ManaGlobal
Team

The people behind ManaGlobal.

A leadership team that pairs deep tech expertise with lived community experience and a commitment to tikanga Māori.

Leadership

Five leaders. One kaupapa.

Dereck PaoraBEd

Tumuaki
Chief Executive Officer

Provides strategic direction, builds iwi and community partnerships, and ensures the kaupapa stays front-and-centre as the business scales.

John SupsupinSenior Software Developer

Kaiārahi Hangarau
Chief Technology Officer

Leads technical development across Unreal Engine, AWS, and microservices. Architects the systems that bridge gaming and real-world social outcomes.

Mikayla Paora-SharlandBCom

Kaiārahi Hokohoko · Kaitiaki Pūtea
Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Financial Officer

Drives brand, growth, and financial planning. Builds the awareness engine around the kaupapa while keeping the books pointing toward sustainable growth.

Dr OmerPhD Psychology

Kaiārahi Hua
Director of Product

Defines the product vision. Ensures the platform educates as effectively as it entertains — and that gameplay drives the real-world outcomes we promise.

Vernon RuwhiuLLB

Kaiārahi Whakahaere
Director of Operations

Oversees day-to-day operations and legal compliance, embedding Māori business practices into how the company runs at every level.

Org structure

A flat hierarchy rooted in kotahitanga.

Departments use the kupu Māori that name their role in the wider whare — not because it sounds good, but because it shapes how the work is done.

Rangatira
Executive management

Strategy, vision, leadership — balancing commercial success with social impact.

Kaiwhakawhanake
Product development

Game design, software engineering, quality assurance.

Kaiwhakatairanga
Marketing & sales

Branding, user acquisition, partnerships.

Kaiwhakahaere
Operations & finance

Day-to-day operations, financial planning, legal compliance.

Kaiāwhina
Customer support

Culturally fluent assistance, with te reo Māori support available.