic investment decisions. The Office has received national and international recognition for its approach to portfolio management, project maturity and benefits realisation, including recognition through the Project Management Institute of New Zealand’s PMO of the Year awards.
Pepijn holds master’s degrees in Bioscience Engineering and General Management, together with professional accreditations spanning portfolio, programme and project management, process improvement and change management.