Pre-Conference Workshops

09:00 Goal setting, positive mindset & steps to leadership success for women

The ability to reach goals and make lasting positive changes is something that almost everyone struggles with. Generating the momentum and enthusiasm to keep taking the necessary action and see things through can be difficult. In the past year, with the significant turbulence and uncertainty that the world has been going through, this has never been more true.

There is a secret to achieving success and reaching your goals. There is a key to making positive change happen. The best news is; it’s simple to learn and works for everyone.

This course is a half-day master class designed to give you the tools, skills and insights to make solid progress toward any goal. You will learn a simple, step-by step process and walk away with a blueprint to reach your goals. Along with this action plan you will also learn the skills to fine tune your mindset for success which will enable you to better conquer fears, doubts and any other blocks that have been getting in your way.

Key Course Takeaways:

• Take away the 5 step process to immediately achieve your goals and create change that lasts
• Create change and achieve anything you want
• Why people fail to reach goals, and what to do about it
• How you need to tap into motivation to create momentum
• Uncover blocks and build strategies to overcome them
• Understand what a success mindset is and how to achieve it
• Prevent sabotaging thoughts and return your mindset to positivity
• Take away the 4 essential mindset steps to reaching your goals

12:30 Lunch

13:30 No matter your role, it’s important that you speak your truth and learn how to communicate so that your voice is heard.

All too often we find ourselves leaving conversations frustrated that we haven’t been heard or understood clearly. There are times when we haven’t been able to find the space in a meeting to share our perspectives at all!

This half day masterclass will give you the opportunity to build your gravitas in all contexts, communicate with confidence and clarity, and make the practical mindset changes needed to remove roadblocks to expressing yourself. You will Learn Limit inner conflicts which might limit workplace performance Project more authority and communicate with gravity Master sustainable control of stress and stressors in the work environment Improve positive-attitude maintenance in challenging situations Assess and adjust personal leadership style quickly, accurately and privately By the end of the workshop you will have uncovered what is in the way of you finding and expressing your voice with confidence and clarity understood how to build capacity in your communication style and how to listen for and respond to other people’s styles of communication built the confidence and know how to show up and have your voice heard

Conference Day 1

9:00 AM –  Mihi Whakatau / Opening Ceremony

Begin the summit with a traditional Māori welcome and an introduction to the two days ahead.

SESSION 1: OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION 9:40 AM: Leading with Clarity and Courage in Public Life

Brooke shares her experience as a young woman navigating the complexities of politics, leadership and public scrutiny. In this session, she reflects on what it takes to lead with conviction in environments where visibility is constant, opinions are divided, and the stakes are high. Drawing from her journey into Parliament, through to party leadership and ministerial responsibility, Brooke explores how to stay true to your values, engage constructively across difference and build influence without losing your voice. This session offers honest insight into leading with clarity, building resilience and creating space for diverse voices in the rooms where decisions are made.

Session 1 – 9:40 AM

Leading Through Crisis: Cultural Transformation When Your Organization’s Reputation is on the Line
Drawing from her 30-year track record transforming organisational performance across global firms, Jo will share how she led Russell McVeagh through one of the most challenging cultural transformations in New Zealand’s corporate history, rebuilding trust and reputation. Jo will provide practical strategies for female leaders navigating high-stakes transformation while building psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces that unlock collective potential during times of uncertainty.

SESSION 2 11:20 AM: Burnout, Boundaries and Breakthroughs

Leadership at the top isn’t about never burning out - it's about knowing when to set boundaries and having the courage to turn setbacks into breakthroughs. As a Deputy Chief Executive at Stats NZ, Rachael has learned that resilience isn’t built in isolation - it’s built in community.

Today's session is about cutting through the myth of perfect leadership and talking honestly about how we survive and thrive in the roles we hold.

Joint Session with EA/PA Leadership Summit

SESSION 3: EXCLUSIVE KEYNOTE SESSION 12:10 PM: Building Sharesies and Redefining Leadership in the Start-Up World

Despite New Zealand ranking 4th globally for entrepreneurial women, only 33% of local start-ups are led by women—Sharesies is a rare exception. In this session, co-founder and co-CEO Brooke Roberts shares how she left the corporate world to build a values-driven investing platform from the ground up. From launching while pregnant and working unpaid, to raising capital and growing a community of over 700,000 investors, Brooke offers a candid look at the challenges, lessons, and purpose-led leadership behind Sharesies’
success.

1:05 PM – Lunch

SESSION 4 2:10 PM: Leading Through Crisis and Change

Jo Avenell brings a rare depth of insight into what it takes to lead through complexity, uncertainty, and change. Drawing from her experience leading cultural and reputational transformation, Jo will share how she rebuilt trust during a period of intense scrutiny while driving meaningful and lasting organisational change.
 
In this session, Jo will offer practical strategies for female leaders navigating high-stakes transformation, with a focus on creating psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces. Her reflections will highlight how to unlock collective potential, sustain cultural momentum, and lead with clarity and care during times of uncertainty.

SESSION 5 3:00 PM: Leading Change with Courage, Clarity and Connection

In this session, Louise will share her insights on leading through change in local government, drawing on her experience across councils in New Zealand and the UK. From cultural transformation to operational reform, she has led teams through major change while staying grounded in values, trust, and communication. Louise will explore how to bring people along, even when change is tough, and why authenticity, kindness, and consistency are key to building resilience..

3:50 PM: AFTERNOON TEA

SESSION 6: CLOSING KEYNOTE

4:10 PM: Laughing in the Face of Adversity: Leading with Grit, Grace & a Bit of Sass

In this bold and refreshingly honest session, acclaimed comedian and writer Justine Smith shares what it takes to lead with resilience and authenticity in industries that weren’t built to welcome you. Drawing from over two decades in the high-pressure world of comedy and television, Justine explores how to hold your ground, use humour as a leadership tool, and navigate challenges with grit and grace. With sharp insights and unfiltered honesty, she’ll unpack what it means to succeed without losing yourself — and how to lead others while still learning to back yourself

5:10 PM: CLOSE OF DAY 1 & NETWORKING DRINKS

Conference Day 2

09:00 AM Opening Remarks from the Chair

Dana Lightbody is the CEO of The Leadership Institute. She is a staunch advocate of equality for women in business and believes women should be helping other women every chance they get. Dana established Konnect Learning in 2013 and The Leadership Institute in 2017. Since then she has advocated for equality for women in all aspects of her entrepreneurial and professional life - in particular by chairing and assisting the production team in the development of TLI's Women in Leadership line of events.

Joint Session with EA/PA Leadership Summit

SESSION 1: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 9:10 AM: Leading from the front row and the bottom of a ruck! – breaking barriers and redefining leadership

Dame Farah Palmer will share how women can push boundaries, claim visibility, and embrace reinvention while leading with authenticity. Drawing on her journey as a Māori woman in sport and governance, she will explore how intersectionality shapes leadership and fuels inclusion. Through powerful stories and practical strategies, she will inspire leaders to navigate change, build influence, and create pathways for the next generation.

Joint Session with EA/PA Leadership Summit

SESSION 2: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 11:20 AM: Embracing the Pivot

In this uplifting session, broadcaster and author Toni Street shares how the biggest
breakthroughs in her career have come from moments of unexpected change. She reflects on how moving from sport to journalism and navigating personal challenges shaped her path and taught her the value of staying open to new possibilities. With honesty and clarity, Toni encourages women to see change not as a setback but as a chance to grow, evolve, and lead with confidence.

Joint Session with EA/PA Leadership Summit

SESSION 3: CO-LOCATED KEYNOTE 11:30 AM: The Hidden Costs of Success in Fashion

In this dynamic and candid conversation, Karen Walker will share the lesser-known challenges of leading an award-winning fashion house, offering a rare look beyond the glamour into the realities of sustaining creative excellence, commercial success, and personal resilience. She will explore the pressures of constant innovation, the balancing act between artistry and business demands, and the leadership skills needed to guide a team through shifting markets and public scrutiny. Attendees will leave with practical insights on navigating visibility, maintaining authenticity under pressure, and leading with both courage and clarity in industries where perception often overshadows reality.

12:30 PM: Quick Break & Lucky Door Prize & Lunch

SESSION 4 1:30 PM: Lessons from the Frontlines of Change

 What does it take to lead real transformation across an organisation and an entire sector? In this session, Sarah Gillies shares the hard-earned lessons from leading reform in one of New Zealand’s most complex and scrutinised systems. Drawing from her experience at the helm of the Electricity Authority, Sarah will explore how to bring people with you through periods of uncertainty, how to stay focused on long-term impact under short-term pressure, and what it means to lead with purpose and clarity when navigating public scrutiny, and regulatory shifts.

SESSION 5 2:35 PM: Leading Through Uncertainty: Purpose, People and Practical Lessons

 When uncertainty strikes, what anchors you? In this session, Chelydra shares candid reflections from leading through some complex and challenging moments – from the Whakaari eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic to the recent merger of Crown Research Institutes. She explores how purpose, empathy, and trust can guide leaders through ambiguity and transformation. Expect real stories, hard-won lessons, and practical insights for leading with both heart and head – especially when the path ahead is unclear.  This session offers thoughtful insights and practical reflections for anyone grappling with uncertainty in their own leadership journey.  

SESSION 6 3:25 PM: Driving Change and Staying Grounded in Retail Leadership

Tania brings deep experience in leading large-scale retail operations and driving transformation in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment. In this session, she reflects on what it takes to lead with agility, influence decision-making at the top, and stay grounded while managing complexity. Tania will share lessons on building resilient teams, championing innovation, and navigating the challenges of leading through change in one of New Zealand’s most iconic retail organisations.

4:15 PM: CLOSING REMARKS & CLOSE OF CONFERENCE

Post-Conference Workshop

The Practical Leadership Playbook: Leading with Clarity & Courage

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

“I wish I had done this workshop two years ago when I started as a manager”

What You’ll Learn:

Grounded in research and tested in practice, this masterclass will help you to: 

• Strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation
  Understand your personal leadership style, manage emotional responses and build lasting resilience.
• Set clear expectations for behaviour, performance, and working relationships
  Create a culture of accountability and psychological safety through clear boundaries and shared commitments.
• Provide advanced support to your team
  Recognise and respond to what your team members need to succeed and grow and manage in challenging times.
• Deliver feedback that drives performance and development
  Learn how to give confident, constructive feedback that supports good behaviour, addresses concerns early and strengthens your team.
• Navigate brave conversations with clarity and care
  Use the Correction Continuum to prepare for and engage in the conversations that matter—early, effectively and with integrity.
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• A practical leadership workbook packed with tools, templates, conversation scripts, and frameworks you can use for years to come.
  
  
  

“Every time I need to have a brave conversation, I go back to the templates and scripts. They give me the support and confidence I need to prepare well

• A peer learning experience that connects you with like-minded leaders navigating similar challenges.
• The confidence and capability to immediately apply what you’ve learned in your leadership role.

“This is the most practical workshop I’ve ever attended.”