Future-focused leadership, grounded in whakapapa
As part of our Member Interview Series, Global Women member and author Jenni Prisk sat down with Tanya Pitchforth, a globally experienced and future-focused executive with over 20 years leading sales, marketing, innovation, and business development across New Zealand, Australia, and Europe.
Currently Director and Chief Operating Officer of Business Apothecary in Sydney, and recently appointed Chief Commercial Officer of McPhersons, Tanya has driven transformative growth with a strong emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, and purposeful innovation — especially in nutrition and women’s health.
Here’s a snapshot of Tanya’s journey so far:
- Born and raised in Eastbourne, Wellington, with two brothers
- Has lived in Paris (beside the Eiffel Tower!) and Amsterdam
- Holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) and a B.Com. from the University of Otago
- Married with two children
- Currently based in Sydney
Jenni asked Tanya to reflect on how her Aotearoa roots shape her global leadership — and what she believes wāhine leaders here can learn from her experiences abroad.
How has being a wāhine leader from Aotearoa shaped the way you show up and lead in a global context?
“As a wāhine leader from Aotearoa, I lead with innovation, groundedness and an unwavering connection to land, people and purpose. These are my values.
Aotearoa NZ has taught me to approach challenges with creativity and adaptability. We come from this place where solutions are sourced through resourcefulness, not abundance, therefore responding with agility is part of our cultural DNA. In fast moving environments, that’s how I like to show up, and lead.Innovation means nothing without grounding, and my connection to my whenua keeps me centred. I carry the stories, struggles and aspirations of those who came before me. That ancestral thread is with me in every room I enter. It reminds me that I’m not here by accident, and that I have a responsibility to honour those who paved the way — and to create space for those who come next. This is also why Global Women means so much to me.My leadership stems from whānau and decisions are never just about individual success; they are about lifting the collective and strengthening the community. I don’t lead for visibility, but for impact, with a fierce commitment to others. At the heart of it all is pride in my identity and in my culture and the unique worldview these allow me to bring. The fabric of my heritage shows up in global spaces, which is rare, and I am honoured to carry it with intention, making the future more whole.”
What’s one insight or approach you’ve seen overseas that you think Aotearoa could benefit from — particularly in advancing gender equity or inclusive leadership?
“One of the many powerful insights I’ve gained from working internationally, especially alongside European leaders, is the strength that comes from confident, values-based leadership.In many of the contexts in which I work, I see numerous wāhine stepping into visibility (while many others are underrepresented.) They are encouraged to speak with authority and with assurance — not out of ego, but from a deep understanding of their value. That kind of confidence isn’t seen as threatening — it’s expected and respected.I’ve also been influenced by the pragmatism of the Dutch culture. There’s a refreshing bias on action over perfection and a belief that process comes from embedding culture structurally, not just aspirationally. Inclusion is built into how things get done, and that mindset drives practical, lasting change.In Aotearoa, we deeply value humility and collective contributions, and rightly so. Sometimes that strength can come with tension and there’s often a subtle discomfort with standing out or being visibly ambitious, especially if it’s seen to disrupt the cultural norm of staying modest. As a result, many leaders, particularly wāhine, feel they have to downplay their achievements or lead quietly even when bold leadership is needed.I believe we can evolve this. By holding fast to our values and our care for the collective and making space for leaders to stand tall with pride, we can create a greater leadership culture — one where confidence is not mistaken for arrogance and success is shared, not silenced.”
In moments of challenge or change abroad, what kaupapa or value from Aotearoa do you find yourself returning to most often, and why?
“In moments of challenge or change, I always return to the values that are deeply rooted in how we live and lead in Aotearoa NZ: family, respect, and empathy, often imbued with a decent dose of Kiwi humour!Whether it’s the whānau chats to celebrate an abundance of feijoas, marathon phone calls with my girlfriends across time zones — these all keep me grounded wherever I am. That also means success means very little if it’s not shared, or talked about, or when I’m teased (by my brothers!)Respect is another anchor, not just formal hierarchical respect, but a way of genuinely treating everyone with dignity and curiosity.I was across the table from a former All Black captain in Paris in a serious setting about negotiation and over a sandwich we shared a kōrero about our lecturers at the University of Otago. That turned out to be the best part of the meeting because it was about being rational and sharing real empathy; that has helped me to lead across cultures. It’s what you listen to between the lines that makes space for others.I remember watching my Czech friend try Marmite for the first time; I told her it was a rite of passage! She liked it. But it wasn’t about our Kiwi classic, it opened the door to culture and memory and all the tiny things that make us who we are. That moment meant more than any formal cultural training.And then there’s our inimitable Kiwi humour! There was a time when I misread a French discussion about Apple’s Trillion $$ valuation in an IPO, and I thought it was a very passionate debate about apple pie! That kind of misunderstanding, while hilarious in hindsight, reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to look for the moments that bring us back to earth.One of the most beautiful things about kaupapa is how our whānau expands when we live and lead globally. I’ve been lucky to find deep inspirational friendships across cultures. Friends from France have become like family because they appreciate my sense of humour and share the importance of family. When that happens across the globe, it feels like home.It reminds me that our values travel with us and often call others in. So, when the ground shifts in global work, I lean into those Aotearoa values: respect, family and humour. They remind me who I am and allow me to lead with heart even when far from home.”
Tanya’s Closing Reflections:
“I want to pay tribute to the women whose shoulders I stand on. They have influenced me since I was a girl in New Zealand.I invite Kiwi women to explore their world, because it’s powerful for them and for the NZ ecosystem.Whakapapa is a compass, a rootedness wherever we sit in the world today. And our world today is physically confronting. The whakapapa can ground our decision-making, legacy, and our future impact.”
Ngā mihi nui, Tanya — for your erudite leadership, global perspective and inclusive practice.