Introducing the PRINZ Waikato Committee
We are so grateful for the time and dedication of our regional sub-committees as they contribute to enhancing the local offering to our members and support the growth of PRINZ. This week we are delighted to introduce the mighty Waikato team and thank them for their mahi.
Ben Woodgates (Chair)
Ben has been a member of the Waikato PRINZ Committee since June 2023 and became Chair in 2026. He was born in England, grew up in Whangārei, and now lives and works in Kirikiriroa Hamilton as a Corporate Communications Coordinator at Gallagher. Ben is also the founder of Hello Hamilton, a local media brand launched in 2025 that keeps more than 30,000 Hamiltonians in the know. He recently completed a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) at the University of Waikato, where he also worked as a tutor in PR, communications, and marketing, served as Vice-President of the Management Communications Students’ Association (MCSA), and was a Director of the Waikato Students’ Union.
Lauradanna Radesic (Co-Deputy Chair)
Lauradanna is a former broadcast journalist who moved into communication and stakeholder engagement while working in the UK nearly two decades ago. Her career spans major infrastructure programmes and public sector work on both sides of the world. Now working in local government, Lauradanna specialises in strategic communication and engagement, with experience across a range of complex community issues and large‑scale change projects. She completed her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2025 and led her team to a Gold PRINZ Award in the Community Relations & Engagement category the same year.
Regan Powell (co-deputy chair)
Regan is a former journalist turned communications specialist with nearly a decade under her belt in the industry. With a background in local government, Regan specialises in strategic communications and has spearheaded a number of award-winning campaigns ranging from spatial plans and long-term plans to town concept plans to major infrastructure projects. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, stepsons and a determined two-year-old daughter who rules the roost.
Sarah-lee Crellin
Sarah-Lee Crellin has spent a good part of 15 years working somewhere within the communications and engagement industry. Starting her career in Wellington she worked in Parliament, was a media manager for multiple royal visits and worked alongside the Helen Clark for Secretary General UN campaign. Lately, she has spent her time growing a national team based in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region of excellent communications and engagement professionals for Beca – tackling some of the toughest issues communities are facing right now, from roading infrastructure through to climate change. She is mumma bear to two beautiful small humans, a little Luna tabby cat and a giant dog named Waffle.
Olivia Pitiroi-Gowling
Olivia is a young professional who recently graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Public Relations and Māori and Indigenous Studies. A descendant of Ngaati Tuuwharetoa, Olivia grew up in Taupoo before moving to Waikato, where she now works at Hamilton City Council as a Communications and Engagement Coordinator. As a recipient of the PRINZ Waikato Matariki Scholarship, Olivia is new to the committee and is excited by the opportunity to further develop her skills in public relations while creating space for Maaori voice within the industry.
Vicki Jones
Vicki is a freelance communications advisor who has been part of the Hamilton PR and marketing scene for over 25 years, working alongside many of the region’s highest profile organisations, particularly in agriculture, local government and education. Originally from the UK, she joined the former Verdict Communications team in 2000 and formed her consultancy Dugmore Jones in 2017, building on her passion for communications and stakeholder engagement, and good simple storytelling.
Angela March
Angela March is the founder and director of award-winning PR agency Brainchild, helping brands across New Zealand be visible and trusted by both people and AI systems. She specialises in strategic PR and communications that support real business outcomes, from AI visibility (AEO/GEO) and media relations to creator partnerships, campaigns and activations. Known for blending creativity with strategy, Angela brings a clear, commercial lens to integrated communications.
Ann Graham
Ann Graham is a strategic communications and marketing expert at Brainchild, an award-winning PR agency in Hamilton, Kirikiriroa. With more than two decades of experience crafting content and strategy on both sides of the globe, Ann works with CEOs, not-for-profits, organisations, and brands, to shape clear, authentic, communication and marketing strategies for stakeholders, clients, customers, and teams. With a background spanning content creation, marketing, and communications, Ann specialises in leadership communication, stakeholder engagement, and content strategy. Building rapport with businesses, Ann helps organisations to strengthen client relationships, align internal and external messaging, enhance organisational leadership, and build credibility through consistent, purposeful communication.
