Allister Benjamin

Alumni background

Allister has more than five years of experience working in cross-functional roles at startups and government agencies. As an Associate Product Manager at Kiwibank he leverages his skills at the intersection of customer needs, product development and operations. He primarily focuses on pricing strategies and product operations.

Previously, Allister served as the Customer and Operations Lead at Hive by FutureWork Studio in New Zealand. Driven by a passion for helping organizations prepare for the future of work, he collaborated closely with the CEO and engaged with stakeholders. He optimized strategies and oversaw products, processes and brands to deliver value to customers.

Prior to this, Allister served as a Business Analyst for Tourism New Zealand and as a Learning and Development Associate at GreyAtom in India.

Allister completed his Master of International Business at the University of Auckland through the Hinrich Global Trade Leader Scholarship Program. His outstanding academic performance earned him membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma Society, a recognition reserved for the top 20% (24 students) of the 120-student business master's program.

Personal statement

Being born and raised as an expatriate in Dubai, I decided to leave my comfort zone and pursue engineering in India. After completing my degree in Aerospace Engineering and internships with aerospace firms such as GreyAtom, I realized my work had something missing. I pivoted my career to pursue roles within business operations and went on to work with technology start-ups in the field of education, quickly recognizing where my strengths and passions lie.

My journey and experiences led me to understand the nature of work and challenges I look for – a combination of both technology and business where I can leverage my skills and bring about positive impact. Yet again, these pursuits brought me to a new country.

Coming from an engineering background, I decided to pursue my Master’s in International Business at University of Auckland to equip me with the business acumen necessary to move forward in my career and navigate the continuously changing workforce. Upon arriving on campus, I began volunteering for the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a multitude of other initiatives to make the most of my master’s experience.

During my master’s degree courses, I was humbled and honored to receive the Hinrich Foundation Global Trade Leader Scholarship. It gives me great pleasure to have been given this opportunity, and I look forward to joining the extensive network that the Hinrich Foundation is building and nurturing.

I sincerely believe in the Hinrich Foundation’s mission and vision for global sustainable trade. I aim to facilitate and contribute to its impact and growth with the same zeal and enthusiasm I bring into every endeavor I pursue, simultaneously equipping myself with the skills and experience of a truly global leader.

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