Anna Calver
Chief Economic and Engagement Officer
Wellington City Council
Anna is a creative leader, storyteller, connector and unofficial chief Wellington cheerleader. With a distinguished career in marketing, communications and economic development, Anna has led high-impact projects and campaigns for iconic brands in numerous industries including technology, tourism, finance, the arts and consumer goods.
Since moving to Pōneke 15 years ago, Anna has worked with organisations that contribute to the economic and cultural wellbeing of Wellington, from start-ups to major events. Prior to working at Wellington City Council, Anna led the marketing team at WellingtonNZ, where she implemented a more strategic and impactful way of working, with marketing activity proven to directly attribute an incremental $420M in visitor spend to the economy across a three-year period.
At the Council, Anna’s team is responsible for oversight of Council Controlled Organisations (Sky Stadium, Zealandia, Wellington Zoo, Experience Wellington, the Wellington Cable Car, WellingtonNZ and the Basin Reserve), Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, Communications, Engagement, International Relations, Economic Wellbeing and City Revitalisation, and stakeholder relations.
Anna’s leadership style is centred around collaboration, working with teams and partners on delivering shared outcomes, through a commitment to action, innovation and measurable results. When not at mahi, Anna enjoys spending time with her whānau, walking Wellington’s many trails (even in the wind), reading, cooking and enjoying the many outstanding hospitality and cultural offerings the city has to offer.
SESSIONS
DAY 1
2:05
Mini Leadership Labs
Lab A: Resilience in High-Pressure Environments
How do you keep people motivated when the pace is relentless? This session helps you sharpen the ability to make clear decisions in uncertain conditions, sustain your team’s energy, and remain composed when pressure builds.
Skills Learned: Decisive decision-making, stress management, sustaining team motivation, and role-modelling resilience.
Alison McDonald OBE, Deputy Secretary, Immigration, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment | Hīkina Whakatutuki
Lab B: Building Executive Presence and Self-Belief
Executive presence is critical for leaders who want to influence decisions and advance their careers. This lab will help you strengthen self-belief, communicate with confidence and authority, and position yourself effectively for progression opportunities while staying authentic to your leadership style.
Skills Learned: Strengthening executive presence, communicating with authority, building self-belief, and strategic self-advocacy.
Loren Thomas, Head of People Strategy & Experience, Trade Me
Lab C: Leading High-Performing Teams
Unpack what it really takes to build and sustain a team that consistently delivers results. This lab focuses on the behaviours, systems and leadership practices that drive accountability, trust and performance for long-term success – even in the face of conflict, underperformance, or team dysfunction – to support long-term success.
Skills Learned: Building accountability and trust, fostering psychological safety, managing conflict and underperformance, strengthening team cohesion, and applying practical frameworks to sustain motivation and performance under pressure.
Anna Calver, Chief Economic and Engagement Officer, Wellington City Council