Get to Know Team Alii - Justin

Name: Justin Patterson

Role: Head of Growth

About Justin

With over 20 years of leadership experience in Sales, Marketing, and Operations, including the last six in EdTech, I’m passionate about growing leaders and teams across Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success at Alii. I’ve seen firsthand how schools struggle with visibility and control over their budgets, with purchases too often made without certainty that the funds are there. At Alii, I help schools take control of their finances by streamlining processes, reducing fraud risks, and cutting down on time-wasting manual tasks. My goal? To empower schools with the tools and insights they need to make smarter financial decisions while building strong, capable teams that drive real impact.

A self-proclaimed coffee snob, I start my day with an Almond Flat White (or several) before diving into work. Outside of Alii, I’m all about sports, mountain biking, golf, running, or hitting the gym. I’m also a dedicated fan of cricket, rugby (and biltong!). I’ve spent time coaching junior rugby and little athletics, and when I’m not watching or playing sports, you might find me knee-deep in a DIY project, sometimes wondering why I started it in the first place!

How long have you been in the industry?

6 years in Edtech, with over 20 years of leadership experience within Sales, Marketing & Operational roles.

If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do at Alii, what would it be?

Head of “Let’s Try This”

‍What’s one financial challenge you see schools struggle with the most?

Visibility and control over budgets, a lot of the time, requests are being made, or items are being ordered without complete certainty that it is in the budget or that there is budget available.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a school considering AP automation?

Be honest and almost brutal about the potential risks you’re exposed to, are you really covered against fraud, what will actually happen if that key person leaves, how much time are you really spending on manual tasks?

What’s your favourite way to start the workday?

Coffee, lots of it!!

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

Almond Flat White… yes, I’m a coffee snob…

What are your hobbies?

Too many, mountain & gravel bike riding, golf, running & gym. I love sport and am generally keen on watching anything and everything when time allows, especially cricket and rugby.

What volunteering or passion projects do you do outside of work?

Over the years I have coached or assisted with Junior Rugby & Little Athletics, I’m also not one to shy away from the odd DIY project, although sometimes I wish I did!