You'll work with the people who own the business

Sussan Ockwell is the Founding Director of Optimism and a respected leader in New Zealand’s corporate learning and development (L&D) sector. Since establishing the company in 1992, she has been dedicated to transforming workforce capability through practical, engaging learning strategies and by leveraging digital technologies. Sussan partners closely with organisations to design tailored solutions that build genuine operational confidence and deliver measurable business results.

Her pioneering work has earned extensive acclaim, including multiple LearnX awards, requests to speak at conferences, recognition as the NZATD L&D Person of the Year, and being a long-standing judge for both NZATD and HRNZ learning awards.

Driven by this same passion for workforce capability, she also launched The Induction Company to digitise and deliver effective, engaging onboarding experiences globally, particularly for deskless workers.

Sussan is also active in the business community and has been repeatedly recognised for her contribution to the Board of Entrepreneurs Organisation NZ, and for leading Life Business Women.

Whether she’s helping leaders align capability strategies with business objectives, or sharing her experience with other business owners, Sussan is known for her ongoing energy and enthusiasm.

Nicola joined Optimism in 2013 as a Lead Learning Partner, became co-owner alongside Sussan in 2019, and has been General Manager of Operations since 2022. She heads up the L&D and design teams, working with organisations across Aotearoa to create learning experiences that actually stick. Her work spans instructional design, digital development, learning frameworks and the kind of strategic conversations that help clients figure out what they really need. She has led projects for clients in financial services, workplace safety, legal, aged care and health.

Before Optimism, Nicola spent 11 years working in London: coaching staff and leading a channel migration project to improve accessibility at the London Borough of Lambeth, then designing training, eLearning and implementing a new learning management system for vocational education provider City & Guilds.

Outside work, Nicola volunteers monthly in the cattery at the SPCA, helps out every year on packing day for the Christmas Box initiative, and volunteers at Bark in the Pool.