Erin Wansbrough appointed as new chief executive for SODA Inc

Erin Wansbrough has been appointed as chief executive of business founder incubator SODA Inc and will join them next month.

Her appointment is an exciting choice as she has a passion for entrepreneurship and brings a depth of business experience and knowledge of commercialisation. Most recently Wansbrough has been working at Adherium, a New Zealand digital health business, addressing the problem of adherence to prescription medicine through the commercialisation of digital health technologies, where she held the position of business development vice president. Graham Gaylard, SODA Inc chair, who announced the chief executive appointment to clients and staff this week, says he's delighted to have Wansbrough on board.   "Erin has great depth and knowledge about business innovation and commercialisation. SODA Inc has been going from strength to strength over the past year and we believe Erin's connections, experience and drive will help take SODA Inc to the next level," says Gaylard. Wansbrough's experience in business innovation includes having previously worked for Callaghan Innovation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

There, she had the opportunity to complete both the Entrepreneurship Development Program and the Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management.

She has also held senior management roles within Auckland UniServices, IMBcom, Genesis R-D Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Life Technologies.

She also holds a Masters of Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration. Erin says she is looking forward to continuing on the strong relationships SODA Inc has with its clients, business growth advisors and partners. "My passion is in assisting entrepreneurs to build successful companies and to provide them with opportunities in industry, network development, education and investment.

"The team at SODA Inc has been instrumental in growing and strengthening businesses throughout New Zealand and it will be a privilege to be able to lead an organisation that understands the growing pains, grit and perspiration required in the pursuit of business success."   SODA Inc works with founders from all industry sectors because it believes good ideas and opportunities can be found anywhere.

It matches expert advisors with founders to support them in building and growing a business around their goals. With headquarters in Wintec House in Hamilton, SODA Inc operates part-time, remote and customised incubation programmes for clients located throughout New Zealand, giving founders the flexibility to work within their local startup ecosystem.