Hēmi joined Scion in February 2019 after 5 years at Callaghan Innovation where he commenced as the inaugural General Manager Māori Economy and lead significant change for the organisation’s engagement with the Māori economy, including a number of key initiatives such as the successful Maori Food Collective Nuku ki te Puku, Āmua Ao (Māori students to Stanford) and Matariki X. He was also the Interim Chief Executive for 9 months and led the organisation successfully through a key period of change. Prior to joining Scion, Hēmi was General Manager of Sectors leading a team of 50 to support New Zealand business on their innovation journey.

Before his time at Callaghan Innovation, Hēmi spent 7 years as the Inaugural Chief Executive of Te Awanui Huka Pak, a 100% Māori owned kiwifruit company in Mount Maunganui with investment across the entire kiwifruit value chain.

Hēmi is a former Director of the Rotorua Lakes Council entity Grow Rotorua and Priority One in Tauranga. He is currently a Director on Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust and Ngamanawa Inc who have significant investments in Forestry. Hēmi is born and bred in Rotorua and is Ngāti Whakaue through both his parents and also has Ngaiterangi and Ngati Ranginui Whakapapa. Hēmi holds a Business Management Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Māori through Waikato University and has undertaken the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme through Lincoln as well as completing three leadership programs through Stanford University.