Prime Minister Launches New Zealand Global Women
I was one of 100 women invited to the launch of New Zealand Global Women at Auckland University yesterday. The event was launched by Prime Minister John Key, which speaks volumes for his support for the organisation! Women from Australia, China, UK and US were invited.
It was great to catch up with Jenny Shipley, Ruth Richardson and Annah Stretton.
It was my pleasure to meet Lady Pipa Blake and the chair of Global Women, Mai Chen.
A new group of high-profile women leaders committed to encouraging women in top leadership will be launched on Thursday 2 July. Founding members include Rt Hon Jenny Shipley and Wellington lawyer Mai Chen (Chairperson).
Membership to New Zealand Global Women is by invitation only. The selection criteria for membership of NZGW are women who:
- Have occupied a very senior leadership position in an influential company, or organization, whether in private, public or non-profit sectors.
- Have demonstrated significant thought leadership and vision.
- Are well connected and highly influential.
- Are role models for other women in NZ and who have a personal commitment to supporting other women to achieve leadership positions
The New Zealand Global Women Advisory Board meet on a bi monthly meeting cycle and will be considering a further small intake of members in the first quarter of 2010.
More than ever before, New Zealand needs its most senior women to achieve their full leadership potential – guiding critical decisions, and becoming role models for our emerging female achievers.
In NZ women hold 19% CEO/MD positions – down from 22% in 2006.
In NZ Women hold 8.65% (54 out of 624) Board of Director positions on NZSX .
NZ ranks 10th globally in female representation in business management – down from 4th in 2004.A group of business women had the vision for and belief that:
New Zealand’s nationally and globally successful, influential women leaders needed a forum to serve as a catalyst for change, and to mobilise a community of inspirational and ambitious women leaders
By raising the ceiling of New Zealand business activity and further connecting leaders (corporate, professional, creative, public, national and global) there is the basis for competitive advantage and a model for working with the world’s best.
New Zealand Global Women, founded in 2009, is a not for profit organisation whose members are recognised, accomplished senior women leaders from a wide range of national and international disciplines and industries.
Members build meaningful peer to peer relationships, exchange ideas, facilitate international opportunities and openly share their collective wisdom with each other.
As New Zealand’s premier dynamic women’s organisation, we actively work to expand the national and international impact and influence of women leaders, develop and assure leadership opportunities for qualified women, and mentor and shape emerging leaders.
Global Women Board:
Mai Chen, partner, Chen Palmer NZ – Chairwoman for Global Women
Jenny Shipley, former PM, managing director, Jenny Shipley NZ
Jane Diplock, chair, Securities Commission
Sarah Kennedy, CEO, Vitaco Health
Bridget Liddell, managing principal, Fahrenheit Ventures
Jenny Morel, managing partner, No. 8 Ventures
Wendy Pye, managing director, Wendy Pye Publishing
Patsy Reddy, director, Active Equities
Annah Stretton, CEO, Stretton Clothing and Stretton Publishing
Katrina Troughton, director, IBM’s WebSphere division
