New executive director.

• Position: Institute Notes - New Zealand Institute for International Affairs

Maty Nikkhou-O'Brien has been appointed executive director of the NZIIA, replacing Peter Kennedy who has concluded his contract. Maty holds an master of science degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and degrees in languages and political and socio-economic studies from the Sorbonne and in Iranian studies from the French Institute for Oriental Studies. She has been involved in international projects as a language engineer, EU programme manager, negotiator and diplomatic and trade facilitator. Maty has built an extensive business network that includes diplomats, senior company executives, political analysts and international civil servants. She co-founded and directed Diplosphere, a successful and innovative think tank on international affairs, that has held well attended panel discussions, some of which have been broadcast by national media. Diplosphere has tackled topics such as 'ISIL...