Welcome to our newest Global Women members! We are delighted to celebrate our June nominations. Recognising an outstanding group of wāhine who continue to lead with purpose and drive meaningful change across Aotearoa. Each of these women contribute in their organisations and communities a powerful perspective, bold ideas, and a commitment to making lasting change.
We are so pleased to welcome them into the Global Women whānau. These leaders reflect the strength and impact of the Global Women community – breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and inspiring those around them.
Professor Louise Parr‑Brownlie MNZM
Professor Louise Parr‑Brownlie is a leading New Zealand neuroscientist and Professor in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, at the University of Otago. Her leadership spans academic research, national science governance, government advisory roles, and Māori partnership within the research system. Professor Parr‑Brownlie is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Te Arawa iwi.
Olivia Poulsen
Olivia Poulsen is a senior leader in Aotearoa New Zealand’s property and infrastructure sector, with a career spanning urban development, public infrastructure, māori investment and housing delivery. She is currently Chief Executive of Haumaru Housing, where she leads the organisation’s strategic direction and performance.
Agnes De Calbiac
Agnès’ leadership has been shaped by a career spent guiding organisations through complexity, transformation, and uncertainty, always with a commitment to empathy, clarity, and purpose. She believes leadership is fundamentally about creating environments where people can thrive, where decisions are grounded in values, and where uncertainty becomes an opportunity for growth rather than fear.
Jane Vesty
Jane Vesty is a leader of enduring distinction – nearly four decades in the discipline of strategic business communications, and originally in the performing arts. Her leadership is characterised by fearless directness, deep human intelligence, & an unwavering loyalty to the people she serves. As co-founder and partner of SweeneyVesty, Jane has built one of the Asia Pacific region’s most respected independent communications consultancies over 37 years.
Kathryn Scordino 
Kathryn is a passionate advocate for diversity in the leadership pipeline. She has had a long term focus on empowering women to lead in their own authentic voice, both inside corporate organisations and now in her coaching and leadership business. Kathryn has more than 25 years’ strategic leadership experience in large multinationals across the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific region, including banking, retail and telecoms.
Zoe Dryden
Zoe is an independent director, leadership coach, & business leader with more than 25 years’ experience across commercial enterprise, tourism, logistics, iwi organisations, governance, & leadership development. Her governance experience includes roles with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Investments and Holdings, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, & Māara Moana. Much of her work has sat in environments where commercial performance, people, community, & long-term stewardship all need to work together.
Kym Niblock
Kym Niblock is a highly accomplished digital, technology, and media executive with more than three decades of experience leading transformation across some of the world’s most recognised media, broadcasting, and telecommunications organisations. Currently serving as Chief Digital and Technology Officer and Interim Chief Content Officer at Sky New Zealand, she has built a career defined by innovation, strategic leadership, and an ability to navigate complex industry disruption.
Rez Gardi
Rez is an international human rights lawyer and global refugee advocate whose leadership is grounded in lived experience, resilience, & a deep commitment to justice. Her legal career spans work as a solicitor in commercial litigation, a Legal Officer at the NZ Human Rights Commission, and as a Harvard Human Rights Fellow working on cases related to accountability for crimes against the Yazidi community in Iraq.
Justine Gilliland
Justine Gilliland is a highly respected executive, strategist, and professional director with more than two decades of experience leading complex organisations across the public, private, research, health, energy, and regional development sectors. Her career has been defined by a commitment to long-term system change, stakeholder engagement, and the development of resilient communities, industries, and institutions.
Fiona Cooper
Fiona is the Executive Director of the New Zealand United States Council, a role she rejoined in March 2024, having previously led the organisation from 2014 to 2018. She brings more than three decades of experience across both the public & private sectors, spanning diplomacy, trade policy, and international business. Her leadership experience extends across major organisations including Fonterra, BNZ, the NZ International Business Forum, and the ANZ Leadership Forum.
Angela Hassan-Sharp
Angela serves as NZ’s Ambassador to Ireland, representing Aotearoa in diplomatic, political, & economic engagement & strengthening bilateral relationships. She brings extensive experience in international diplomacy & public service, with roles within NZ’s foreign affairs system & international postings. Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of global policy, trade, & diplomatic relations from decades of experience across government, international engagement, & strategic partnerships.
Anna Cameron
Anna Cameron is Director of Artistic Operations and Deputy CEO at Auckland Theatre Company, where she plays a key role in overseeing artistic delivery, organisational performance, and strategic direction. She brings more than 30 years of experience in the arts and creative industries, with a strong track record in executive leadership, organisational development, and delivery of large-scale cultural projects.
Jennifer Te Atamira Ward‑Lealand CNZM
Jennifer Te Atamira Ward‑Lealand is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most respected performing arts leaders, with a career spanning more than 40 years across theatre, film, and television. She has built a multi-faceted leadership career as an actor, director, teacher, and industry advocate, alongside serving as President of Equity New Zealand, the professional union representing performers.
Hon Judith Collins KC
Hon Judith Collins is one of New Zealand’s most experienced political leaders, with more than two decades of service in Parliament, first elected in 2002. She has held a wide range of senior ministerial roles across successive governments, including Attorney-General and Minister of Defence, alongside portfolios spanning national security, public service, science and innovation, and digital government.
Major General Rose King
Since 2024, Major General King has commanded New Zealand’s Army. Major General King was seconded to MBIE as the Director of Operations, Managed Isolation and Quarantine to joint lead NZ’s COVID MIQ response, prior to being appointed Deputy Chief of Army in June 2021. As a senior officer, she filled appointments as the Director Reserves and Youth Development, Director of Strategic Commitments, & Chief of Staff Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand.
Swathi Parikh 
Swathi is a Partner in PwC New Zealand’s Corporate Finance team, leading M&A, valuations and strategic advisory work. She moved to NZ eight years ago after nine years with Standard Chartered Bank in India – so she’s built a career across markets, cultures and both sides of the deal table. She works with boards, investors and business owners across a variety of sectors including healthcare, financial services and technology.
Emma Thompson
A Partner in PwC NZ’s Private team, Emma advises high-growth businesses across accounting, tax & business advisory. She brings a grounded, practical perspective, and works closely with business owners on financial reporting, tax, management reporting, finance function optimisation & virtual CFO support. She has a strong focus on helping clients adopt technology & AI to improve decision-making, lift efficiency, & support sustainable growth.
Angela Gatward
A partner at PwC New Zealand, Angela leads the specialist SPA Advisory team. 4 years as a partner and 8.5 years of international experience brings a technically sophisticated perspective to the M&A sector. She founded the SPA Advisory team from the ground up, which is now regarded as a successful & sustainable new business within PwC NZ. She is focused on driving collaboration & value by connecting teams and clients.