Ruth White
General Manager
Details +Ruth White
General Manager
With not-for-profit and commercial sector experience most recently within member organisations, Ruth is at her best when creating opportunities to build relationships and showcase successes.
Get to know Ruth:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. The ability to instantly transport yourself from one place to another, which conveniently removes the pain of having to sit in economy for 24 hours!!
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Fox. Apparently they embody cunning, adaptability and playfulness. Sounds like a good life to me.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My talent is playing the piano and my hobby is watching tennis, particularly Roger Federer (pre-retirement).
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Tough question! Possibly New York.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me!
Get to know Ruth:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. The ability to instantly transport yourself from one place to another, which conveniently removes the pain of having to sit in economy for 24 hours!!
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Fox. Apparently they embody cunning, adaptability and playfulness. Sounds like a good life to me.
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My talent is playing the piano and my hobby is watching tennis, particularly Roger Federer (pre-retirement).
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Tough question! Possibly New York.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
East Tamaki chose me!
Shanu Gounder
Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
Details +Shanu Gounder
Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
After spending 11 years living and working in the UK, Shanu returned to New Zealand and joined Business East Tāmaki in 2017.
With over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising across a range of industries, she manages Business East Tāmaki’s marketing, communications and events.
Get to know Shanu:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing powers! Would love to be able to heal my loved ones from all kinds of accidents and illnesses.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Dolphin! I’m all about positive energy, peace, harmony and freedom. Plus, dolphins are such fun!
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Photography, music, arts & crafts, and more recently, doing puzzles!
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Hhhmmm...just one is hard...loved our Mediterranean cruise, Egypt, and can't beat winding down to island time in Fiji!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family (including our lil doggo) & friends, shopping, watching movies, and just chilling at home on the not-so-busy days! We love going away on road trips and exploring more of Aotearoa.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
I grew up in South Auckland and have lived locally since returning from the UK. It was always about finding work close to home (never been one for long work commutes) so I got lucky with BusET, and it's a great place to work!
With over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising across a range of industries, she manages Business East Tāmaki’s marketing, communications and events.
Get to know Shanu:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Healing powers! Would love to be able to heal my loved ones from all kinds of accidents and illnesses.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
A Dolphin! I’m all about positive energy, peace, harmony and freedom. Plus, dolphins are such fun!
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Photography, music, arts & crafts, and more recently, doing puzzles!
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Hhhmmm...just one is hard...loved our Mediterranean cruise, Egypt, and can't beat winding down to island time in Fiji!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family (including our lil doggo) & friends, shopping, watching movies, and just chilling at home on the not-so-busy days! We love going away on road trips and exploring more of Aotearoa.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
I grew up in South Auckland and have lived locally since returning from the UK. It was always about finding work close to home (never been one for long work commutes) so I got lucky with BusET, and it's a great place to work!
Andrea Crawford
Membership Liaison
Details +Andrea Crawford
Membership Liaison
Andrea lives out on the Pohutukawa Coast with her husband and two children and enjoys boating, walks and spending time with family and friends.
Her professional background comprises of various management positions from National Driver Training Manager for Crown Equipment to recently Customer Services Manager for a manufacturing company based in Wiri. Prior to these, she worked for 10.5yrs in early childcare, undertaking the role as Centre Administration/Training.
Get to know Andrea:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Mind-reading & being invisible. Love knowing what people are thinking, what makes them tick, what matters to them. Being invisible - some days just to disappear and ponder life without people knowing what you are doing or to sit and watch the world go by without being noticed.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you? Bear - Protecting and loving my cubs or the people around me that mean the world to me and who I respect. Having strength and confidence when needed in the face of battle, not being scared and running away - stand tall and be as brave as I can be (lol well try to be).
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Interior design, love everything about it, reading about it in magazines, shopping up a storm for new things for my house or helping people choosing colours or furniture or decor for their homes. It brings excitement, warmth and enjoyable to me.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Sydney - Reconnecting with my family and sharing my heritage with my husband and children. Both my kids said it was the most amazing 10 days, they would swap all our tropical island holidays to go back again.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, memories are super important to me and try to enjoy life to the fullest. This could be on our boat or at the bach with family and friends, just hanging out - this is my happy place, I love the sound of laughing, happiest and being surrounded with love, it brings me so much joy and warmth.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Have worked for many years in ET, its close to home, know a lot of people in the area and its a good and safe place to work in.
Her professional background comprises of various management positions from National Driver Training Manager for Crown Equipment to recently Customer Services Manager for a manufacturing company based in Wiri. Prior to these, she worked for 10.5yrs in early childcare, undertaking the role as Centre Administration/Training.
Get to know Andrea:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Mind-reading & being invisible. Love knowing what people are thinking, what makes them tick, what matters to them. Being invisible - some days just to disappear and ponder life without people knowing what you are doing or to sit and watch the world go by without being noticed.
What’s your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you? Bear - Protecting and loving my cubs or the people around me that mean the world to me and who I respect. Having strength and confidence when needed in the face of battle, not being scared and running away - stand tall and be as brave as I can be (lol well try to be).
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
Interior design, love everything about it, reading about it in magazines, shopping up a storm for new things for my house or helping people choosing colours or furniture or decor for their homes. It brings excitement, warmth and enjoyable to me.
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Sydney - Reconnecting with my family and sharing my heritage with my husband and children. Both my kids said it was the most amazing 10 days, they would swap all our tropical island holidays to go back again.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family and friends, memories are super important to me and try to enjoy life to the fullest. This could be on our boat or at the bach with family and friends, just hanging out - this is my happy place, I love the sound of laughing, happiest and being surrounded with love, it brings me so much joy and warmth.
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Have worked for many years in ET, its close to home, know a lot of people in the area and its a good and safe place to work in.
Joey Chung
Membership and Admin Coordinator
Details +Joey Chung
Membership and Admin Coordinator
Joey joined Business East Tamaki in October 2026. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Joey moved to New Zealand in 2023 to start a new chapter. Since arriving, she has worked in council and the not-for-profit sector before joining Business East Tamaki. Speaking Cantonese, Mandarin and English, Joey enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and is excited to build relationships with local businesses.
Get to know Joey:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The Anywhere Door from the Japanese cartoon Doraemon! I'm so tired of those 12-hour flights between Auckland and Hong Kong. Imagine just opening a door and arriving instantly! 😂
What's your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
Bulbasaur, the Pokémon! People think we look alike — don't believe me? Have a look and decide for yourself! 😂
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My hidden talents are singing and dancing! 😊 I also enjoy playing League of Legends, but only ARAM mode. Just for fun, no stressful rankings! I prefer AP, support, and tank roles.
I'm a huge K-pop fan (Even learned Korean because of it, lol!), especially Mingyu from SEVENTEEN. He's currently serving in the military, so I'm waiting for his return! I also love watching dramas and anime. 😊
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere with sunshine, beautiful beaches and a chance to relax sounds perfect to me! ☀️😊
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Love at first sight with the lovely ladies at Business East Tamaki during my interview! I knew straight away this was a team I'd love to be part of. ❤️
Get to know Joey:
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
The Anywhere Door from the Japanese cartoon Doraemon! I'm so tired of those 12-hour flights between Auckland and Hong Kong. Imagine just opening a door and arriving instantly! 😂
What's your spirit animal, and why do you think it represents you?
Bulbasaur, the Pokémon! People think we look alike — don't believe me? Have a look and decide for yourself! 😂
Do you have a hidden talent or hobby?
My hidden talents are singing and dancing! 😊 I also enjoy playing League of Legends, but only ARAM mode. Just for fun, no stressful rankings! I prefer AP, support, and tank roles.
I'm a huge K-pop fan (Even learned Korean because of it, lol!), especially Mingyu from SEVENTEEN. He's currently serving in the military, so I'm waiting for his return! I also love watching dramas and anime. 😊
What has been your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere with sunshine, beautiful beaches and a chance to relax sounds perfect to me! ☀️😊
Why have you chosen to work in East Tamaki?
Love at first sight with the lovely ladies at Business East Tamaki during my interview! I knew straight away this was a team I'd love to be part of. ❤️