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.

9:30 AM – Opening Remarks from the Chair
Welcome and reflections on courage, authenticity and leadership legacy.

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.

10:30 AM – It’s Time… for Networking!
Connect with your fellow delegates and start building your leadership circle.

10:50 AM – Morning Tea

Session 2 – 11:15 AM

Burnout, Boundaries and Breakthroughs
This session explores the realities of burnout, the power of saying no, and the strategies that allow women leaders to thrive, not just survive.

Session 3 – 12:05 PM

Exclusive Keynote Session
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 – 2:05 PM

Customer-Centric, People-First Leadership
Great leaders listen — to their teams, their customers, and the communities they serve. Learn how to lead with empathy while still driving innovation and results.

Session 5 – 3:15 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.

4:15 PM – End of Day One & Networking Drinks

Conference Day 2

09:00 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.

Session 1 – 9:10 AM

Lessons from the Frontlines of Change
What does it take to lead transformation — inside organisations and across sectors? Explore how to bring people with you while navigating complexity and challenge.

Session 2 – 10:00 AM

Making the Move: From Manager to Board Member
Unpack the journey to the boardroom — what it takes, what to expect, and how to position yourself for the next chapter of your career.

10:50 AM – Morning Tea

Session 3 – 11:20 AM

Exclusive Keynote Session
Staying Visible and Vocal in a Fast-Moving World

Visibility matters. Hear from a public figure or high-profile leader on how they’ve stayed relevant, stayed vocal, and continued to lead with purpose in the spotlight.

Session 4 – 1:20 PM

The Science of Resilience: Tools for Leading Under Pressure
Whether navigating personal challenges or public crises, this session explores evidence-based strategies for building resilience and staying focused under pressure.

Session 5 – 2:35 PM

Purpose-Driven Leadership in Action
Leadership is more than influence — it’s impact. Discover how leading with purpose can drive business success, team engagement, and personal fulfilment.

Session 6 – 3:30 PM

The Next Generation: Sponsoring Future Female Leaders

A look at the role of mentorship, sponsorship and allyship in creating pathways for the next generation of women to rise — and thrive.

Post-Conference Workshop

09:00 Mindful Leadership for Women Masterclass

This one-day workshop for aspiring and current female leaders will provide progressive approaches to boost self-confidence, gain influence at multiple organizational levels, live a more balanced life, and inspire other women to do the same. This program will take an “inside-out” approach to introduce the relevance and benefits of mindfulness and compassion in leadership. The facilitator will utilize practical activities, exercises, and tools, and will incorporate case studies on how mindfulness can make a measurable impact on organisational effectiveness.

Key Benefits Of Attending:

• Lead with authenticity
• Unlock your highest potential
• Cultivate greater influence
• Build a courage mindset
• Create greater joy and meaning

By the end of the day you will have a personalised plan to build your gravitas that will have you seen as a serious contender for major role advancement/promotion/project lead/overseas secondment/board appointments. This is a collaborative and highly interactive experience for women, in a safe environment free from judgement, censure, politics or organisational power plays.

Tulsi is a former lawyer with a psychology, mediation, investigation and counselling background. Through working as an investigator and mediator of discrimination complaints at the Australian Human Rights Commission and then as an investigator for the Department of Education and Communities investigating improper conduct and child abuse allegations, she realised she wanted to fix problems and not just investigate them. Tulsi is well known among our clients, as the ’empathy’ person who has a unique ability to develop communication and conflict resolution skills to bring out the best in leaders, staff and teams and build positive workplace cultures. Her expertise covers management consulting, facilitation, coaching and mentoring with a particular focus on conflict resolution, communication skills, building relationships, rebuilding and strengthening teams, dealing with difficult behaviours, having brave conversations and building emotional agility and resilience.

10:00 The Power of Personal Brand: Uncover your superpowers and how to apply them to your career

In today’s competitive landscape, having a strong personal brand is more than just an advantage— it’s a necessity. Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson, co-founders of Powrsuit, bring their expertise in building powerful, authentic personal brands that resonate and stand out. This workshop will guide you through the process of uncovering your unique strengths—your superpowers—and leveraging them to propel your career forward. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, transitioning roles, or looking to make a bold career pivot, this session offers the tools you need to succeed.

Throughout this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to identify and articulate your personal brand in a way that aligns with your professional goals. Kristen and Natalie will share practical strategies for applying your brand across various platforms, ensuring consistency and impact. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to harness your superpowers to create opportunities and achieve your career aspirations.

Key Benefits Of Attending:

• Identify Your Unique Strengths: Discover and articulate what sets you apart from others.
• Build a Cohesive Personal Brand: Learn how to craft a personal brand that aligns with your career goals.
• Enhance Your Professional Presence: Understand how to apply your brand across different platforms for maximum impact.
• Create Career Opportunities: Use your personal brand as a tool to open doors and drive your career forward.

By the end of this workshop, you will have a personalized plan to develop and implement a powerful personal brand that reflects your strengths and aspirations. Kristen and Natalie will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to confidently present your authentic self in any professional setting. Embrace your superpowers and take control of your career trajectory.