
Emma Powell
Chief Executive Officer
The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention
Emma Powell is Chief Executive of the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family and Sexual Violence, leading cross-government change to create safer futures for whānau and communities across Aotearoa. She brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience spanning customer experience, governance, strategy, and large-scale transformation. At the heart of Emma’s career is a belief that leadership is about changing lives through better systems and services. She is recognised for building trust across boundaries, uniting diverse voices, and influencing leaders to take bold, collective action. Passionate about people and organisational growth, Emma champions leadership that is authentic, values-driven, and courageous. She fosters cultures where accountability and compassion sit side by side, encouraging others to lead with clarity, fairness, and humanity. For Emma, impact is not only measured in outcomes, but also in how leaders show up for those they serve.
SESSIONS
DAY 2
9:50
CEO Panel: Stronger Together – Building Trust, Influence and Impact
Who gets heard, backed, and seen – and how leaders are shifting that power dynamic
What it really takes to build trust across teams with diverse backgrounds and lived experience
Personal examples of allyship in action and how it made a difference
Embedding accountability and navigating discomfort with courage
Paula Tesoriero MNZN, Secretary for Disabled People, Chief Executive, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People & Former Paralympian
Emma Powell, Chief Executive Officer, The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention
Prashant Bakshi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Services, NZQA
Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana, Managing Director, TRC Tourism