This International Women’s Day, Global Women Chief Executive Katie Bhreatnach spoke to NZ Herald about how Aotearoa New Zealand’s corporate leaders are committed to staying the course for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
“Companies that I get to work with in this role at Global Women, I don’t see them stepping back, I actually see them doubling down,” says Katie.
“Businesses here understand that inclusion drives performance.”
The themes for International Women’s Day 2025 were “Accelerate Action” and “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” Globally, initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion have been facing challenges across multiple sectors, following United States President Donald Trump’s executive orders to eliminate DEI targets.
This deterioration of DEI policies across international corporations has undermined years of advancement. However, while global trends have an undeniable influence, Katie points out that New Zealand leaders can choose their own path.
“New Zealand’s always had a unique approach, where we’ve got a history of trailblazers, and we’re always trying to drive that change and challenge ourselves to think about how we can do things differently,” says Katie.
“The businesses I engage with … they see DEI not as a compliance exercise that takes away from business strategy. Rather, they see it as a strategic advantage.”
Global Women partners with leading New Zealand corporations, including PwC New Zealand, Toyota New Zealand, Air New Zealand, ANZ Bank, Westpac Bank, One NZ, Spark, Fletcher Building, Fonterra, Infrantil, and others.
Chief Executives and Chairs of these partners comprise the Champions for Change, an initiative committed to accelerating progress for Aotearoa New Zealand. In light of the global pushback to DEI, the Champions have been undeterred – maintaining their commitment to DEI and advancing progress for everyone, everywhere.
“Having a great culture and talent, and also future talent strategy, I would suggest, is a key pillar for any successful business,” says Katie.
“Every organisation I’ve worked in has structured them differently. What really matters is the commitment to the clarity of your strategy and vision, and the commitment to executing it and driving it forward.”
Read the full story over at NZHerald.co.nz.