Hema has nearly 20 years of experience in government, primarily in the defence and national security sector. In her previous role as the Chief Advisor for Industry and Science at the Ministry of Defence, she worked together with industry, research and science entities, government agencies and international partners to provide strategic advice to inform policy formulation, governance and capability decisions.

In her former capacity as the Chief Science Advisor for Defence, she worked closely with the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor (PMCSA) and other Chief Science Advisors to contribute to government strategic thinking and decision making.

Hema has a strong background in emerging and disruptive technologies with a focus on risk, governance and impacts. Hema has joined Koi-Tu: The Centre for Informed Futures as a Strategic Advisor for Technological Futures.

Hema has a Master of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Technology in Opto-electronics from the University of Auckland.