Celebrating Vicky Teinaki

Thank you Vicky for the brilliant, funny, open person you were. I’ll forever be inspired by your passion to make things better, and for a life of learning and making so much time for culture, travel, and friendship. When I first joined GDS back in 2017 I remember asking Tim Paul for a list of great interactions designers in government to get to know and I was excited to see your name, a name that broke the pattern of all the others. And so I started to follow and revere you and your work. I was lucky to spend time with you this October in Helsinki for a conference I helped organised. You had arrived early to sightsee and shared all the interesting facts you had learned about the city over drinks. Within days after the conference you had written a comprehensive write up, which I was so excited to see. You supported my work and I was so happy to find ways to work with you like your great piece on service archaeology for the recent Service Gazette. When I ran a 24 hour conference in 2023 I’m pretty sure you were the first person to watch all 24 hours of talks! The public sector design community will miss you so much! You’ll live on through our memories and learning and work. Thank you and rest in peace. ----- Mere, Takaiara, Catherine, Clare, Louise and Mhairi – today's service was such a beautiful tribute and send off. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Keeping all of Vicky's family and friends in my thoughts. My deepest condolences to you all.