The Kennedy-Wunsch flagship lecture recognises the role that Miles Kennedy and Donald Sandys Wunsch have played in chemical engineering in New Zealand. The inaugural lecture was presented in September 2010, where Miles Kennedy summarised his and Wunsch’s contribution to the chemical and process industries in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Board invites a respected New Zealand chemical engineer to present the Kennedy-Wunsch lecture each year. The invitation is made in recognition of either a significant contribution to the development of chemical engineering, particularly in New Zealand, or of an engineer’s role in enhancing the standing of the profession. This year Jenny Culliford has been chosen to present the lecture in Wellington.

Jenny Culliford is a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Canterbury, Jenny has had a long career primarily as a consulting engineer. She has worked in New Zealand and internationally in a wide range of industries including geothermal energy, food, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas. Other areas of interest include quality, safety and risk management. Jenny is a Board member of IChemE in New Zealand. She was Chairperson of the Chartered Professional Engineers Council during its transition from the Engineers Registration Board which she chaired for over five years.