Sussan Ockwell founded Optimism in 1992. Nicola Macdonald joined in 2013 and became co-owner in 2019. Today Sussan and Nicola lead a team of learning designers and digital developers across New Zealand, Canada and the UK.
Who you'll work with
Sussan (left) and Nicola (right) own and lead Optimism together. When you work with us, you work with them directly, backed by a team of learning designers and digital developers who care about getting it right.
Sussan Ockwell, Founding Director
“Everyone deserves to feel confident and competent at work.”
Sussan founded Optimism in 1992 and is a respected leader in New Zealand’s corporate L&D sector. She partners closely with organisations to design learning that builds real confidence and delivers measurable results.
She’s a long-standing judge for the NZATD and HRNZ learning awards, was named NZATD L&D Person of the Year, and launched The Induction Company to make onboarding more effective and engaging, particularly for deskless workers.
“Learning should change actual behaviour, not just tick a box.”
Nicola joined Optimism in 2013, became co-owner in 2019 and has been GM of Operations since 2022. She heads up the L&D and design teams, and has led projects across financial services, workplace safety, legal, aged care and health.
Before Optimism she spent 11 years in London, including at City & Guilds. Outside work, she volunteers in the SPCA cattery, on the Christmas Box packing day, and at Bark in the Pool.
