2021 SPEAKERS INCLUDE
Suzi Finkelstein
Director Advocacy and Leadership, Women & Leadership New Zealand
With over twenty years of leadership development experience, Suzi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as WLNZ’s Program Director. Over an exceptional career, Suzi has built a reputation for designing and delivering quality professional development with a particular focus on transforming the performance of women leaders and their teams. As a development consultant, Suzi has worked across all levels of leadership and management in partnership with many of Australia's leading organisations.
Focusing on the challenges and opportunities for women leaders in the contemporary workforce, the New Zealand Women’s Leadership Symposium is an unparalleled gathering of New Zealand’s best and brightest female talent. During the event, women leaders from every sector and industry come together to hear from an exceptional line up of inspirational guest speakers and explore topics including gender equality, leadership, career advancement and life fulfilment.
The Symposium
About
Showcasing celebrated and respected women from every field of endeavour, the Symposium is synonymous with excellence and achievement across all facets of business and community leadership.
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS THROUGH SHARING SUCCESS
Attended by a veritable who’s who of New Zealand organisations, the Symposium represents an accessible platform for businesses to remain connected to the gender equality debate and compare the latest thinking and strategy.
AN OPPORTUNITY
TO STEP BACK, REFLECT AND FOCUS
LEARN
Addressing a wide range of topics including gender equality, leadership, career advancement and life fulfillment, the Symposium offers an important opportunity to stay abreast of current local and international trends. Designed to encourage interaction and collaboration, the event creates a setting for women at all levels to reflect on their experiences, envisage a future to which they are entitled and draw inspiration for the journey ahead.
SHARE
Drawing participants from every corner of the nation, the Symposium offers an unrivalled opportunity to extend your networks and develop lasting friendships and alliances. Through the sharing of personal experiences, participants unlock a spirit of camaraderie which typically extends far beyond the event itself. Each year, women from highly diverse backgrounds are drawn together through the Symposium leading to powerful opportunities for collaboration on important national issues.
... AND BE INSPIRED!
Showcasing the country’s most respected and celebrated female talent, the Symposium attracts inspirational speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. Richly diverse in their achievements and fields of endeavour, Symposium speakers are universally recognised for their vision, resilience and capacity to influence change. By sharing their unique experience and knowledge, Symposium speakers encourage participants to unlock their innate strengths and talents and pursue their own vision of success.
SAMANTHA TOMKINSON
Senior Facilitator and Executive Coach
Samantha Tomkinson began her career as a psychologist in the UK in 2002, and in 2013 she moved to New Zealand and has been supporting the growth of New Zealand leaders with a focus on developing their emotional intelligence. Samantha has worked extensively with senior leaders and organisations across the public and private sectors in both NZ and the UK. She is passionate about bringing the knowledge of human development, neuroscience and her experience as a leader to help others develop their leadership capability and realise their true potential.
CONFERENCE FACILITATORS
Seema Kotecha,
NZ Police
[This event] has enabled me to define and articulate some of the ideas and concepts that impact women’s development. This has allowed me to consider some practical ways I can contribute and make a difference, and inspire change. Thank you!
Ashley McDougall,
Contact Energy
This conference has armed me with tools and thoughts that I can take away and utilise in both my personal and professional life. It has helped me highlight my strengths, weaknesses, and key areas such as authenticity and self-doubt that I need to work on
Ana Soakai,
Sanitarium
This program helped me to know and understand who I am. To push things to the limit, knowing that failure is my fuel. To speak out and speak up. Being a female leader is awesome
Maria Pasene,
Pegasus Health
The Symposium has provided me with opportunities to build networks with other women. We have shared our stories and helped each other to resolve issues and challenges in our workplaces. It is great to know we are not alone in our experiences and challenges
Full-Attendance Grants Available
Grace
Palmer
Actress and Studio Presenter
Vanisa
Dhiru
Commissioner, Communication and Information, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
Alison
Mau
Editor and Executive Producer, Stuff.co.nz
Kathrine Switzer
Women's Advocate, Runner, and Author
Tricia
Keelan
Pou Ārahi (Deputy CEO and Indigenous Rights Lead), Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (NZ Human Rights Commission)
Theresa Gattung CNZM
Activator and NZ Country Lead, SheEO
Siân
Simpson
Founder and Community Director, Public Rally
Portia Woodman
World Champion Rugby Player
Dr Robbie Francis Watene
Senior Human Rights Researcher, Donald Beasley Institute; Disability Rights Advocate
Anjum
Rahman MNZM
Founder and Project Lead, Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono
More to come!
Chief Petty Officer Emma Songivalu
Leadership Development Instructor, Royal New Zealand Navy
Sophie
Handford
Kāpiti Coast District Councillor; Founder, School Strike 4 Climate NZ
Squadron Leader Elizabeth Reardon
Executive Officer Woodbourne - OSFWB, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Dr Chellie Spiller
Professor, University of Waikato; Author and Trainer
Holly
Bennett
Director and Principal Consultant, Awhi; Founder, Engage
Brigitte
Morten
Director, Franks Ogilvie
Teresa Tepania-Ashton MNZM
CEO, Māori Women's Development Inc
Superintendent Naila Hassan
Waitematā District Commander, New Zealand Police
SHANEEL
LAL
Executive Board Member, RainbowYOUTH; Co-Founder, Conversion Therapy Action Group
Tupe Solomon-Tanoa'i
Chief Philanthropic Officer, Michael & Suzanne Borrin Foundation
Rebecca Kitteridge CVO
Director-General, Security, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS)
Julie
Hardaker
Director/Lawyer, Julie Hardaker Lawyers
Advocacy Partner
The New Zealand Women's Leadership
Symposium
Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd September 2021
Due to COVID-19 this event has now been moved to an online delivery.
