Hall of Fame

COLYN DEVEREUX KAY
GLOBAL HOMEWARE PIONEER (2012)

Colyn is the founder of two global brands. One she started at her kitchen table driven by the need to support her two children and the other she co-founded with her daughter, Charlotte Devereux. Les Floralies turned into a global business and is now owned and operated by her son Danvers. Colyn mentored a large number of women in business in addition to sitting on a wide range of boards including Chair of the Breast Cancer Research Trust and Auckland Chamber of Commerce. She and her businesses have been recognised with numerous awards and in fact, Colyn was the inspiration for the Hall of Fame. Sadly Colyn contracted Alzheimers in 2011 and was unable to attend the ceremony but she was beautifully represented by her two children. She is now (2017) in the last stages of this disease and she is very much missed in business circles.  

ANITA FINNIGAN
EDUCATION CHAMPION (2012)

Anita was the sole parent of 5 children when she started Best Pacifica Institute in 1986 with just 30 students & 2 staff. She has built the organisation to be the largest Private Training Establishment (PTE) in New Zealand with 180 staff and 2700 students and 5 campuses in Auckland. Anita has dedicated the organisation to serve the needs of Pacific Islands communities here in Auckland and for 25 years has delivered vocational education and training to adults and young urban Pacifica youth. Anita established the organisation with the dual goals of achieving educational qualifications and securing employment. Because of Anita's dedication to both qualifications and career outcomes, she established an in-house career and employment consultancy called "BEST People" which has 5 full-time employment brokers and 3 full-time careers counselors who work with every rust to secure employment before students graduate. Anita has developed and pioneered a very unique and successful business model and a successful educational model. BEST has been a "disruptive innovation" within the state-dominated education system because she has successfully developed a rigorous and effective learning and teaching environment where Pasifika students and Maori students succeed. Anita's business and educational model combines entrepreneurial ingenuity with huge public good outcomes and economic contribution to Auckland’s workforce. Anita believes in developing leaders and invests extensively in developing the business skills and experience of the women within the organisation and senior leadership team as well as a rig network of younger and up-and-coming women in other organisations. 

SHARON HUNTER
TECH ENTREPRENEUR (2012)

Sharon started PC Direct in 1989 at the age of 21. Total start-up capital from 3 shareholders was 60,000. The business was sold in 1996 to United States Office Products for circa $20 million. It employed over120 staff at the time of sale. Hirepool was first purchased in 2003 from Owens Group in a leveraged buy-out, together with Goldman Sachs JB Were for $43 million. It was sold to Next Capital in 2006 for circa $170 million. Hunter Powell Investments remained invested in the company as the largest non-institutional shareholder. The company grew to more than 500 staff and had a nationwide presence of more than 70 business units in 5 years since it was first acquired in 2003. Hunter Powell remains a shareholder of NZ Rental Group, the parent company of Hirepool, Porta Loo, Henderson Rentals, and others. Sharon is a Trustee of the Starship Foundation, was on the board of the Rugby World Cup, and also sits on a range of other boards. Following her induction, Sharon was appointed to Co.OfWomen's board  

ANNE NORMAN
RETAIL MAGNATE (2013)

Anne Norman is a proud New Zealander. Together with her husband, David, they have built somewhat of a retail empire over more than 40 years. Their chief enjoyment in this journey has been in bringing iconic Kiwi companies, such as Farmers and Whitcoulls back to New Zealand ownership. Their first enterprise was a small building development company of which David was the foreman and Anne ran the office. From this humble beginning, their business interests have grown into the large retail business they operate today. Collectively they operate nine brands, over 650 retail outlets, and more than 12,000 employees in New Zealand and Australia.

NAOMI BALLANTYNE ONZM
FINANCIAL SERVICES PIONEER (2013)

Naomi has 35 years of experience in the New Zealand Life Insurance Industry and a founding employee of Sovereign, which is now the largest player in the NZ marketplace. At Sovereign, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer with direct responsibility for over 600 staff. Naomi left Sovereign after 11 years to found Club Life in 2001, which she built up and sold to ING NZ in early 2004. She stayed on as Managing Director for over five years during which Noami lead the company’s rapid growth taking it to the position of the second-largest life insurance company in New Zealand by new business market share. (ING Life is now known as OnePath Life.) Naomi left ING in September 2009, to build – Us Advice, which was a unique concept for the provision of financial advice to New Zealand families, something she is most passionate about. In November 2011, Naomi met up with some old friends and as a result of a lively discussion about the current state of the New Zealand Life Assurance industry, is now smack in the middle of building her third Life Insurance Company – Partners Life Limited alongside Sovereign Founder Chris Coon.

LINDA JENKINSON
GLOBAL SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR (2013)

Born in Palmerston North and based in the US for many years, Linda Jenkinson is still in her early 40’s Linda and has built three multi-million dollar companies – Les Concierges, Inc; Dispatch Management Services Corporation and Porthos, Inc. Linda’s career has spanned varied roles including global strategy consultant, corporate operating executive, business and turnaround strategist, fundraiser, social innovator, and public company and nonprofit board chair and director. More recently she’s focused her time and passion on becoming a social change agent and is a passionate supporter of women's empowerment, and was a Co.OfWomen member and supporter from the early days. Being based in the US has made her an even more passionate Kiwi and she is involved in a raft of endeavours to support kiwi entrepreneurs and the country as a tourist destination. She is currently an ambassador for the America's Cup.

DAME TRELISE COOPER 
FASHION ICON (2014)

Dame Trelise Cooper is one of New Zealand's most successful and internationally accomplished fashion designers. She believes fashion is The Theatre of Dreams and celebrating all that it means to be a woman is at the forefront of her renowned, highly elaborate, and spectacular fashion. Establishing her business in 1985, Dame Trelise’s natural sense of beauty and design has helped cement the brand’s presence on the international fashion stage. Today there are ten flagship boutiques worldwide plus over two hundred across America, The Middle East, and Australasia. The Trelise Cooper style is born out of the adventurous New Zealand spirit and embraces the quirkiness and originality that comes with living at the edge of the world. The brand’s four labels – Trelise Cooper, Cooper by Trelise, COOP, and Boardroom – are adored by women across the world, including high-profile international celebrities and pop stars. The power of Trelise Cooper has also translated into three luxurious brand extensions - Trelise Cooper Jewellery, signature fragrance ‘Trelise’ and Trelise Cooper Home. Empathetic, creative, and passionate, Dame Trelise Cooper is well known and respected for her philanthropy and sponsoring of both charitable and ideological causes in New Zealand and abroad.  She is the patron of the Breast Cancer Research Trust and Auckland’s Returned Services Association for War Veterans. Her good works have also been rewarded by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004, and Knighted as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to fashion and the community.

RANJNA PATEL ONZM
HEALTHCARE INNOVATOR (2014)

Ranjna is a founder, director, and member of the Executive Committee of the East Tamaki Healthcare (ETHC) Group of Companies. With a network of 25 general medical clinics across Auckland, working with over 170,000 patients has vast experience in Practice Management and community-based medicine and a deep understanding of health inequalities. Ranjna currently holds a range of leadership, advisory, and governance roles involving medical practice development, strategic development, and public relations. She is a Board member / Trustee of many community and voluntary organisations including International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation ( ISSO ), ISSO Seva, Chairperson of NZ Central Indian Association Women's Group, Lottery Auckland Distribution Committee, Counties Manukau South Asian Police Advisory Board , Chair of MIT Indian Community Advisory Group and was on National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women. She was made an ONZM fin 2016 for her work in the Indian Community. She has been a Justice of Peace since 1996. Her company has won several awards. Ranjna was named Best Businesswoman of the Year at the Indian Business Awards - a finalist in the Business Entrepreneur category of the Women of Influence Awards 2013 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards and named Visionary Leader of the Year in the Deloitte 200 awards.

DIANA HARRINGTON
SERIAL PORTFOLIO ENTREPRENEUR (2014)

In 2014 Diane was named in Forbes Asia Magazine as one of Asia’s 50 most powerful women. She is the Founder, Chair, and CEO of Emerald Group Ltd. Founded in 1994 It has offices in New Zealand, Australia, and China. The group is distinctive in its portfolio of interests crossing a range of sectors and including both product and service businesses. Emerald has invested widely in both wholly-owned or as a significant shareholder in a range of businesses sectors including healthcare, residential retirement properties, furniture and dairy manufacture, recruitment, and contracting services, boutique hotel, marketing, sales, and distribution of New Zealand Natural Infant Milk formula in China Diane is Chair of the Ferguson Foreman Foundation that has been established to support Education, child health, and deaf education, and both CEO and Chair of the Picasso Trust. Diane has received many accolades for her success including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Best New Zealand Business Operating Internationally between $10 and $50 million and named by EY as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.

DR LEE MATHIAS ONZM 

HEALTHCARE CHAMPION (2015)

In 1995, Dr Lee Mathias founded Birthcare, and a new baby-friendly, breast-feeding-focused revolution in childbirth began. A decade later, Lee led another major transformation in the health sector when she co-founded Labtests and won the $850 million contract for the Northern Region. For the last seven years, her entrepreneurial focus has been on Pictor – founded by, Dr Sarita Kumble – it is rolling out state-of-art diagnostics in 3rd world nations and impoverished economies. India was first and Indonesia has just been completed. Lee is also the Chair of UNITEC, Counties Manukau DHB, the Health Promotion Agency, deputy chair of Auckland DHB and she has several other directorships. 

DAME JULIE CHRISTIE 

TV PRODUCTION INNOVATOR (2015)

At the age of 27, Dame Julie Christie discovered that her common touch was key to producing high rating television and her future commercial success. Though Julie is most well known for being the trailblazer of ‘unscripted TV’ in NZ – the innovation that made her company so valuable was the development of programme formats and intellectual property for the international market. Julie sold Touchdown in 2007 and stepped down from programme-making three years ago to concentrate on governance and other projects in hospitality and the New South Wales master franchise for leading workplace drug-testing company, The Drug Detection Agency. Julie is a director of TV3 parent company, MediaWorks, is on several boards including the Flag Consideration Panel. 

ANNETTE PRESLEY ONZM 

TELCO INDUSTRY DISRUPTER (2015) 

In 1988 at the age of 24, Annette Presley was earning $300,000 a year as the head of her own IT Recruitment Company. She has remained at the forefront of the telecommunications industry ever since, co-founding the third largest telco in Australia before returning home to do the same in NZ. In April, Annette and her business partner sold the company that launched pioneering brands Slingshot, CallPlus & Orcon for $250 million – NBR estimate her share at $90 million dollars making Annette Presley one of the most successful and wealthy women in NZ. The Philanthropist is active in many charities in NZ including Shine and Sensible Sentencing Trust, she also participates in the teenage girls school programme, ‘Have a Dream’.

GLENNIE OBORN

THE CHILDCARE PIONEER (2016) 

Glennie’s working life started as a Primary School teacher but at 24 years of age and three months pregnant she quit teaching and opened an early childhood centre in Milford. Over 44 years later, her company Kindercare Learning Centres has enabled thousands of New Zealand women to further their careers and provide for their children, secure in the knowledge that their children are Safe Loved, and Learning

ERICA CRAWFORD

WINE INDUSTRY EXTRAORDINAIRE (2016) 

Erica’s work has spanned the sciences, global marketing, exporting, education, and the arts. She has a passion for creating and building companies with a particular love of the wine industry. As co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines, Erica created a new business model – the virtual wine company.

CILLA HEGARTY

INNOVATIVE TAX GURU INDUSTRY (2016) 

Cilla Hegarty is the Founder and Chief Executive of Christchurch-based company, WooHoo NZ Tax Refunds (NZTR). Since 2008 her company has processed over 300,000 tax refunds and is regarded as one of the largest tax refund companies with more Kiwi taxpayers on its database than anyone else. WooHoo has 80 employees across the globe offering services in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom. 

AUDETTE EXEL AO

SOCIAL JUSTICE GURU (2017) 

Audette is the founder of the Adara Group – proof that the power of business can be used to improve the lives of people in poverty. The Adara Group is made up of two Australian corporate advisory businesses, Adara Advisors and Adara Partners, whose sole purpose is to support its non-profit development organisation, Adara Development. Adara Development focuses on improving health and education for women, children, and communities living in poverty, through best practice service delivery, conducting world-class research, and sharing knowledge globally. Audette is a lawyer by profession specialising in international finance. She was formerly Managing Director of one of Bermuda’s three banks and acted as chair of the Bermuda stock exchange. She is one of the youngest women in the world to run a publicly traded bank. In 2015, Audette was a recipient of a World Class New Zealander Award and in 2016, was named Australia’s 2016 Leading Philanthropist by Philanthropy Australia.

CARMEL FISHER

LEADING INVESTMENT ADVISER (2017) 

Carmel is the founder and Managing Director of one of New Zealand’s largest investment managers and KiwiSaver providers, Fisher Funds. Since starting Fisher Funds in 1998, with a handful of clients and funds under management of $17 million, she has grown the business to manage more than $7 billion for 250,000 clients. Fisher Funds is now the fifth-largest fund manager and largest NZ-owned KiwiSaver provider. Carmel has mentored a number of investment professionals, is a business commentator and thought leader, and known for her ‘plain English’ communication on explaining investment and personal finance topics to investors. She has supported a range of charities and interest groups over a number of years, both privately and via Fisher Funds. As Carmel transitions from her full-time executive role later this year, she is looking forward to devoting time and energy in to developing her philanthropic interests.

KAREN WALKER CNZM

FASHION PIONEER (2017) 

Fashion designer Karen Walker has become a global industry figure who is shaping the future of the fashion industry. Her eccentrically elegant style has established a stellar international following for her ready-to-wear eye-ware, jewellery, bags, and fragrance. Alexa Chung, Lorde, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Florence Welch, and Lena Dunham count themselves amongst the formidable roster of celebrity fans. The Karen Walker brand is available in 38 countries, 200 cities, and 1020 stores including Barneys New York, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols. Karen Walker’s commitment to social responsibility forms the basis of her business. Karen Walker works with Child Labour Free and is fully accredited for ready-to-wear manufacturing. She also works with the United Nations’ ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative. Karen has been an ambassador for Breast Cancer Cure for over 15 years. Karen Walker and its retail stores fundraiser for the SPCA and the Make-A-Wish New Zealand projects throughout the year.

PERI DRYSDALE MBE

SUSTAINABILITY VANGUARD (2018) 

Peri Drysdale founded Snowy Peak Ltd in 1981, designing and producing high-quality, innovative luxury fibre blend knitwear which she subsequently exported globally. After pioneering the development of possum fibre and wool, knitwear brand Merinomink™ (fine merino and possum) was launched in 1996. Concerned with the long-term sustainability of the planet, Peri decided to found the lifestyle fashion brand Untouched World™ in 1998. In 2000 the Untouched World Charitable Trust was set up, funded by profits from sales from Untouched World clothing, products and services. Under Peri’s leadership, the company has won many awards in design, business excellence, exporting, retail, sustainability and ethical governance. In 1992 Peri was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to New Zealand (Manufacturing and Export). She has received the South Island Business Woman of the Year award 2002, and she was North and South Magazine's New Zealander of the Year for 2006. In May 2007 Peri was invited to present alongside 11 other companies from across the world at a UNESCO workshop in Bonn, Germany, on Corporate Education for Sustainable Development. Subsequently, Untouched World became the only fashion company in the world to carry the United Nations certification (UN DESD logo) on its garments for its ground-breaking programmes offered to young adults in leadership for a sustainable future. Untouched World continues to assist UNESCO on Education for Sustainable Development Strategy; and is listed one of three global exemplars in youth ESD on the UN GAP website. In 2018 the UWCT is partnering with the Mahatma Ghandi Institute to broaden the reach of these programmes beyond New Zealand.

MAVIS MULLINS MNZM

COMMERCIAL MĀORI INNOVATOR (2018) 

Mavis has a wealth of governance experience and, is an intuitive entrepreneur. Alongside her husband Koro and daughter Aria, Mavis is a Director of Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd. This company was the first globally in this sector to achieve ISO 9002 certification. She also sits as a director on several public, private, whanau, and NGO businesses, including Chair of Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, a multiple-owned Maori entity, farming sheep beef, dairy, and forestry agribusiness, Chair of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, which provides learning and skills for the primary sector, Chair of Rangitane Tu Mai Ra, a Treaty settlement entity where a settlement has been achieved and now building the platform for economic and social health and wealth. She is also the Patron and Chair of AgriWomens Development Trust (AWDT), where rural women are empowered to be the leaders they aspire to be for their communities and the primary sector. Her other current board positions include Hawkes Bay Rugby Union director, Poutama Trust immediate past chair and board member, Wool Industry Research Ltd (WIRL) board member, Accelerate 25 Lead Team member, and Nga Whenua Rahui. Mavis has received numerous accolades including the 2017 Inductee into the NZ Business Hall of Fame, 2017 Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017 Auckland University Outstanding Maori Business Leader of the Year, 2016 Westpac Rural Woman of Influence, 2014 Auckland University Maori Woman Business Leader of the Year, 2002 MNZM, Queen’s Birthday Honour for service to the wool industry. Mavis also diligently is a free mentor to many young, not so young, hungry, competitive, ambitious, diligent, and focused women entrepreneurs.  

DAME PIETER STEWART

FASHION INDUSTRY DOYENNE (2018)

Mavis has a wealth of governance experience and, is an intuitive entrepreneur. Alongside her husband Koro and daughter Aria, Mavis is a Director of Paewai Mullins Shearing Ltd. This company was the first globally in this sector to achieve ISO 9002 certification. She also sits as a director on several public, private, whanau, and NGO businesses, including Chair of Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, a multiple-owned Maori entity, farming sheep beef, dairy, and forestry agribusiness, Chair of Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, which provides learning and skills for the primary sector, Chair of Rangitane Tu Mai Ra, a Treaty settlement entity where a settlement has been achieved and now building the platform for economic and social health and wealth. She is also the Patron and Chair of AgriWomens Development Trust (AWDT), where rural women are empowered to be the leaders they aspire to be for their communities and the primary sector. Her other current board positions include Hawkes Bay Rugby Union director, Poutama Trust immediate past chair and board member, Wool Industry Research Ltd (WIRL) board member, Accelerate 25 Lead Team member, and Nga Whenua Rahui. Mavis has received numerous accolades including the 2017 Inductee into the NZ Business Hall of Fame, 2017 Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2017 Auckland University Outstanding Maori Business Leader of the Year, 2016 Westpac Rural Woman of Influence, 2014 Auckland University Maori Woman Business Leader of the Year, 2002 MNZM, Queen’s Birthday Honour for service to the wool industry. Mavis also diligently is a free mentor to many young, not so young, hungry, competitive, ambitious, diligent, and focused women entrepreneurs.  

DAME BROWEN HOLDSWORTH

GLOBAL ENGINEERING INNOVATORS (2019) 

Dame Bronwen is finance director and chairman of the Holdsworth Group whose flagship company, Pultron Composites Ltd, is internationally regarded with world-class manufacturing facilities in NZ and Dubai. Pultron is a leader in the research, development and manufacturing of high-performance glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultrusions and has a track record of rapid innovation and R&D achievement, successfully developing more than 45 new specialist structural products used internationally in various civil/infrastructure structures. Over the years, Dame Bronwen has been involved with a range of activities, both locally and nationally, in the areas of the arts, education and business, such as the East Coast Business Development Board, Gisborne Opera Festival, Prime Minister’s Enterprise Council, TVNZ board and many others. She was the establishing chairman of First Light Tourism and is the current trustee of various trusts such as the Gisborne War Memorial Theatre Trust and acting director of the NZSO. Dame Bronwen’s many accomplishments include Business Woman of the Year in 1988; NZ Commemoration Medal in 1990; Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 1997; a Gisborne Millennium Medal in 2000; and was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

JOSEPHINE GAGAN

HEALTHCARE CHAMPION (2019) 

Josephine is a third-generation nurse who believed strong female role models sowed the seeds for her career in the health profession. After 15 years of experience in clinical nursing and health management in the UK, Jo was one of the first students to complete her Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Health Services) at The University of Auckland. Jo founded Geneva Healthcare in 1996, now one of the country’s largest and most respected providers of Home and Community Services. In May 2018, Jo was appointed as Chief Executive of New Zealand Health Group Limited, to become the largest community healthcare company in the country. The New Zealand Health Group provides services to 30,000 New Zealanders by employing over 12,000 staff and has a combined turnover of $600 million a year. Over the last two decades, through Jo’s leadership, Geneva has revolutionised the way carers were trained by developing leading-edge online platforms to deliver training anywhere, anytime. Jo also serves as the Chairperson of the Minds for Minds Charitable Trust, who raise funds to support research focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To date, Jo is the longest-serving female CEO amongst lead service providers in the New Zealand healthcare industry.

 WYNNIS ARMOUR

RECRUITMENT INDUSTRY DISRUPTOR (2019) 

After forays to secondary school teaching and Adult Education provision, Wynnis held senior management positions in both the public and private sectors. She was appointed by the then Dept. of Internal Affairs and the Dept. of Women’s Affairs to the three-person Video Labelling Body (a government body set up to provide guidance to consumers of the age group appropriateness of video content in a previously unregulated market). In 1990, Wynnis received a Commemorative medal for her work by the Minister of Women’s Affairs. And In 1994, worked for one of the largest recruitment conglomerates and quickly rose to become the company’s highest biller and a member of the Executive Leadership team. Wynnis then co-founded The Madison Group - one of New Zealand’s largest nationwide, staffing solutions companies and the recipient of many industry awards for innovation and excellence. To date, she sits on the Board of the publicly listed staffing company, making her one of the (all too few) women presently serving on an NZ listed company’s board.

CECILIA ROBINSON

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR (2020) 

HINEWEHI MOHI MNZM

TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION (2020) 

 MARISA FONG 

RECRUITMENT INDUSTRY DISRUPTOR (2020)

Marisa Fong co-founded The Madison Group with Hall of Fame Inductee, Wynnis Armour, in 1998 successfully growing it to become New Zealand's largest, privately owned Recruitment Company. In 2013, the business was acquired by a publicly listed company in a multi-million-dollar deal that set a precedent for the industry (and one which still hasn’t been beaten). In doing so, Marisa & Wynnis proved to many in Aotearoa that it is possible to compete against global companies and to expect more when selling. Since then, she’s gone on to become an angel investor for a number of businesses. Although she could have easily rested on her laurels since selling Madison, she’s instead chosen to put her energy, time, and experience towards causes and businesses on which she feels she can have the biggest impact. She continues to leave an indelible mark on New Zealand’s business landscape – and isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon.

 DAME SUZIE MONCRIEFF 

ARTS INNOVATOR (2021)

Dame Suzie Moncrieff is the creator and founder of the internationally renowned brand, World of WearableArt. Over the last 30 years, Suzie grew WOW into the brand it is today. It started as a small local event outside a rural cottage near Nelson and has grown into a spectacular stage phenomenon, attracting entries from over 40 countries and an audience of around 60,000 each year. World of WearableArt is now a multi-faceted creative company that encompasses the world’s leading wearable art competition, producing the annual Awards Show and exhibition activity both locally and internationally. Suzie has received several awards for her achievements and contributions to the arts. She was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 and a Dame in 2011 when she was also awarded Wellingtonian of the Year for her contribution to the arts. In 2014 Suzie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Massey University for her contribution to art and design. In 2015 Suzie was named New Zealand’s Deloitte Top 200 Visionary Leader for the Year.

THERESA GATTUNG CNZM

FEMINIST PHILANTHROPIST (2021)

Theresa Gattung is a renowned New Zealand business leader. She is an advocate, author, philanthropist, and investor. Theresa has long been a trailblazer for female leaders and is perhaps best known for her role as CEO of Telecom New Zealand. Since leaving Telecom, she has divided her time between professional governance, entrepreneurial pursuits, and philanthropic work. Theresa has held multiple governance positions including, Chair at AIA Australia and New Zealand, Telco Technology Services, Co.OfWomen, Wellington Board of the SPCA and the Royal New Zealand SPCA National Board. In addition, she is a member of the National Advisory Board on Women's Employment as well as the Board of Global Women. Theresa is involved in numerous not-for-profit and philanthropic efforts, including being on the Global Board of World Pulse, being co-founder of the World Women Charitable Trust and Patron of the Cambodia Charitable Trust. In addition, she is a supporter of The Pūriri Education Charitable Trust, Kootuitui ki Papakura, Gandhi Nivas, the Aunties and Amnesty International. In the 2015 New Year's Honours List, Theresa was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to business and philanthropy. She was also inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame at the 2015 TVNZ Marketing Awards. In 2017, she was named the inaugural winner of the NEXT Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.

CHRISTINE SHARMA

FASHION DYNASTY DOYENNE (2021)

Christine’s career in the fashion industry has spanned more than 45 years. She started her working life as a kindergarten teacher. While training for that qualification, she worked as a retail assistant and it was during this time that Christine found an unequivocal interest in the industry. Over the last 14 years, Christine has led RUBY as its Managing Director to become a household name in Aotearoa's fashion industry. It has become a brand best known and loved for the mutually nourishing relationship with its community. To date, RUBY has had over 700 employees, of which 98% have been female. RUBY currently has seven retail stores across New Zealand, interacts with over one million customers every year and has amassed a large, loyal online following over 120,000 people. Throughout Christine's career, she's worked to support The Women's Refugee, Auckland City Mission and Dress for Success. She initially set up the collection for the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre when it first opened. For her work at the Refugee Resettlement Centre, she garnered a Rotary Award.

KIRI NATHAN MNZM

TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION (2021) 

Kiri Nathan of Tai Tokerau and Waikato descent is the co-founder of the fashion brand KIRI NATHAN. The brand is renowned for the inspiration it derives from Aotearoa and Te Ao Māori. She is the first New Zealander to be invited by the British Council to the London Fashion Week International Showcase. She was also the first New Zealand Fashion designer to work with Walt Disney for the world premiere of MOANA. One of Kiri’s lifelong commitments and contributions has been to support other women. She is a member of Co.OfWomen and has advocated for and mentored women and girls for over 20 years. She is a member of the Wāhine Toa roopu that identifies prominent wāhine Māori leaders. One of Kiri’s focuses has been advocating for more Wāhine Māori presence in groups and spaces predominantly identified as non-Māori. Kiri is a founding board member of the I have a Dream charitable trust. In her philanthropic work, she supports the education of over 1,500 decile one children. Kiri also sits on the New Zealand China Council and Mindful Fashion boards. In the 2020 Queens Birthday honours, Kiri was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori and the fashion industry.

MAXINE SIMMONS CNZM

BIOTECH PIONEER (2022)  

Maxine is an entrepreneur, investor, and champion of the early-stage biotech industry in Aotearoa. She has over 30 years of commercial experience in start-up and expansion-stage private company development. Maxine co-founded one of New Zealand's first biotechnology companies and was awarded a Distinguished New Zealand Biotechnologist Award in recognition for growing a significant biotechnology export business. Subsequently, Maxine established a biotechnology consulting company, BioCatalyst which has provided business advisory services to many early-stage biotechnology ventures. Maxine holds a Master of Science (Hons) degree in biological science from the University of Auckland and is a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors. She was a founding director of Industry New Zealand (now New Zealand Trade and Enterprise), a director of NZ's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Industrial Research Ltd, and Chair of the NZ biotechnology Industry organization, NZBIO. Maxine currently serves on the board of several New Zealand private companies and is a General Partner of Healthtech venture fund, CaraMed Capital.

FRANCES VALINTINE CNZM

TECH FUTURIST (2022)  

RHONDA KITE MNZM

INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE TRANSLATION TRAILBLAZER (2022)  

ROANNE PARKER 

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR (2023)  

KATE WILSON 

GLOBAL IP STRATEGIST (2023)  

BRIANNE WEST 

SUSTAINABILITY WARRIOR (2023)