Loren Thomas
Head of People Strategy & Experience
Trade Me
Loren Thomas is a passionate senior leader with nearly 20 years of HR experience. As the Head of People Strategy & Experience at Trade Me, she was named HR Manager of the Year in 2022 and has a proven track record of spearheading major strategic initiatives that create thriving, inclusive cultures. Loren has a unique ability to see the big picture and break it down into actionable steps, finding the sweet spot where innovation and practical application coexist.
Guided by her purpose to ‘make things happen with humour, heart, and hard work’, Loren believes that true executive presence isn’t defined by external achievements, but by the courage to navigate the internal journey of leadership. It is this conviction that fuels her passion for empowering women to build unshakeable self-belief and lead with authenticity.
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