Alexandra Smart

Chief Technology Officer

Southern Cross Health Society

Alex Smart joined Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) in 2022.

With more than 20 years’ experience working in senior technology roles, Alex has a diverse range of skills including technology strategy and leadership, architecture, design, digital and software development. Since her time at Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Alex has led the full transformation of the policy admin and claims systems, the move to cloud native, the launch of new digital experiences for their customers, and many other initiatives which have required bringing CX into the heart of technology strategy.

Alex is part of the New Zealand Tech Women and is passionate about the shape of New Zealand’s future technology workforce. Under her leadership the Southern Cross Travel Insurance Digital Team won the 2023 NZ CIO Award for Best Team Culture and Inclusion, and most recently in 2025 Alex won the 2025 NZ CIO of the Year.