Shae Parsons
Associate AI & Data Strategy Consultant, Qrious, Spark NZ
Master of Computer and Information Sciences with Honours (First Class)
Bachelor of Business in International Business and Strategy & Bachelor of Communication Studies in Public Relations
A passionate advocate for AI and the positive impact it can have, Shae Parsons loves being at the intersection of people and technology.
“My work focuses on helping organisations figure out where they are on their data and AI journey, and how they can actually embed these tools in a way that drives value. My favourite part is demystifying AI and data so businesses can use them in a practical way. It’s exciting to see people go from feeling unsure about AI to realising how it can free them up to focus on the things that matter.
“I also enjoy that it’s an area that’s constantly evolving. I’ve always been interested in how technology shapes people’s lives, and with this field there’s always something new to learn, and that aligns with my own aspirations of being a lifelong learner and using that knowledge to help others.”
From comms to tech
Shae began her career in communications, including roles at Baldwin Boyle Shand in Singapore and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, before moving into tech at Tradify, a New Zealand-founded global SaaS company helping tradies balance work and life.
“Moving into tech felt like the best way to combine my curiosity for innovation with my desire to create impact. AUT was pivotal in that journey. I returned to AUT to study a Master of Computer and Information Sciences, and through my supervisor, Associate Professor Mahsa Mohaghegh (McCauley), who also founded She Sharp, I was exposed to networks that really helped me find my place in the industry. Programmes like Summer of Tech and my time at Callaghan Innovation gave me the hands-on experience and confidence to see tech not just as a career, but as a platform for change. And now, having come back to speak at AUT and sit on panels both there and in the wider business and tech community, it feels like things have come full circle.”
She is proud of what she has already achieved in her tech career so far.
“I’m proud of completing my master’s degree with first class honours, with my research focused on how AI models could support Māori entrepreneurial outcomes. Outside of that, I’ve matched Māori businesses with mentors through the Hāpaia programme, worked with She Sharp to advocate for women in STEM and been part of the Kāhui Māori advisory panel for the AI Forum. I was also nominated in the inaugural AI Awards in Aotearoa and spoke at the 2024 AI Summit. More recently, being crowned Miss Earth New Zealand 2025 has opened some really unexpected doors – it even led to me appearing on 7 Days! For me, pageantry has been a platform to challenge stereotypes and to show that you can combine tech, advocacy and creativity in ways people might not expect.
“Looking ahead, my aspiration is to continue bridging worlds – whether that’s between Māori knowledge and digital innovation, or between tech and creative industries like pageantry. I want to build a career that helps businesses and communities embrace AI and data in sustainable, inclusive ways, while also breaking down barriers about who belongs in this space. AUT gave me the foundation and networks, and now it continues to open doors for me as I return to share my journey and contribute to shaping the next wave of talent.”
Advice for other students
There are too many graduates pushing an image to employers that’s generic and inauthentic, Shae says.
“My biggest piece of advice would be: figure out your strengths and weaknesses. This takes some serious reflection, which isn’t always fun. Build a personal brand on what you can offer. Employers and potential business partners don’t want a bland, run-of-the-mill graduate with all the right grades and no distinctive traits or features. They want someone that will fill the void they’re looking for. This means making yourself indispensable to people you work with, so go the extra mile and don’t be afraid to do what others aren’t doing.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to other students.
“AUT is somewhat of a family choice, and I was the fourth AUT communication studies graduate out of my siblings. AUT was a sure-fire choice for me – I needed a university that would enable me to flourish in an innovative and creative manner, and AUT gives you the opportunity to do what no other person your age is doing; to really navigate that uncharted territory. I was raised to always think outside the box, or even better, to think of a new box altogether. AUT embodies this, not only by teaching applicable subjects and courses but by taking bold moves and forging a new path that older universities end up following.”
