Dr. Kate Riegle van West

Dr. Kate Riegle van West is the Founder and CEO of SpinPoi, the global leader in using poi as a therapeutic tool. She completed her PhD at the University of Auckland, where she conducted the first scientific study on the effects of poi on physical and cognitive function. Her groundbreaking work earned her the University of Auckland’s “Top 40 Under 40” honor, the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Future Leader Award, and the Best Doctoral Thesis Award. Kate’s work with SpinPoi has been featured by international media outlets including BBC World News, ABC News, TVNZ, Radio New Zealand, and Māori Television. She continues to work full-time in the poi and health field, supporting a global community of Certified SpinPoi Instructors across five continents, and helping people of all ages and abilities improve their wellbeing—one orbit at a time.