Shay Wright
About Shay Wright
Shay Wright serves as the Leader for the Asia Pacific region at the Obama Foundation and has held various leadership roles in organizations focused on Māori development and youth growth. With extensive experience in strategy, stakeholder management, and education, Wright has contributed significantly to multiple initiatives aimed at fostering indigenous growth.
Work at Obama Foundation
Shay Wright serves as the Leader for the Asia Pacific region at the Obama Foundation since 2019. In this role, Wright is involved in coordinating various initiatives that align with the foundation's mission to inspire and empower individuals to create positive change in their communities. This position allows Wright to leverage extensive experience in program development and stakeholder management to enhance the foundation's impact in the Asia Pacific area.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Wright holds multiple positions that reflect a commitment to indigenous growth and youth development. As a Fellow at the Edmund Hillary Fellowship since 2020, Wright engages with a network of leaders to foster social entrepreneurship. Additionally, Wright has been a member of the Kahui Maori at the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge since 2016, advising on initiatives that support Māori innovation. As a Co-Founder of Te Whare Hukahuka since 2015, Wright focuses on developing training programs aimed at empowering Māori businesses.
Previous Experience
Wright has a diverse background in various leadership and advisory roles. From 2011 to 2014, Wright worked at The Icehouse as the Head of Māori Development, where responsibilities included designing and coordinating business training programs. Wright also served on the Board of Trustees for Teach First NZ from 2011 to 2017. Earlier in 2010, Wright worked as an Academic tutor and mentor at The University of Auckland, contributing to the MATES and CATS Scholarship programs.
Education and Expertise
Wright studied at The University of Auckland, focusing on Managerial Accounting and Law, and achieved a Bachelor of Commerce. Additionally, Wright completed studies at Kaitaia College, earning degrees in commerce and law. This educational background supports Wright's strong skills in commercialization, startup and growth strategy, and social entrepreneurship, which are applied in various professional roles.
Skills and Specializations
Wright possesses a range of skills that contribute to effective leadership and strategic development. Key areas of expertise include Māori development, writing, design, education strategies, and social entrepreneurship. Wright has facilitated strategy projects for numerous enterprises, helping them to execute and grow into world-class organizations. This skill set is complemented by experience in communications and marketing, gained during a year at The Icehouse.