Inspired by the successful Women in Leadership series in the Bay of Plenty region, the inaugural Taranaki campfire event marked a start to what will be a successful series in 2025. Initiated by Global Women member and former TSB Chief Executive Donna Cooper, along with former Venture Taranaki Chief Executive Justine Gilliland and Taranaki Regional Council Chairwoman Charlotte Littlewood, the event was born out of a shared recognition of the need to create empowering opportunities for wāhine in the region.
Co-hosted by Port Taranaki and Powerco, the highly anticipated event saw tickets fully booked within 24 hours.
Our two inspirational guest speakers—Agnes Naera, CEO of Global Women and Kristen Lunman, Co-Founder of Powrsuit—captivated the audience with their wisdom, insights, and humility. They both shared their personal journeys of how they came to be where they are today, offering powerful stories of tenacity and determination. While each of their stories were compelling on its own, together they created an undeniable energy that resonated throughout the event.
Agnes shared that “one of the values of the leadership programmes we run is that all women are from different backgrounds, different industries,” emphasising the importance of “finding people that are not like you” in order to succeed, both as individuals and as an organisation. Kristen likewise offered wisdom for women on their own leadership journeys, asserting that “one thing we can do is start to get comfortable asking for help and really being vulnerable.” She encouraged others to initiate difficult conversations, giving the example of “I am looking to move into a people leadership role, and I just don’t know what my next step is,” to underline the value of clear, open communication.
Amongst the audience were rangatahi from New Plymouth high schools, with the event serving as an opportunity for the next generation of wāhine leaders to engage with inspiring leaders in their region. In many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s regional centres, the visibility of women in leadership is often limited, making events like this crucial for broadening students’ leadership experiences by connecting them with leaders from across the country.
Global Women acknowledge the effort and support of Donna, Justine, Charlotte, Port Taranaki and Powerco. We are delighted to have the opportunity to further strengthen our Taranaki connections and support the growth of wāhine leaders throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini – just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to enable an individual’s success.