Rhiannon McKinnon, Founder and Principal, Cassiobury

Accelerate change and bring along an ally from your organisation to attend the morning block of sessions (up until morning tea). Send across the details of your ally to info@womenleadersinstitute.com at least 6 weeks before the event.*

• Learn tools and techniques to meaningfully engage as an ally and create change in your sector

• Going beyond gender equity, understanding intersectionality and creating a culturally safe workplace

• How to assess your policies and procedures to ensure a welcoming, and inclusive workplace

Moderator: Hūhana Melanie Lyndon, Green Party List MP, Tai Tokerau; Chief Executive Officer, Ngati Hine Forestry Trust

Greg Durkin, Director, BCITO

Chris White, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Cross Healthcare

Dr Linda Sissons, Chief Executive, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao

• Role modelling empathy and integrity to build a safe and inclusive space for high performing teams

• Gain strategies for calling out problematic behaviour within your team

• Reflect on your engrained cognitive biases and build strategies to mitigate them

Judy O’Brien, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, New Zealand Rugby

Join our 50-minute mini leadership workshop led by influential leaders in an unconference format. In this session you will work through the challenges you have identified as key in your day-to-day operations and leadership role, by offering peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving. Get actionable insights directly from experienced leadership coaches and co-create strategies to elevate your leadership impact.

Unconference Session for New and Emerging Leaders: Discover strategies and tips to excel in your first managerial roles. Engage in open discussions on navigating early leadership challenges and building a solid foundation for career growth.

Session A: Chantelle Cole, Programme Director, Game Development Sector Rebate, NZ On Air

Session B: Laura Ciblich, Co-Founder and Design Director, RUN

Unconference Session for Middle Management: Gain practical insights to master the art of balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day operations, strategic decision-making, and driving team performance. Explore potential topics such as change management, conflict resolution, and cultivating a positive work culture.

Session A: Carmen Doran, Chief Executive Officer, Helius Therapeutics; Inspiring Women Leaders Winner, New Zealand International Business Awards

Session B: Privani Howes, Head of People and Culture, Ceres Organics

Unconference Session for Top-Level Management & C-Suite: Equip yourself with advanced leadership techniques including strategic leadership, executive communication, and leading high-performing teams. Engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as organisational vision, talent development, and driving innovation.  
Rhiannon McKinnon, Founder and Principal, Cassiobury

Hear how women can break down psychological barriers to investing and believing in their brand. Be inspired to maximise your financial security and independence through building on opportunities to bridge the gap. This discussion focuses on paving the way for gender equity, creating safe and inclusive spaces for women to learn, grow and be economically empowered.

Moderator: Andrea Blair, Director, Upflow; Board Member, Global Women; 2023 WE Empower Award Winner

Rowena Davenport, Director, New Zealand Rugby

Te Kahukura Boynton, Founder and Director, Māori Millionaire

Session will be streamed from Sydney, Australia

Simone Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, UN Women Australia

Professor Rae Cooper AO, Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations, University of Sydney; Founding Director, Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion @ Work; Future Fellow, Australian Research Council; President, International Labour and Employment Relations Association

In this energising, hands-on workshop, you'll step into the role of designer for your own career. Drawing on key insights from the past two days, you’ll work through a guided process to uncover the themes that matter most for your leadership growth. Using a powerful design-thinking framework, you’ll learn to explore and focus your ideas, distilling them into a meaningful next step. Walk away with practical actions and a clear sense of how to shape your journey with purpose and confidence.

Samantha Gadd, Founder and Director, Humankind; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Excellent