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])
Carl is a psychologist who has specialised in leadership and management development since 2002, and has worked with Cerno since 2007. In addition to developing and implementing leadership assessment and development centres, he is experienced in training HR professionals in assessment and test interpretation, and in conducting statistical and psychometric research and development. He 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.
Carl holds a PhD in Psychology from Victoria University, where his topic was information processing in depression and anxiety. His PhD research was published in Clinical Psychology Review. He previously worked for Australian Psychologists Press (APP) and the Independent Testing Service of Australia (ITSA).
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.