You cannot be found if you don’t put your flame up.
Julia Arnott-Neenee (Samoan, Chinese & British) is a champion for Digital Equity, increased representation of Pacific Peoples in Technology, and an experienced Tech professional with a career spanning NZ, Australia, United Kingdom and the United States.
Driven by Justice, People and Futures, Julia is dedicated to looking at how Technology can impact the most people for the better, advocating progress that reaches the whole of society. At the age of 24 years old Julia was selected for the role of Strategic Planner of United Kingdom & Ireland for HP Inc, given the current representation of Pacific People in the Technology sector locally is 2.8% Julia defied all odds to not only achieve a senior strategic role at the Fortune 50 company but also to proudly represent Pacific wahine on the global stage.
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After returning home to New Zealand from California in 2020 at age 27, having left her role as Global Social Strategy Lead at HP Inc. in San Diego, she co-founded Fibre Fale, a Pacific-led social enterprise aimed at creating pathways for Pacific people in technology. As part of her mission to serve Pacific communities, Julia now leads Fibre Fale as CEO. The organisation has successfully earned support from the Spark Foundation, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Foundation, Foundation North, Perpetual Guardian, and individual donors through its educational programs, facilitation services, and advocacy work.
In her governance and leadership positions Julia is notably often the only Pacific and/or youngest member. This is the case for the Digital Council for Aotearoa, World Economic Forum Global Futures Council on Artificial Intelligence and Inclusion, Trustee of Hi-Tech Trust, Board Member of Pinnacle Incorporated, NEXT Foundation Fellow and alumni of Leadership New Zealand's Mana Moana programme.
Julia has been recognised for this work as Finalist for Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual award 2024, Semi-Finalist for Kiwibank Young New Zealander of the Year 2024, Sunpix Pacific Peoples Enterprise Award Winner 2023, University of Canterbury Young Alumni Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award Winner 2023.
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Julia's Background and Creating the Future
The Hi-Tech Awards are one of NZs most prestigious and well attended ceremonies, with 1300 people, multiple Sirs and Madams, VIPs, Ministers and even the Prime Minister in attendance - not t ... keep reading Hi-Tech Awards
Julia absolutely nailed our brief. She epitomised the supportive spirit of the event and turned herself in number one cheerleader for our speakers who were pitching for investment that evening. Julia also read the room of investors really well. She got them smiling, engaging and laughing - which isn’t easy for this group. We had overwhelming positive feedback about Julia from our team, our guests and our speakers and would highly recommend her to other organisations and event managers.
