Name: Nicola Smith
Role: Director
Company: Essential Resources
My role on the PANZ council is: The International Education portfolio, supported by Peter Dowling. I hope to support and encourage government and industry collaboration and where possible securing funding and assistance for export opportunities aligning with PANZ’s international strategy.
My first job in publishing was: This is my first publishing job! I founded Essential Resources 20 years ago with my business partner Geraldine Sloane. As a ‘start-up’ I have both worked in just about every publishing position you can think of.
My favourite latest read: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. It is a compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime recollection of a man’s coming-of-age. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.
My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: The delight of being involved in the education industry, of working with some amazing educators to create content that inspires the next generation to become lifelong learners.
