Board of Directors

Greg Cross | Chairman

Greg Cross has 20 years experience in the software industry working in North America, Europe and Asia. As CEO of Esphion, Greg is championing the expansion of their AI based network disaster protection solutions internationally using VC funds raised in 2004. Greg’s previous roles and achievements include VP of Sales and Marketing for Fact International - one of the first NZ software companies to venture offshore: GM Sales and Marketing at BellSouth responsible for the launch of NZ’s 2nd cellular network: Managing Director of Microsoft NZ where he oversaw the launch of Windows 95: CEO of Advantage Group raising capital from George Sorros to fund expansion from $20m to $65m in revenues and Entrepreneur in Residence for Indocean an Indian based VC firm.

Dr Shaun Ryan | Chief Executive Officer

Shaun combines commercial experience and academic expertise to lead SLI Systems. His commercial background includes positions with NBCi and consulting to organizations such as international health technology company Invacare. With a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Canterbury, Shaun was one of the developers of SLI Systems' unique learning search technology. 

Steven E. Marder

With almost 20 years of executive, advisory and investment experience in the Media industry, Steven Marder currently serves as an Industry Advisor for private equity firm Avista Capital Partners where he is focused on sourcing, developing and managing buyouts and significant investments in Digital Media and Internet companies. Marder also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Avista portfolio companies WideOpenWest (WOW!) and InvestorPlace Media in addition to serving as Chairman/ Co-Founder (formerly CEO) of Internet social search technology company, Eurekster, Inc. and as a Director/ Co-Founder for Internet search and marketing services company, SLI Systems, Inc.

Prior, Marder served in corporate development and business development executive roles at major media companies EMI Music and Tribune Company (Compton’s NewMedia). He also co-founded and served as Managing Director, North America for multi-national merchant bank, Gramercy Venture Advisors and co-founded and served as Chairman/CEO of development stage public company eMemberDirect, Inc. (formerly PetPlanet.com).

A graduate of St. John’s School of Law, Columbia College/ Columbia University and Horace Mann School, Marder is also an attorney and member of the State Bar of New York and California. An often quoted expert on digital and social media, Mr. Marder is a frequent speaker and panelist at media and technology industry conferences.

Dr Grant Ryan

Grant co-founded GlobalBrain.net in 1998 which is now S.L.I. Systems. He led GlobalBrain until April 2000 when it was purchased by NBCi (the 7th most visited web site in the US at the time). Currently Grant is on the board of the New Zealand Government's $100 million Venture Investment Fund (VIF) and $430 million Foundation for Research Science and Technology along with being co-founder and chief scientist at Eurekster. Grant has a degree in Mechanical engineering and a PhD in Ecological Economics from the University of Canterbury. 

Matthew Houtman

Matthew is the Board representative of Pioneer Capital Partners, which made an investment into SLI Systems in November 2007. Pioneer Capital Partners provides expansion capital and relevant strategic expertise to companies with strong growth prospects. For more information visit www.pioneercapital.co.nz.