Our People

Sam Alavi has more than 30 years of experience in the tertiary education sector.

He has focused on second-chance education in South Auckland, higher-level tertiary training in construction and built environments, as well as graduate and postgraduate tertiary education in Management, IT, and Construction for international learners coming to New Zealand for tertiary studies. 

Sam founded Future Skills Academy in 2000. Over the years he has grown the academy to include higher tertiary level programmes at Diploma levels. He partnered with Otago Polytechnic in 2012 to establish the Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus, catering to international learners wanting a New Zealand tertiary qualification.

Sam serves as the Future Skills Academy Group Chief Executive, responsible for Future Skills Academy domestic education and the Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus.

He also serves on the Boards of Auckland International Campus, Future Skills Academy, and IamCapable. Sam has a governance role for the delivery of building surveying to Building Control Authorities for regional councils with the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ) and the Skills Organisation.

Gagan has been associated with Future Skills since early 2007. As part of the senior leadership team, Gagan played a key role in managing and growing the institution over the last 17 years, with Category I status awarded by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

In his current role as Deputy CEO, Gagan is responsible for driving business growth and monetising new opportunities by deploying cutting-edge technology and marketing tools. Gagan has also led a number of strategic projects including the development of an online portfolio platform, www.iamcapable.co.nz, for learner capability development and enhanced employability of graduates.

As the founder member of Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus in 2012, the international education arm of Future Skills established in partnership with Otago Polytechnic, Gagan was in charge of setting up the initial team and growing the business. The organisation witnessed exponential growth over the period since its inception.

Prior to joining Future Skills Academy, Gagan pursued his entrepreneurial journey as the Founder Director of a logistics company providing warehouse management solutions in India before which he had been involved in setting up and growing new business models with Aviva Life Insurance and Times Internet in India.

Amin has worked at Future Skills Academy and Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus in many different roles- Financial Controller, Operations Manager, Director of Finance, and now DCE Corporate Services.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University. A chartered accountant, he is a full member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Amin’s goal for learners is to see them enjoy their time with us as well as having access to all the resources and support they need to complete their qualification.

“They should expect that they have clear information about their programme and what is expected of them, that their lecturers have in-depth knowledge and are experts in their field of teaching.”

Amin is inspired by successful alumni.

He wants prospective learners to know their time at Future Skills Academy is short and they should make the most of it. He encourages students to ask questions, engage in classes, participate in events, and stay connected after graduating.

Saras joined the team as a Quality Development Specialist in January 2021. She previously enjoyed an extensive career in tertiary education in early childhood education. She has a wealth of experience in tertiary teaching, leading academic staff, programme development along with delivery in the face-to face, online and distance modes of study. Saras is passionate about providing students with quality learning experiences that enable them to achieve successful outcomes in their educational endeavours. She is committed to supporting the Future Skills Academy team to achieve this through the development of quality programmes of study.  

Vicky is a committed and passionate people-oriented professional with more than 20 years of experience in the human resources domain. She is responsible for the management of the human resources strategy and operational activity across our campuses.

She started her working career as a school dental nurse. Vicky lived in the Solomon Islands for eight years. She is an obsessive gardener and grower of organic food.

Her industry experience comprises three years as a PA and four years in Human Resources (HR), at FedEx.  Vicky started work at Future Skills in 2007 as an EA, and with some HR functions.  By September 2017, her role had evolved to full-time HR, where she continues to lead the team today. 

She holds a PGDip Business Administration and a Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Vicky’s goal for each learner is to see them supported by well-qualified, caring, supportive staff, and achieving the learning outcomes they aspire to. She believes their educational experience should be relevant, interesting, and meaningful with hands-on and experiential learning. Her goal is for each learner to have the support of a patient, supportive, and nurturing teacher.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do at Future Skills Academy.”

Vicky is inspired by learning new things, helping others to succeed and the beauty of nature.

Saras joined the team as a Quality Development Specialist in January 2021.

She previously enjoyed an extensive career in tertiary education in early childhood education. She has a wealth of experience in tertiary teaching, leading academic staff, programme development along with delivery in the face-to face, online and distance modes of study.

Saras is passionate about providing students with quality learning experiences that enable them to achieve successful outcomes in their educational endeavours. She is committed to supporting the Future Skills Academy team to achieve this through the development of quality programmes of study.  

Susan Warring develops new programmes and qualifications for Future Skills Academy.

She holds a Master of Management (Marketing), a Certificate in Designing and Facilitating E-learning, a National Certificate in Adult Literacy Education (Educator), and a National Certificate in Adult Education.

Her early career started in Sales and Marketing.

Susan’s goal for students is for all learners to have a future and to reach their potential. She is inspired by seeing her students succeed and participate in society.

“Learners should expect respect and empathy from the FSA staff and expect their study programmes to be relevant and engaging.”

During her leisure time, she enjoys running to unwind.

“I have run half marathons in the past and am still running, and plan to keep going as long as I can, although for much shorter distances.”

Susan left school at 15 without qualifications but returned to high school as an adult student. She continued her education at university where she gained her bachelor’s degree followed by her master’s degree.

Susan has published four articles in peer-reviewed international journals relating to pedagogy, and has been a peer reviewer for an International Journal of Marketing.

Rajika Vyas holds a National Certificate in Adult Teaching, a National Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy, bachelor’s degrees in both education and science, a master’s equivalent degree in computers, and a horticultural qualification.

She has worked in education in New Zealand and overseas for 32 years and also has experience working in the public sector as a junior system analyst and application specialist.

Her research interests include student-centred learning and Māori student wellbeing.

Rajika believes in student wellbeing and pastoral care as the basis of teaching practices. She says learners thrive with care and nurturing.

Outside of work, she loves gardening and collecting exotic plants. She’s an avid tramper and has hiked Tongariro, Mt Taranaki, the Hillary Trail, and the Pinnacles to name a few. She also loves to travel, particularly to places that have amazing architecture and culture. She hopes to one day volunteer for the SPCA or an animal refuge. She also enjoys crochet, yoga, and walks for mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing.

Kavi has a passion for people and that is why he loves what he does in his role as Relationship Manager at Future Skills Academy. Aside from work, he is an absolute sports fanatic and loves to travel.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Management) and a postgraduate BCOMM Honours in Strategic Management. He has about 15 years of experience in sales and marketing in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Kavi’s career began in sales at a call centre, transitioned to marketing agencies, and most recently into leadership roles in sales and marketing within the tertiary education sector for the past five years.

His goal is for students to make an informed decision about their intended career path and to give our learners the best chance to succeed in both their studies and personal lives. Future Skills Academy prides itself on its whānau-orientated environment that welcomes every student with individualised support in an inclusive environment. As a Private Training Establishment, our campus and class sizes-about 20 on average- are smaller than universities and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics. This ensures our students feel supported and not overwhelmed by a large setting.

Kavi is inspired by the ability to change people’s lives through education. Education is something that is needed in any walk of life and comes in different shapes and forms. It is important that we are always learning, or we are never going to get better. He loves having the opportunity to lead, guide, and be a great example to others, by learning from all those around him.

He wants prospective learners to know it is never too late to learn something new and that people are never too young or old to start a new area or level of study.

LeeAnne has always been passionate about helping students start their educational learning journey. Making sure they have chosen the right programme and knowing that she has played a small part in their academic success gives her great joy.

LeeAnne has worked in the educational industry for more than 25 years. She holds a Diploma in Business Administration. Her goal for each learner is the successful completion of their chosen programme. She says students should expect top-quality teaching and learning from industry professionals.

She is inspired by working as a member of the marketing and recruitment team, seeing projects from initiation through to completion, looking for new ideas to be able to recruit students, and knowing that she has been a part of it.

Future Skills Academy is a wonderful place to study, LeeAnne says.

“The staff, fellow students, and lecturers will all support you 100 percent through your academic study, motivate you to learn, and inspire you to achieve the impossible. It all starts with you taking the first step and we will help you walk the mile.”

Originally from Singapore, Jean has lived in New Zealand for the past 17 years with her husband and two children. Compared to the concrete jungle that Singapore is, Jean loves Aotearoa for its wide, open spaces, fresh air, and beaches. Other than spending time with family, friends and in church, Jean enjoys heading into the bush for tramps, and chasing sunrises and sunsets.

She holds an Honours degree in Social Science from the National University of Singapore. Jean comes from a strong public relations, corporate communications, and marketing background. The industries she has worked in include youth development, trade events, property development, and manufacturing.

Her goal for each learner is to see them achieve success- not only in their studies at Future Skills Academy but also in their lives.

“All students should be supported academically and emotionally,” she says.

“An adult student’s journey in pursuit of education is quite different from that of a young person. They have so much more to juggle- work, family, young children and for some, the opportunity cost of leaving work. I see many having to make big sacrifices just to do their studies. They deserve lots of encouragement and positive motivation from us to get to the end and to complete their course.”

Jean is inspired by positive people, who can lift and carry those who are struggling.

“I’ve met a few such people here at Future Skills Academy.”

She is also inspired by people who are willing to pick themselves up after a setback and make a positive change in their lives.

“One student I enrolled had a very bright future snatched away from a terrible accident but has decided to make the best use of her recuperation period by studying with us.”

Jean believes a good education is your passport to a better life.

“It may not be easy but if you put in the effort, Future Skills Academy will be here to support you.”

Sima has been part of the Future Skills Academy team since 2019.

She has two daughters, two sons and four grandchildren. In her leisure time, she relishes reading, walking, dancing and helping people.

Sima has served as a social worker and a career advisor in the educational field and has worked in Private Training Establishments for more than 19 years.

She is inspired by students’ achievements and by seeing them continue to study other programmes with us because of their positive experience at Future Skills Academy.

“Prospective learners are unique, and their exclusivity matters to us.”

Born in Fiji, Hash moved to New Zealand when he was six months old. His interests include writing, playing chess, watching movies, socialising with friends, and occasionally working out at the gym.

He earned his Bachelor of Business degree at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) where he majored in Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, and Sales and minored in Management. Hash did a two-month internship with SapcetoCo during his final university semester.

He wants anyone who has the desire to further their education (whether it be as a hobby or to start or upscale their career) to feel motivated, encouraged, appreciated, and supported for the passion and time invested into broadening their skill set and educational capabilities.

“I’ve always been taught that no matter what you do in life, to always have an open mind and to never suppress your own expectations or limits,” he says.

“I’d like to pass on that advice to future students. There will of course be ups and downs in anything you do in life and learning is no different. Just remember that when you're experiencing these downs, that knowledge, and your ability to learn are always going to be limitless.”

Hash is inspired by people who possess ambition, kindness, passion, positivity, and a hard work ethic.

“Seeing people who can pick themselves up when they fall, who are willing to always help others, and who are always able to see the good in the worst of times also inspire me.”

He encourages prospective learners to invest the time to further their education.

“Your capability to learn is limitless because knowledge will always be endless.”

Outside work, he enjoys family movie nights, catching up with friends, and watching television shows.

Ivy Fisk has an economics and finance background. She graduated with a master’s degree in Finance.

She entered the education sector in 2013 and found her passion in this industry. Ivy has worked in various roles including programme advisory, administration, student services, pastoral care and marketing. She has experience working with domestic students, as well as international students.

Ivy is passionate about helping students find the right programmes for them and empowering them with the skills they need to contribute to our community. She says education is life-changing, and it’s her mission to introduce our fantastic learning opportunities to our students and help them establish a new career pathway.

Ivy’s parents are both teachers and she inherited their passion for education. The family believes education is power, and education can transform people’s lives.  

Outside of work, Ivy likes to go to the gym, take care of plants, and play the snare drum.

Riya Vishnoi is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Information Technology with a major in Software Development. She has been working as an IT Support Specialist at Future Skills since the middle of 2023. Prior to that, she worked in the hospitality industry.

Being a student herself, Riya understands how overwhelming studies and a new environment can be. She believes that a small smile is sometimes enough to make a learner's day. She aims to help learners by being a support system they can rely on, using her technical expertise as well as her experience as a fellow student. Riya says it is crucial for her to know that each learner feels confident in their journey with us. She loves being able to make a difference in their learning journey and having a positive impact on everyone who comes to Future Skills to pursue their dreams.

Outside of work, Riya loves reading books. At one point she had a personal home library of more than 500 books with her own library stamp. She also loves the outdoors and says one of the reasons she came to New Zealand was for the landscapes.

Yuying Yang completed a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) through New Zealand Tertiary College and a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages through the University of Auckland.  She is currently working towards a Level 5 Diploma of Adult Teaching.

Yuying has previously worked as teacher at an early childhood education centre as well as a tutor aid at a Private Training Establishment, supporting learners to complete their courses and achieve their learning objectives.

Yuying says learning is a lifelong journey, and she encourages students to embrace curiosity, resilience, and a growth mindset. She models a commitment to continuous learning and personal development, demonstrating that it is okay to seek help and learn from setbacks.

Outside of work, Yuying loves puzzles, hiking with friends, and skateboarding.

Emera Joseph is a young and thriving Tahitian/Cook Islander, born and raised in Mangere.

She has a security background and has facilitated community programmes and workshops for all ages indoors and outdoors. Emera has experience with vocational pathways, pastoral care, recruitment, and marketing.

Emera is passionate about helping and wants to see and make changes within people and communities.

She aims to be part of every second chance learner’s journey, helping to guide and support them towards a better future for themselves and their families.

Outside of work, Emera is interested in sports of all kinds, calligraphy, and cars.

Mukul Sharma’s job involves creating and maintaining new and existing apps and websites.

Mukul is originally from Chandigarh, which is a city in the northern area of India. He came to New Zealand in 2019 and completed his Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences at AUT.

He also has experience working as a software test automation engineer and support analyst.

Mukul says he always wanted to become a software developer and use his studies and experience from projects in the real world. Future Skills Academy has given him that perfect opportunity to grow and improve his skills and get the experience he wants working on different projects along the way.

He loves helping staff and students manage their time better with new products which gives him a sense of accomplishment.

Outside of work, Mukul is an outgoing person who loves to meet his friends and family and spend time with them. He also loves travelling to different parts of the country and experiencing the beauty of every town. He likes to stay active and keep in shape. He’s a big-time foodie too, so you will definitely see him with a lot of takeaways.

Rovil Kumar is based at Manukau but occasionally works at our Royal Oak campus. He works on Information Technology projects, maintaining good security as well as supporting staff and students.

Before joining the academy, he was an IT Support Engineer at Fisher and Paykel Appliances where he supported and maintained systems, the network, and applications. He holds a master’s degree in information systems.

Rovil moved to Aotearoa in 2017 from Fiji. In his leisure time, he pursues interests in crypto, a collection of binary data designed to work as a medium of exchange, new technologies, fishing, cooking, and sports.

His goal for each learner is that they build a strong network and stay positive.

“Always smile and find a solution.”

Rovil is inspired by learning new things and working with different teams.

Jay has lived in New Zealand since 2002. He has three children, Ivana, Damon, and Darren. Wife Nicole works at Barfoot and Thompson as a real estate agent.

Jay is a Charted Accountant and a full member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

He holds a Bachelor of Business Degree with a major in Marketing from Unitec and a Master of Professional Accounting from AUT University.

He has worked at Future Skills Academy and Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus for the past four years. Before that, he worked as an account administrator at a scooter retailer for about three years.

Jay aims to see each learner well-resourced and supported throughout the education journey. His other goal is for students to find employment or move into further study after they graduate.

He says students should expect to have lecturers who are knowledgeable in their field and to experience a safe, welcoming, family-oriented learning environment.

Overcoming obstacles and challenges to achieve new stages of life inspires him.

“The success of others would also empower my journey.”

Jay urges prospective students to ask as many questions as they like.

“There will always be a solution for their question.” 

Shaleshni Deo is a New Zealand citizen with Fiji Indian nationality. She has lived in Aotearoa for more than 10 years.

She has a Fiji Bachelor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a New Zealand Diploma in Business Administration and Technology, and a New Zealand Certificate in Tourism and Aviation. She came to Future Skills Academy with 12 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry along with five years of experience in New Zealand education.

Her goal for each learner is to think positively to stay focussed. During their teaching and learning experience, students should always put forth their best effort, she says.

“I would have to say that the changes and growth of Future Skills Academy towards adopting new technologies and tools have greatly inspired me.”

Education shows us the importance of hard work and, at the same time, helps us grow and develop, she says.

Vicky is a committed and passionate people-oriented professional with more than 20 years of experience in the human resources domain. She is responsible for the management of the human resources strategy and operational activity across our campuses.

She started her working career as a school dental nurse. Vicky lived in the Solomon Islands for eight years. She is an obsessive gardener and grower of organic food.

Her industry experience comprises three years as a PA and four years in Human Resources (HR), at FedEx.  Vicky started work at Future Skills in 2007 as an EA, and with some HR functions.  By September 2017, her role had evolved to full-time HR, where she continues to lead the team today. 

She holds a PGDip Business Administration and a Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Vicky’s goal for each learner is to see them supported by well-qualified, caring, supportive staff, and achieving the learning outcomes they aspire to. She believes their educational experience should be relevant, interesting, and meaningful with hands-on and experiential learning. Her goal is for each learner to have the support of a patient, supportive, and nurturing teacher.

“Our students are at the heart of everything we do at Future Skills Academy.”

Vicky is inspired by learning new things, helping others to success and the beauty of nature.

Born and raised in Auckland, Danielle Harrison is of Cook Island, New Zealand European descent. She enjoys playing indoor netball, going to the beach, baking, and spending time with family.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in international hospitality management along with a double major in Human Resources and Accommodation. Danielle spent four years working in Human Resources in the healthcare industry before joining Future Skills Academy.

Her goal for students is to see them successfully complete learning and be able to use that knowledge in employment.

“We should provide students with a welcoming environment, kind staff, useful industry experience and information.”

She is inspired by family, friends, and acts of kindness.

Born in Aoteoroa, Rachel relishes working with people who love what they do and is thrilled to be part of the Future Skills Academy team.  At home, Rachel is a wife and mum and loves to read, walk, and spend time with family and friends.

Having been both a business owner and manager for many years, Rachel is aware of the importance of providing an environment where each person is supported to achieve, develop, and grow both professionally and personally.

Rachel loves to see kinship and kindness in action. She believes people can become and achieve much more in a collaborative environment than in isolation.

He aha te mea nui? Māku e kii atu, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. | What is the most important thing in the world? Well, let me tell you, it is people, it is people, it is people.