Executive Leadership Team

MOTAT'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

MOTAT'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE/MUSEUM DIRECTOR – CRAIG HICKMAN-GOODALL

Our Chief Executive/Museum Director, Craig Hickman-Goodall, is responsible for leading and developing MOTAT in line with its Vision, Values and Strategy and the objectives outlined in the MOTAT Act. He is responsible for the Museum’s culture, the MOTAT Team (both employees and volunteers), the achievement of its strategic and statutory objectives (as determined by the Board) and the development of its external partnerships and relationships.

Craig joined MOTAT in January 2022 as Chief Operating Officer and moved into the Chief Executive/Museum Director role on 1 July 2024. Craig has held several senior leadership positions in the arts, culture, and heritage sector in New Zealand, including the role as the Deputy Director of Auckland Art Gallery for six years and the Chief Executive of the St James Theatre and Opera House, and North Harbour Stadium. Craig is passionate about MOTAT - its Collections, Programmes and Team Members; and about serving the people, especially the young of Aotearoa New Zealand.

You can learn more about Craig here:

SALLY MANUIREVA – DIRECTOR, MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

Sally has worked in the cultural sector for over 20 years, including at Auckland War Memorial Museum, National Museums Scotland and various museums and galleries in England.  With a commitment to ensuring thriving, engaging cultural institutions, she is also Chair of the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy and a Trustee of Q Theatre in Auckland.

Sally is responsible for the Museum Experience Hub, covering Education, Exhibitions, Brand and Communications, Public Programmes and Visitor Services.  The purpose of the hub is to create the best possible experiences for MOTAT’s visitors, whether at the Museum, online or in the community, and to do so in collaboration with the Collections and Business Services Hubs and a wide range of external organisations.

ALBA LETTS – DIRECTOR, COLLECTIONS

Alba has worked in the arts, culture and heritage sector for the past 23 years, with 21 years experience in senior and executive positions in this sector. Through her commitment to using arts, culture and heritage as a means to build social cohesion, she has been instrumental in addressing historical imbalances through the development and promotion of museums as well as the planning, design and opening of new museums in South Africa.  Throughout her career, she has served on various Boards of Directors and reported to multiple stakeholders, including various structures representing the public at large.  This developed in her a passionately transformational mindset - her move to MOTAT was driven by an interest to utilise her skills and experience to contribute positively to MOTAT’s transition from “a collection of things” to a “lightbulb institution”.

Alba is responsible for the Collection Hub which covers Collection Development, Storage, Conservation, Workshops (restorations and maintaining operational collections), Heritage Buildings and the Walsh Memorial Library.  The focus of this hub is to ensure MOTAT cares for, develops and increases access to its diverse collection.

STACY BUSEK – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Stacy has worked at MOTAT since 2014 and has been instrumental in leading and implementing change at the Museum in this period, particularly with respect to the development of MOTAT’s culture and approach to managing risk. Throughout her career, Stacy has been a change leader and brings that skill and a passion for empowering organisations, and the people within them, to her role. Alongside her position as MOTAT, Stacy is a Board Member at TAPAC – another not-for-profit in the Western Springs Precinct – and an advisor to other organisations in the arts, culture, and heritage sector in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Stacy is responsible for the Business Services Hub, covering the management of MOTAT’s support services that include Finance and Commercial; People, Culture, and Wellbeing; ICT; Environment and Sustainability; as well as oversight of the Museum’s large capital projects.