Event Details

The Northland Chapter of the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) warmly invites you to join us for the Te Kamo High School Project Revisit on Thursday 27 March, at 5:30pm.

Revisit of the Te Kamo high school project, attendees will have the opportunity to view the fully completed buildings recently occupied by the school as well as the next building in progress, and the demolition activity’s. We will then have selected speakers who will give their different perspective’s on the project. This will be followed by refreshments and an opportunity to network. 

Presenter Details

Dr Olga Lozova - Senior Construction Project Manager, Ministry of Education

Dr Olga Lozova is a Senior Construction Project Manager at the Ministry of Education New Zealand with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. She currently leads multimillion-dollar capital works portfolios, specializing in educational facilities. As Project Delivery Manager, she oversees major projects including Albany Primary School, Windy Ridge School, and Pinehill School.

Dr Lozova holds a PhD in Built Environment Engineering from Auckland University of Technology, focusing on decarbonization through green hydrogen technologies. She's also a part-time lecturer at AUT in Construction Economics and Construction Engineering Management.

As Chair of Women in Project Management at PMINZ and an active member of NAWIC NZ, she's a passionate advocate for women in the construction industry. She was recently named a finalist for the 2024 Outstanding Leader of the Year Award.

Her expertise spans strategic project oversight, sustainability initiatives, and stakeholder management across public and private sectors. She consistently delivers projects ahead of schedule and under budget by implementing innovative value engineering solutions, effective risk mitigation strategies, and fostering strong team collaboration.

Damien Strogen - Delivery Team Manager, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga / Ministry of Education

Damien loves his role leading a high performing delivery team through collaboration, listening, hearing, time investment and humour.

Damien is a team leader of seven, overseeing a portfolio of capital works projects for the Ministry of Education; and has been heavily focused on the Kamo High School Redevelopment since 2020, guiding the project into construction.

With experience in multiple industry sectors worldwide including mining, mineral exploration, oil and gas, telecommunications, commercial construction, building services, renewable energy and climate resilience, IT and now Education construction, Damien’s career shows with the right transferrable skills, opportunities are plentiful. Never be pigeon-holed. Damien is the proud parent of one fur baby, Belle, who is currently going through teenage tantrums. His passions are running, aviation, travel and ocean swimming.

Lesley McCardle - Executive Officer, Te Kamo High School

Lesley McCardle is the Executive Officer at Te Kamo High School.  Her portfolios include finance and property.   She has been involved in schools for almost 30 years in the finance sector.  She also taught Business Studies at a senior level for 20 years.  

She has been involved in the new school build project for the past four years.   The largest property project Lesley was involved in prior to this build was the building of He Matariki Teen Parent School in Raumanga.   She hopes to be able to share some insight into the new school build at Kamo High School from her lens and answer any questions that come her way.   It has been her privilege to be involved in this project with never a dull moment and culminating in a state of the art facility which students and staff alike are thoroughly enjoying. 

Natasha Hemara - Principal, Te Kamo High School

Ko au te uri o Ngapuhi,Ko Te Mahurehure, Ko Ngati Hau ki Whakapara oku hapu

I have worked in a diverse range of schools such as: single sex; co-educational; large area schools; and I have taught and led in a variety of schools of different deciles (ranging from 1A to 10). Each experience has assisted me to work closely and support a number of different communities with diverse backgrounds and needs.

Culturally sustaining practices underpin my everyday leadership actions and interactions.

I have a deep commitment to creating spaces for our Treaty of Waitangi to be realised. I believe that we in schools have an obligation to ensure that the principles of protection, partnership and participation are embodied in the schooling experience for all students.

I have experience in including meaningful community (students, whanau, mana whenua) voice in decision making at all school levels.

I have led the establishment of a brand new high school as a foundation Principal (Rototuna High Schools).

I have engaged in three design and build processes whilst in senior leadership - Southern Cross Campus, Rototuna Senior High School and Te Kamo High School).

Annika Te Wheoro - Project Manager, McMahon Services

Annika has been in the construction and facilities industry since 2014, with her first position for the New Zealand Army across a variety of military bases project managing various construction projects.

Since 2019, Annika has been a Project Manager at McMahon Services, an international award-winning construction services provider specialising in asbestos removal and demolition.

Annika’s expertise includes managing construction, hazardous material remediation, and demolition teams on often large and complex sites, coordinating different workflows, multiple subcontractors, while holding ultimate responsibility for the financial performance and timely delivery of projects.

Her ability to build relationships with clients, suppliers, and site staff sets her apart and her commitment to health and safety means her sites are run to the highest of standards.