Our events

Jackie joined the KILA board taking on the VP role in late 2020 & is our own personal geek squad, building apps, the website & anything else we find ourselves needing. She is also across social media, so if you have interacted with our IG then you have already chatted with her.

" I'm from Wellington & have been on my big OE for as long as I can remember, moving between Sydney & London with yearly stints of re-grounding in NZ, I've been based in LA since I won the GreenCard Lottery & picked the town hailed for great weather. A jack of all trades I primarily work in filmmaking  & have various passion projects in the metaphysical, songwriting & performance arenas. "

Personal Plug

Roger found KILA around 2010. 

" I have been in LA since 1990 & started my accounting career with the Deloittes affiliate in Wellington in the 1970s. 

Other than looking after about a dozen tax clients, I mostly spends my days playing tennis or golf, & also keeping track of my six kids spread all across the globe. 

Being from a small country, I think we need to encourage one another that we really can succeed in whatever we set out to do. "

"I born in New Zealand's South Island & grew up mostly in Lower Hutt & Sydney. 

I'm a former journalist & lived for 10 years in Latin America covering news & features around the region for Time, Business Week, Financial Times, New York Times, Sunday Times of London, Miami Herald & Houston Chronicle among media outlets. 

Now residing in Santa Monica, I'm a freelance writer & editor, and I also write mystery/thriller novels."

"Ko Toroti te māunga. 

Ko Taumarere te awa

Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te waka 

Ko Pōmare Nui tōku tīpuna 

Ko Ngāpuhi tōku iwi

Ko Ngāti Manu tōku hapū

Ko Kāretu tōku marae

Brought up in Mount Maunganui, in the BOP and then Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf before heading off to the UK and beyond.  Lived and worked around the world for many years before arriving in Los Angeles 12yrs ago.

I worked within the events industry for a number of years with various brands creating events and activations before transitioning into the Art Department within the film industry.  In the last few years I have been working for a design studio as the project coordinator for high end landscape projects throughout Los Angeles CA and Austin TX. 

For over the last 20 yrs my folks have resided in Matakohe on the Kaipara Harbour, which has meant whenever I’m back home in Aotearoa I’m Northland based and get to enjoy the stunning Kaipara views and expansive star filled night skies."

Personal Plug

Keith has been involved with Kiwis in LA since around 2007 and loves the way Kiwis in LA gives New Zealanders from all walks of life a way to get together. 

“It’s a real buzz when Kiwis who have just arrived in California, or who have been here for decades discover Kiwis in LA and start coming to events and participating in the Kiwi community.”

Following a career in ad agencies, Keith is now retired and enjoying supporting others through volunteer organizations like Kiwis in LA. His partner Steve has also been very involved with Kiwis in LA over many years.

Keith and Steve and their rat terrier, Tahi, split their time between California and Aotearoa New Zealand in search of perpetual spring and summer.

Born in the US and spending time in Australia and the UK when she was young, Laura grew up primarily on Auckland’s North Shore. 

After finishing her studies at the University of Auckland, Laura spent seven years living and working in London, before heading home for a short stint to gain her Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies, during the COVID 19 pandemic. Los Angeles had always held a special place in her heart,  so she moved out at the end of 2021 and is happy to call Redondo Beach home. 

“I love LA! Not only does it have a beautiful coast and a fascinating city life, there’s also a vibrant sense of community here. I found Kiwis in LA soon after I arrived, and it has provided a great support system and many of the people I now consider my closest friends. We run lots of fun events and it’s a great way to stay connected to your kiwi roots.”

Mark is a technology and operations executive who brings over two decades of global business experience to the KILA board. Through Wolfe Yates & Co., he provides fractional C-suite leadership  & strategic consulting to growth-stage companies, with deep expertise in AI transformation, operations, & finance. Having built and scaled ventures across NZ, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Poland, & the US, Mark understands the unique journey of Kiwi professionals navigating international markets. His experience spans startups to Fortune 500 companies, with previous board service including Board Secretary roles for private companies.

Mark is passionate about strengthening the Kiwi community in LA & helping fellow New Zealanders succeed in their American ventures. He brings valuable governance experience, strategic thinking, & a commitment to supporting the next generation of Kiwi entrepreneurs & professionals in LA.

From Alaska. Owned a production company in New Zealand. Live in Los Angeles and I'm a commercial real estate broker working throughout LA. Equestrian and cyclist.

Born in New Zealand and spending many years in Australia and traveling, Kyla Robinson is a Producer, Writer, and Filmmaker now based in Los Angeles.

Kyla’s experience spans over the past sixteen years working across various departments having written, directed and produced multiple short films, and working as key support crew on various film and television projects for Universal Pictures, Blumhouse, Walt Disney, Warner Bros, See-Saw Productions, and Independent productions, along with extensive corporate experience.

As founder of Bellbird Productions, Kyla’s drive is to tell stories through film with a primary focus on true stories, and stories based on truth.