Media Release: 19 July 2016
A leadership change at Global Women paves the way for continued national growth in accelerating our country toward the new normal of diversity and inclusion in New Zealand businesses.
Newly appointed CEO Miranda Burdon will take the Global Women reins from 25 July to build on the strength of foundations laid by founding CEO Faye Langdon.
Global Women Chair Sue Sheldon says the Board is sorry to lose Faye who has positioned the organisation exceptionally well during her six years in the lead role, however the Board is delighted to appoint Miranda who will continue to build on the progress Global Women has made to date.
“Miranda Burdon has an outstanding career background with general management know-how across various high profile New Zealand businesses and more than 17 years of governance experience,” says Sue.
Miranda’s most recent role was as General Manager of Global Marketing for Pernod Ricard NZ and she currently sits on the boards of Lotto NZ and Meadow Mushrooms Ltd.
Sue continues: “During the interview process, Miranda impressed the board with her social motivation and appreciation for amplifying the diversity and inclusion agenda in corporate New Zealand.
“As a network-driven organisation with more than 240 influential members and 45 top New Zealand corporate partners, we (Global Women) work to harness the influence of the collective voice as a launch-pad for action and change.
“It was essential we hired an impactful voice to ensure this continued collaboration as we work towards the new normal of diversity in business.”
Established in 2009, Global Women is seen as a catalyst to transforming the leadership landscape of women in New Zealand and a champion of diversity and its positive impact on business performance.
Sue says: “Outgoing CEO Faye Langdon has done a phenomenal job at mobilising our members and top corporates to achieve this change.
“Particular highlights under Faye’s leadership include the growth of Global Women membership to more than 240 high-calibre members; the formation and advancement of our hero leadership development programmes, Breakthrough Leaders and Activation Series; the introduction of the Maori and Pasifika Pathways Programme, TupuToa; and the most recent positive progress on launching Champions for Change.”
Champions for Change brings together 50 New Zealand Champions – Chief Executive Officers and Chairs of significant New Zealand organisations – to achieve a common vision of a new generation of diverse leaders driving New Zealand’s future economic growth and social prosperity.
Miranda is looking forward to continuing work on each of these hero projects and says the power of collective thought and action is one of the things that attracted her to the role.
Miranda studied at Harvard University (USA) as the recipient of the Trade New Zealand Export Award in 1999 and is a current member of the Institute of Directors.