The organizers of Startup Queenstown Lakes Trust announce the appointment of a Board of Trustees to lead the startup
ecosystem and community. Joining the Board of Trustees are David Wallace of Wanaka, Luke Taylor of Queenstown, and Wayne Hudson of Wanaka. The organization separately appointed Madison Stumbles of Queenstown as a trustee apprentice.
“We have a strong economy for tourism and hospitality, but we must be taking steps now to diversify our income streams
and create high paying jobs for locals,” said Trent Yeo, a founder organizer of the trust and director of local tourism
operator ZipTrek Ecotourism. “David, Luke and Wayne have the skills, experience, and passion to give the initiatives of Startup Queenstown Lakes the leadership it needs to ensure we have a more sustainable community. I couldn’t be more excited to have them take
the reins.”
Yeo, along with A.J. Mason and Gemma Zust, formed the trust following work undertaken by a broader committee of
entrepreneurs and community stakeholders since 2017. That group sought to expand entrepreneur and investor activity
already happening in the district, particularly by the CUBE in Wanaka.
“We thank the community leaders in Wanaka who had the foresight to start the CUBE. They have given us the framework and
momentum we have today,” credited David Wallace, chairman of the trust. “We are excited to put this region on the map
for startups and leverage the intellectual talent that is here.”