The Global Women membership has grown to almost 300 this year, so our team at the Global Women office is growing to support you. We are delighted to introduce you to two new faces you will be getting to know and getting in touch with over the coming weeks and months, Fiona Wylens and Nick Everitt.
Fiona joins us as Operations and Membership Manager, and Nick will be your point person for day-to-day enquiries about membership in the newly created role of Member and Partner Co-ordinator. As they settle into their roles, we took five minutes to say hello and find out a bit more about Fiona and Nick.
Meet Fiona
1. Who are you, and what’s your position at Global Women?
Fiona Wylens – Operations and Membership Manager
2. When and why will Global Members be hearing from you?
As Membership Manager I champion the Members’ position within the Global Women office. I will be leading the membership nomination and membership database processes to Membership committee, and supporting collaborative membership initiatives including Sector Group Activation.
I also oversee financial management, facilities, ICT and office administration.
3. Why is diversity and inclusion in leadership important to you?
To me, diversity and inclusion is more than just the right thing to do, it helps increase understanding of the world and provides a new perspective. It is well documented a more diverse workforce will put any company into a stronger position to grow and innovate, and enables businesses to attract top industry talent and connect with customers.
My interest stems from my mother having to resign her position when she got married because only single women were allowed to work! She was very progressive for the time and shone in her later years as an artist and community leader.
4. Tell us a little about what you were up to before joining Global Women.
My background is in financial accounting with a focus on project costing and reporting within the construction and software solution industries. From there I moved into broader operational roles leading financial, administration, sales, customer care, and technical support teams.
5. Who is your greatest inspiration?
Acclaimed American poet, storyteller, and activist Maya Angelou. She rose above the hardship and horror she suffered as a child to become a recognised, respected, and powerful voice.
Meet Nick
1. Who are you, and what’s your position at Global Women?
Nick Everitt, Member and Partner Coordinator
2. When and why will Global Members be hearing from you?
I will be involved in a wide range of activities including the nomination process, member queries, impact groups, member events, and partner projects. The Global Women Retreat was a fantastic baptism of fire and it was great to meet so many members so soon after starting in my role.
3. Why is diversity and inclusion in leadership important to you?
Perhaps in being a millennial, diversity and inclusion to me is common-sense. I naively believed that workplace norms were progressing along with societal views but was shocked when I saw NZ’s sliding statistics on women in senior executive roles. I don’t want my peers or future generations to encounter the obstacles to success that past generations have been confronted with. Increasing diversity and inclusion in leadership now, will give those moving through the workforce the positive affirmation that will spur better business and a better Aotearoa.
4. Tell us a little about what you were up to before joining Global Women.
I recently returned from 5 years in the UK where I was working as the Membership Development Manager for the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers. My background is in membership processes, professional standards, coordination, and training.
5. Who is your greatest inspiration?
I am inspired by those that put challenging ideas into action.