Our Team

Mark Dye

Co-founder & CEO

Now a veteran of New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry, Mark’s background is media—radio, television and print. Until the end of 2017, he co-hosted the afternoon show on Newstalk ZB, New Zealand’s Number 1 radio station. He is also a television presenter for New Zealand’s largest TV network – TVNZ, and often writes for some of New Zealand’s largest publications. Mark also has vast experience in business, having run a successful import and distribution company in New Zealand since 2011, among others

Rob Turnbull

Chief Financial Officer

Rob is an experienced senior finance executive with over 30 years managing finance, legal, IT, HR and operations. His career started at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Auckland, also working with them in Toronto and London, before joining NZ based emerging biotech and medical device companies as CFO, Company Secretary and General Manager. Here Rob was involved in securing commercial contracts with global pharmaceutical companies, M&A transactions, and capital raising activities, including IPOs and listings on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). In his roles as Company Secretary Rob has also worked closely with Boards of Directors managing governance, risk management and corporate processes.

Nick Kennedy

Head of Distribution & Processing

Nick is a highly skilled Chemical Engineer with over three years of hands on experience in the New Zealand medicinal cannabis industry. His exceptional aptitude for process development has been instrumental in driving success at NUBU where he consistently delivers significant value to the team. Nick’s passion for the development of medicinal cannabis emerged in his formative years when he recognised its transformative potential in improving the lives of individuals in his community. When he is not making leaps and bound within the NUBU team Nick enjoys writing, performing and recording music with his friends. He also enjoys keeping fit, playing a variety of team and solo sports

Kady Chemal

Medical Advisor

Kady has 10 years’ experience in Medical Affairs and has worked for top 10 pharmaceutical companies like Merck Sharpe&Dohme and Seqirus. Her background includes pre and post-launch medical activities, Compliance, Quality Assurance, Medical Information, Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs. Her journey in the medicinal cannabis industry started in 2019 with Canopy Growth, leading her to train in Canada and work in international markets. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (Hons) from Auckland University and she is also a published author.

Claudia Billinge

Head of International

With over four years of extensive experience in the global cannabis industry, Claudia has established herself as a seasoned professional at Aurora Cannabis, a prominent Canadian producer. Throughout her tenure, she played an active role in sales, operations and inventory management, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to successfully navigate the intricate dynamics of the supply chain. Claudia possesses a profound understanding of both recreational and medical cannabis markets, equipping her with the expertise needed to provide valuable insights to NUBU. Before venturing into the cannabis sector, Claudia honed her skills in warehousing and distribution by working with renowned New Zealand clothing companies like Augustine and Kate Sylvester.

Aya Shaker

Medical Science Liaison

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Aya is a registered pharmacist who completed her Bachelors degree at the University of Auckland (with honours). She has been working in the pharmaceutical industry since 2017 but more specifically, has been in the medicinal cannabis industry since 2019 where she was working at Tilray before joining us at NUBU Pharmaceuticals in 2023 as a Medical Science Liaison. For the past 5 years Aya has travelled across NZ educating health care practitioners on medicinal cannabis and is committed to providing up to date clinical information on its use.

Claris Jones-White

Medical Science Liaison

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Claris Jones-White is a dynamic Medical Science Liaison at NUBU Pharmaceuticals, dedicated to bridging the gap between education and healthcare for Medicinal Cannabis. With previous roles as Head of Operations for a renowned coffee capsule company overseas; Claris possesses a strong foundation in operational excellence and global business strategies. Recognising the potential of cannabis in healthcare, she helped found the first cannabis clinic in NZ, which quickly gained nationwide prominence. Leveraging her expertise in both coffee and cannabis biology, Claris has emerged as a leading medicinal cannabis expert in NZ. Her invaluable experience has now led her to NUBU Pharmaceuticals, where she aims to expand the company’s network to provide access to plant-based medicines for all New Zealanders.

Max Sedarat

Cannabis Director

Max Sedarat is a seasoned professional in the medical cannabis industry with over 9 years of experience, now stepping into the role of Cannabis Director at NUBU. He began his career at Trulieve in Florida, where he built a strong foundation in cannabis operations and patient care. Four years ago, Max moved to New Zealand to contribute to the development of the country’s cannabis industry, focusing on cannabis manufacturing and product development. Max is dedicated to advancing the medical cannabis field, his commitment to quality, innovation, and patient care makes him a key asset as NUBU continues to shape the future of the cannabis industry. Max supports NUBU in being well-equipped to lead the development and delivery of premium cannabis products that offer significant benefits to both individuals and communities.

Anjannette Carnie

Distribution Manager

Anjannette’s early career encompassed roles in insurance, telecommunications and computing. After her first child, her love of dance took over and she began teaching at her childhood dance school, eventually leading her to forming her own dance school which she grew successfully for 17 years. Despite her passion for dance, a desire for a new career path led to her selling her school. Fortuitously, Anjannette crossed paths with Mark from NUBU, who recognized her business management expertise and passion for the development of the medicinal cannabis industry. Her experience managing her own business seamlessly translated to her role at NUBU, where she now oversees various aspects of the company. As a mother of 3 teen/adult children, maintaining a lifestyle property, regular exercise and having a full and active social life keep Anjannette busy when she’s not pursuing her dynamic career at NUBU.

George Davenport

Operations and Sales Support

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George joined the NUBU Pharmaceuticals team in 2022. He is immensely driven and passionate about growing the medicinal cannabis industry in NZ. George provides key operational support to the distribution team in Auckland as well as working closely with NUBU’s MSL team to upskill New Zealand’s medical professionals in the field of medicinal cannabis, with a particular focus on the medicinal cannabis vaporisers. In his spare time George enjoys playing and watching basketball and perusing musical hobbies

Seth Nicholson

Distribution & Operations Coordinator

Seth Nicholson is a dynamic professional and chemistry graduate who found his niche in the burgeoning cannabis industry. Seth joined NUBU Pharmaceuticals in 2023 With a keen eye for detail and passion for efficient systems. Seth’s organisational skills and strategic mindset have elevated NUBU’s supply chain, ensuring the timely delivery of quality cannabis products to diverse markets. His dedication to innovation and adherence to compliance make him an integral asset, driving NUBU’s mission to reshape the cannabis distribution landscape. Outside of work Seth loves attending live music events and watching/playing a variety of sports.

Linda Anderson

Community Outreach

Linda Anderson is a seasoned professional renowned for her expertise in Corporate Purchasing, Acquisitions, and Debt Recovery. With a proven track record, Linda has successfully managed group acquisitions and contracts in various domains, encompassing machinery, branding, telecommunications, international travel, and product exports. As a former Team Leader in Credit Control at Dun and Bradstreet Ltd., she excelled in handling major government and finance-based accounts. Presently, Linda serves as the Community Outreach specialist at NUBU, leveraging her extensive experience to cultivate meaningful connections and foster community engagement. Her diverse skill set and dedication make her an invaluable asset to the team.

Lyna Pich

Logistics and Innovation Executive

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Lyna earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Product Design, specialising in Chemical Formulation Design. Her academic background sparked a deep interest in research and development within the pharmaceutical, personal care, and medicinal industries. Lyna’s previous experience in the nutraceutical, food, and personal care sectors has seamlessly translated into her current role as a Logistics and Innovation Executive at NUBU Pharmaceuticals. Lyna oversees our inventory management and ensures distribution processes are optimised. She has also demonstrated considerable value to the team through her expertise in new product development, formulation science, market research, and digital design, contributing to NUBU’s development strategy.

Russell Gonzalez

Production Coordinator

Russell is a recent graduate in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Auckland, with hands-on experience in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) environment. He joined NUBU Pharmaceuticals in 2024 and has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the medical cannabis industry in New Zealand. Russell’s prior experience in GMP environments has significantly contributed to NUBU’s progression. Additionally, he has played a key role in developing processes at NUBU, establishing himself as an integral member of the team. Outside of work, Russell enjoys staying active and socializing with friends.