This year’s Women in Leadership Series campfire chat in Rotorua was full to the brim with established and emerging women leaders driven to keep the fires lit — a sentiment echoed in the rich wisdom offered by our speakers Andy Blair, Co-Founder and Director of Upflow, and Fiona McTavish, CEO of Bay of Plenty Regional Council. These two powerhouse leaders and Global Women members filled the room with enthusiasm through their insightful and thought-provoking kōrero.
The event began with our speakers emphasising the importance of vulnerability in leadership, before demonstrating how it connects to the journey of empowerment. Andy and Fiona affirmed that effective leaders prioritise putting people come first, uplifting and empowering those people, building resilience and being the change we want to see. The idea that “now is our time” was a key message that emerged over the course of the evening, highlighting the need to be impatient, ambitious, and eager to start our own journeys towards making change. 
While traversing an array of the crucial themes that arise for women leaders, Andy and Fiona discussed how to keep ambition alive and maintain the fires of inspiration. Their kōrero explored the value of a leadership approach that prioritises humanising the workplace. Each speaker highlighted the need to support and encourage individuals, so that they can achieve the dreams they once thought impossible. The conversation went on to address the complexities of meritocracy, challenging the legitimacy of a system that claims to reward individuals due to skill or effort. Without accounting for the societal factors and inherent biases that determine perceived skill or effort, a meritocracy can only reaffirm those who represent voices that already have a seat at the table.
Weaving back into the idea that “now is our time,” Andy and Fiona also addressed the immediate urgency of tackling the climate crisis. Between Andy’s ongoing mahi in geothermal innovation and the transformative work Fiona has been undertaking towards environmental stewardship, both of the night’s speakers have a demonstrated commitment to leading for a sustainable future in Aotearoa New Zealand. With the majority of the country’s carbon emissions coming from our agricultural sector, Andy and Fiona’s kōrero centred on decarbonisation in food production. As a nation, we have the solutions, but “need the oxygen and capital to set it on fire.”
As we approached the end of the evening, Andy and Fiona collectively shared a few golden career ‘hacks’ for those seeking inspiration. At the heart of this conversation was an emphasis on how understanding our value, and aligning it with our core values, is essential to our growth as leaders. It was highlighted that, for women, careers often progress through three stages: first, recognising your worth and the value you bring; second, confidently demanding what you deserve; and third, leveraging your value to create positive change in the world.
Other wisdom shared included the importance of asking for what you want, even when in doubt, and that trusting your gut feelings can often guide you in crucial decision-making as it eliminates the noise and helps you stay focused. The audience was encouraged to keep a book of their achievements to serve as a personal motivator and reminder of their capabilities.
Finally, Andy and Fiona highlighted the importance of both our unique strengths as individuals, and the value of the collective, encouraging all to double down on their superpowers and harness the support of their networks, including mentors, coaches, and sponsors. The evening left us feeling nourished and energised towards building a sustainable and inclusive future for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Many thanks to our partnering hosts ANZ and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, our speakers Andy Blair and Fiona McTavish, and our facilitator Cassandra Crowley.