Director of Campus Development
Tanya Syddall
Mob +64 21 279 0253
Email tanya.syddall@otago.ac.nz
Tanya is accountable for the strategic planning and delivery of the Strategic Capital Works program – the biggest investment in planning and capital projects in the University's history.
Tanya Syddall has 23 years' experience in the building engineering and construction industry in Australia and more recently in New Zealand. She has a breadth of knowledge in delivering complex capital projects with extensive experience in the health and education sectors and a passion for developing high performing and collaborative teams.
Tanya has been a client-side Project Manager for a global engineering firm and worked for Mater Health Services Brisbane where she held the role of Director Capital Works responsible for the planning and delivery of Mater's capital works program over several hospital campuses. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Urban Development majoring in Construction Management from the Queensland University of Technology.
Tanya relocated to New Zealand in February 2019 to lead the project team as Project Director for the University of Otago's Christchurch Campus Redevelopment Project. In February 2021 Tanya moved to Dunedin with her family to take on her new role as Director of Campus Development.
Strategic Architect
Gordon Roy
Mob +64 20 111 3009
Email gordon.roy@otago.ac.nz
Gordon is the University's Strategic Architect and leads the Strategy and Planning team in Campus Development, which comprises of the Resource Planner, Policy Adviser, and Building Services Engineer. Gordon has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Edinburgh and 18 years' post-qualification experience. Gordon has been with the University since 2017 and has been responsible for delivering numerous strategic plans for both Academic Divisions and the Residential Colleges.
Gordon is focussed on improving student experience and the facilities around campus as well as maximising the efficiency of the University's estate. Gordon supports the Campus Development Project Managers and Property Services Facility Managers by providing advice on architecture and design matters. This includes the delivery of the University's Design and Facility Standards and the Building Information Modelling Standards. He is also involved with the Te Rangihiroa Project, the Colleges and Health Sciences Master Plans.
Staff
Brier Bousie
Project Manager
Mob +64 20 400 97305
Email brier.bousie@otago.ac.nz
Brier joined the Campus Development Team in 2022. She holds a New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) and a passion for project management.
Brier previously worked for a local project management and advisory services provider gaining valuable experience on the New Dunedin Hospital project. She is now a Project Manager and is leading the Arana College seismic/fire compliance project.
Brier loves both work and life in beautiful Dunedin. Outside of office hours you’ll find Brier on a trail with her exuberant golden-doodle.
Beth Chisholm
Project Manager
Mob +64 27 480 6062
Email beth.chisholm@otago.ac.nz
Beth has worked at the University of Otago for nearly 10 years, in a range of roles across different divisions.
Beth started with Campus Development in 2017 as the Project Coordinator on the Dunedin School of Dentistry Redevelopment. She now works as a Project Manager, supporting the delivery of the Campus Development Division's portfolio of projects.
Beth is currently leading the Aquinas College Extension project, as part of the Combined Colleges Programme.
Alex Christos
Architect / Designer
Mob +64 21 279 1191
Email alex.christos@otago.ac.nz
Alex joined the Campus Development team in February 2023. He holds Bachelor and Master's degrees in Architecture from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and professional registration in Australia and New Zealand.
Alex brings over 9 years of professional experience in the field to the role. Prior to joining the University, Alex worked on high-end residential projects across Melbourne and Central Otago. He has also helped deliver a range of Education projects, including new-builds and refurbishments of Primary and Secondary Schools and University projects.
Alex is keenly interested in socially-responsive design, sustainability and built heritage, and looks forward to his work contributing toward a vibrant, sustainable, and architecturally exciting University campus to be enjoyed by students and staff alike.
Tammuz Downie
Assistant Project Manager
Email tammuz.downie@otago.ac.nz
Tammuz joined Campus Development in July 2023, bringing with her a wealth of administrative experience gained from various roles within our University. Her most recent position was as a Lead Administrator at the Dunedin School of Medicine. With a diverse background spanning various administrative roles, Tammuz possesses a strong skill set suited to navigating the complexities of project management.
Tammuz holds the role of Assistant Project Manager, where she actively applies her expertise to the Strategic Space Project, ensuring its seamless implementation and alignment with objectives.
Outside of work, you will often find Tammuz travelling to new destinations or enjoying quality time with her furry companion.
Kirsten Eichstaedt
Project Manager
Mob +64 21 279 0397
Email kirsten.eichstaedt@otago.ac.nz
Kirsten’s role as Project Manager Organisational Development has a service focus and aims to ensure the department’s needs are understood through building partnerships with key stakeholders both within the University and externally. Kirsten applies her skills to deliver operationally ready spaces that are fit for purpose for the end users.
Kirsten completed undergraduate and postgraduate study at the University of Otago and returned in 2013 to commence work in the Residential College. In 2021 she joined the Campus Development team during the construction of Te Rangihīroa to bring College specific knowledge to the project.
In every project team Kirsten is involved with she is committed to providing excellent outcomes for the betterment of tauira (students), kaimahi (staff) and the University.
Donna Howell
Project Director, UOC Campus Redevelopment Project
Mob +64 29 772 5382
Email donna.howell@otago.ac.nz
Originally from Wellington, Donna and her husband moved to Christchurch in 2015. After a short stint in Auckland, they returned to Christchurch in 2020. Donna joined the University of Otago as Project Director for the Christchurch Campus Redevelopment project in early 2021.
Donna holds a Bachelor of Architecture with Honours from Auckland University and is a certified Project Management Professional and Agile Practitioner. She has worked in the construction industry for more than 25 years, including in architectural practice, construction delivery (main contractor) and both client side and consultancy professional project management. She has held senior leadership positions through all phases of major and complex capital projects delivery and is experienced in a range of delivery models.
Donna is actively involved in strategic level advocacy for increased collaboration, innovation, and diversity in capital project delivery, and for quality and sustainability in the built environment. She is passionate about driving sustainability, quality and community well-being through creativity, design thinking, agile practices and robust project management and governance frameworks.
Since returning from Auckland, Donna has a new appreciation for the Canterbury lifestyle, and has taken up mountain biking and skiing in addition to her yoga practice and gym training. She will always support the Hurricanes.
Wes Jenkins
Manager Project Delivery
Mob +64 21 279 8022
Email wes.jenkins@otago.ac.nz
Wes was involved with the Faculty of Dentistry's new Clinical Services Building and the redevelopment of the adjoining Walsh Building. He began the redevelopment concept design in 2014 and his focus was on the infrastructure, construction, decant, client commissioning, the installation and commissioning of specialist medical equipment (dental chairs, radiographic scanners, and sterilisers/washers). He is now working on the completion of the Eccles Building and is investigating the feasibility of an Inter-professional Learning Centre as a part of the Health Sciences Programme and Master Plan.
Wes brings to the role 11 years' client, account, and production management experience in the print and large-scale exhibition sectors in the United Kingdom. After emigrating to New Zealand in 2011, he worked in property management for 3 years before commencing work in project management.
Wes is a certified Project Management Professional.
Kim Sneddon
Project Manager
Tel +64 21 279 4034
Email kim.sneddon@otago.ac.nz
Kim began working at the University in 2015 with the Property Management Unit, where she provided administrative support. She now works as a Project Manager, supporting the delivery of the Campus Development Division's portfolio of projects.
Kim is leading the Aquinas College Extension and the Arana and Studholm Colleges Compliance projects as part of our Combined Colleges Programme. She is also assisting with the Te Rangihiroa Development.
Ian Stephenson
Building Services Engineer
Tel +64 3 479 8650
Email ian.stephenson@otago.ac.nz
Ian, originally from the United Kingdom, made the move to New Zealand in 1994 and is now a New Zealand Citizen. Prior to joining the University of Otago team in 2021, Ian worked as a building services design consultant and has 27 years of New Zealand based consultancy experience, much of which has been with major companies including Beca and Connell Wagner (now Aurecon). During his time as a consultant Ian has worked on numerous University of Otago projects in various roles. Immediately prior to joining the University Team, Ian had a significant mechanical services design role on the $1.47 Billion, New Dunedin Hospital Project, working on this project from concept stage through to developed design.
Ian is the University's Building Services Engineer working as a part of the Strategy and Planning team in Campus Development, which also comprises of the Strategic Architect and Resource Planner. Ian has a BEng Honours Degree in Building Services Engineering Design and Management from the University of Reading. Ian is also a Chartered Professional Engineer and a chartered member of Engineering New Zealand.
Ian's focus is on supporting the Campus Development team's goal of improving the student experience and the facilities around campus and maximising the efficiency of the University's estate with a particular focus on energy and environmental comfort. Ian supports the Campus Development Project Managers and Property Services Facility Managers by providing advice on Building Services matters. This includes input into the University's Design and Facility Standards and the review of building services designs provided by outside consultants.
Claire Swift
Strategic Space Programme Manager
Tel +64 3 556 5002
Email claire.swift@otago.ac.nz