Our People
Our people are talented and passionate digital design experts who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and empathy to the Media Design School teaching environment.
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Frances Valintine
Position:
CEO
Frances Valintine is the Chief Executive of Media Design School. She has provided the long-term direction for the development of the school and its programmes as well as ensuring the continuation of innovation and excellence that has shaped Media Design School into the world-class institute it is today. Frances’s career commenced in Europe where she worked in the design sector before returning to New Zealand in the early 1990s. Over the past twenty years she has worked extensively in the creative and technology sectors, including the development of a high-tech interactive company. She is deeply committed to the school’s ongoing development and delivery of highly relevant qualifications. Frances is a board member of the Santa Fe University of Art & Design in New Mexico, the New Zealand Game Developer’s Association and deputy chairperson for the Independent Tertiary Institutes of New Zealand. Frances is an exhibiting designer, a published writer and strong advocate for the arts.
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Fionna Scott
Position:
Dean of School
Fionna Scott is the Dean of School. She joined Media Design School in 2011, after 20 years at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design. In addition to extensive experience in tertiary education management and teaching, Fionna has a background in psychology and ergonomics. After many years in a fine arts environment, Fionna is now able to indulge her passion for all things Star Wars and is looking forward to making a difference as Media Design School moves to mostly degree level provision.
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Dr. Maria Walls
Position:
Programme Leader, Bachelor of Media Design
A progressive interdisciplinary artist, writer and academic, Maria has worked between industry and the New Zealand higher education sector for more than twelve years. Her career has spanned fine art, media, teaching and commercial application. At Media Design School she provides specialist team management, vision and future-focused teaching. Maria holds a doctorate from Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland, a Masters with Distinction and a First Class Honours degree from the University of Canterbury.
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David McCurdy
Position:
Academic Manager
David McCurdy is the Academic Manager at Media Design School. David is the original designer of Media Design School's Graduate Diploma of Game Development and the degree programmes. David has worked on robotic vision research both in academia and industry. David is a multi-award winning researcher.
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Zoltan Varadi
Position:
Chief Financial Officer
Zoltan is a senior level executive with extensive hands-on experience in financial strategy, general management and business leadership. Zoltan holds a BCOM from the University of Auckland and is a registered Chartered Accountant. Zoltan leads both the finance and operations function for Media Design School, including direct oversight of accounting practices, budgeting, financial planning and information technology. Zoltan pursues many sporting interests and holds a black belt in Karate, Judo and Shaolin Kung Fu.
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Jackie Young
Position:
Marketing Director
Jackie joined Media Design School in 2011 with a strong commercial background, particularly in marketing and communications within New Zealand and international environments. She has senior-level experience at companies such as Infotools, LexisNexis and Digitas. Jackie has also worked as a magazine editor on titles including Computerworld Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific Boating.