Meet the team

Emma has over a decade of experience in the Medical Device sector, with expertise spanning engineering, production, project management, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance. She has been instrumental in delivering both low and high-risk orthopaedic medical devices to various global markets. After meeting Maggie-Lee and learning about dysphagia, Emma discovered a passion she didn’t realise she had for swallowing. After realising the significant impact swallowing impairments have on people’s lives, and the absence of technology to support, joining SwalTech to advance their mission to produce life changing innovations was a no-brainer. Since joining SwalTech, Emma has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities, guiding the company’s operational and strategic growth. Originally from Ireland, Emma moved to New Zealand in 2012 and now resides in Christchurch. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, Nelson and Oatie, running silly distances and exploring all that New Zealand has to offer.

Eric was a paid fire fighter of 12 years before his life changed dramatically after a massive stroke leaving him without the ability to speak or swallow. After intensive rehabilitation in 2013 under the watchful eye of Maggie-Lee at the Rose Centre, Eric gained the ability to swallow and to the delight of his friends and family, speak again and he hasn’t shut up since! Eric knows first-hand what it’s like to lose what you took for granted and worked so hard to gain. He is passionate about helping others like himself by applying his living experience as a patient advocate, ensuring that the patient is kept at the core of everything that Swallowing Technologies does. Outside of work, Eric enjoys spending time exploring Christchurch indulging in the culinary delights it has to offer with his partner Jess.

Katherine recently arrived in New Zealand from Ireland. After graduating from her Masters degree in Biomolecular Science, Katherine worked for the National Virus Reference Laboratory providing viral diagnostics for patients across Ireland. Katherine is passionate about making a positive impact in the world of health sciences. Working as a Project Administrator Katherine will be assisting the team in the areas of Quality Management and Document control. Katherine is excited to work with such a diverse, enthusiastic and experienced team.

Kay joined Swallowing Technologies at the start of 2024 as a Software Engineering intern, and has since continued with the team as a part-time Software Developer while finishing their Computer Science degree at the University of Canterbury. With a love for cybersecurity, software development, and high-performance applications, as well as a broad skillset, Kay is thrilled to be working with - and learning from - such a talented and passionate team on projects that make a difference. Outside of work, they enjoy competitive games, speaking at conferences, and working on vehicles.

"Lisa brings a wide range of regulatory, quality and business knowledge to SwalTech. Her previous experience providing regulatory and quality leadership for low and high-risk medical device companies for over 8 years as well as working in sales, customer support and logistics roles, has built an extensive base of business process understanding.

Lisa is passionate about making sure our products are the best quality they can be for customers by using appropriate RA/QA processes to achieve the desired results. She is a firm believer that the team is everything, Lisa is very happy to be working alongside a highly focused and talented team.

When not working, Lisa takes every opportunity to join her family pursuing their passion for rallying. Lisa, her husband and two kids are all rally co-drivers competing at the national championship level in New Zealand with both children having success overseas and bright futures in the sport."

Nick has been in health tech for over 20 years, growing a predictive analytics company, culminating in a successful trade sale exit. He is passionate about growing businesses that make an enduring difference to people’s lives through technology. With significant experience in tech sales and marketing internationally, he leads hands on, “sitting in the shoes of customers” to help solve their challenges.

Outside of SwalTech, Nick has invested in tech businesses, coaches and mentors aspiring businesspeople, serves on advisory boards and is a Trustee for a reputable national charity.
Nick enjoys travelling, watching live sport with his family, golfing, long distance running , and partaking in fine craft beer and gin.

Ryan brings knowledge and experience designing and manufacturing embedded systems to Swallowing Technologies. After receiving a degree in Mechatronics Engineering, he gained industry experience in risk management as well as electrical and automation engineering while working with energy, followed by food and beverage contract engineering firms. Having a passion for R&D, Ryan subsequently moved into the OEM business, gaining knowledge and experience working to design manufacturable embedded systems with industrial and medical applications for the global market. Now focusing solely on the medical industry, Ryan is excited to be working with a great team to help bring innovative, life-changing technology to life. When not working, Ryan enjoys fencing (the sport with swords), and tinkering with electronics.

Steve worked for Deloitte for 36 years in IT consulting and accounting in New Zealand, the UK and the USA, after graduating from the University of Canterbury with Commerce and Computer Science degrees. Since taking early retirement from the big-4 five years ago, he has been a professional director and trustee, and focused on governance from start-ups to large organisations. His experience includes deputy chairman of the Canterbury District Health Board, chairman of the NZ Health Innovation Hub, pro-chancellor of the University of Canterbury, director of the HealthOne electronic medical record system limited partnership, and chairman of EVNEX Limited, an electric vehicle charge point company. Steve enjoys bringing his mix of commercial and technology skills to large complex organisations and small entrepreneurial start-ups, and working with a team who are brilliant, motivated, and working to make a positive difference in improving people’s lives.

Maggie-Lee worked as a clinician in the US healthcare system for 17 years before the frustration of never knowing ‘the Answers’ prompted her to pursue an academic career. She is the Founding Director of the Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research in Christchurch NZ. This clinic and clinical research facility welcomes patients as research partners, to develop diagnostic and rehab solutions for swallowing impairment that are co-designed with those they are intended to support. Currently, as a Distinguished Professor at the University of Canterbury with 23 years of clinical research and 40+ year of patient engagement to support her, she is now expanding her role to include that of MedTech Entrepreneur. With a driving purpose to transfer research from the ivory tower into the hands of clinicians and patients who will benefit, Maggie-Lee is the Founding Director and Chief Scientific Officer for Swallowing Technologies Ltd. When she is not working, she…oh never mind! As a start-up founder she is always working.