Meet the team

Dr. Kate Mirfin

Director (Registered Psychologist, PhD, BSc[Hons])

Kate is a director of Cerno. Kate is a registered psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in a wide range of areas (including selection and development-focused assessment centres, research, workshop facilitation, capability identification, 360° coaching sessions, performance management, and strategy and policy development and implementation). Kate has worked with managers and leaders at a wide range of levels; from team leaders and front-line managers to candidates for chief executive roles. Kate has worked as a Cerno consultant since 2004. Previously Kate was the Manager of the Army Psychology Service, where she was responsible for the conduct of psychology and psychology-related services and research. While serving with the New Zealand Army Kate developed a range of services to assist service people and their families cope with the stresses caused by peacekeeping deployments, worked within Massey University’s Psychology Department, and represented New Zealand at a range of international fora.

Kate completed her PhD at Massey University, where she researched the psychological effects of peacekeeping service in Bosnia. Kate’s work has been published in Stress Medicine and Military Medicine.

Dr. Tania Graham

Director (Registered Psychologist, PhD, PGDip, MA[Hons])

Tania is a director of Cerno. Tania has over 15 years of extensive experience generating and implementing assessment tools for a wide range of capability frameworks, conducting senior manager and Chief Executive assessments for public and private sector organisations, undertaking 360° coaching sessions, and workshop facilitation. Tania has led the development and implementation of numerous leadership development programmes for clients across the public sector and has worked with managers and leaders at a wide range of levels; from team leaders and front-line managers to candidates for chief executive roles.

Tania completed her PhD at Massey University, where she worked with the New Zealand Police to explore the job expectations of new recruits. She is a registered psychologist who is qualified to administer a range of psychometric tools for the assessment of personality, working styles, team preferences and cognitive ability.

Dr. Carl Beuke

Principal Psychologist (Registered Psychologist, PhD, BSc[Hons], Member New Zealand Psychological Society)

Carl is a registered psychologist who has worked in leadership development since 2002. He has coached and assessed over a thousand leaders from across the Public Service and the private sector. He is skilled and experienced in designing assessment and development centres, developing competency frameworks, running workshops and training, and leading research and development projects (e.g. designing 360° surveys and similar tools). Additionally, he leads the delivery of ConsiderThis, Cerno's online change consultation tool. He enjoys working with a wide range of clients, from individual contributors to Chief Executives and other senior leaders.

Carl has worked at Cerno since 2007. He previously worked for Australian Psychologists Press (APP) and the Independent Testing Service of Australia (ITSA).

Carl earned his Ph.D. in psychology from Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied how anxiety and depression shape our perceptions and memories. His research was published in Clinical Psychology Review, and has been widely cited by other researchers. His popular writing for Psychology Today has been referenced by Forbes magazine and numerous other authors.

Daniel Joyce

IT Development Lead & Business Analyst (BCom)

Daniel is Cerno's IT Development Lead & Business Analyst, who ensures all online and office services remain available for both client and consultant use.

Daniel graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Electronic Commerce and Information Systems.

Matthew Hitchings

Office Administrator (BSc)

Matthew is Cerno's Office Administrator. He coordinates and supports clients with assessment and development centres, coaching sessions, and Cerno 360° projects.

Matthew graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.