Welcome to Our New Global Women Members for March 2026!

March 24, 2026

Welcoming our new members for March 2026 – a remarkable group of wāhine driving advancement, breaking barriers, and leading change across sectors, disciplines, and communities. We are proud to introduce them into the Global Women whānau. Each is a catalyst for impact and influence, contributing thought leadership, innovation, and a shared commitment to accelerating prosperity and transforming the future of Aotearoa.

Anne McLeod

Anne McLeod is a senior corporate and commercial lawyer and partner at Anderson Lloyd, where she has held multiple governance and leadership roles, including long-standing board service. She also serves as a director of Port Otago Limited. Anne advises on acquisitions, capital raisings, and governance, and contributes to strategic direction across legal and business sectors.

Shona McCullagh MNZM

Shona McCullagh MNZM is a visionary cultural leader and artistic director with over four decades of experience shaping New Zealand’s performing arts landscape. Formerly Artistic Director of Auckland Arts Festival and co-founder of The New Zealand Dance Company, she has led major national and international programmes, championed women artists, and driven innovation in arts governance and creative exchange.

Kelley Toy

Kelley Toy is Head of Marketing and Communications for Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ, leading innovative behaviour change campaigns that drive positive outcomes for New Zealanders. An award-winning marketer, she has transformed public sector initiatives, including campaigns increasing female rangatahi physical activity and supporting diversity in Fire and Emergency NZ, while championing female leadership and equity across sport and communities.

Jenny Rudd

Jenny Rudd is the founder and CEO of Dispute Buddy, a venture-backed legal technology company operating across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the US, and co-founder of The Gender Investment Gap, an initiative improving transparency in venture capital. She is a systems-change leader driving gender equity, supporting women founders, and reshaping access to justice through technology.

Megan Gibbons

Associate Professor Megan Gibbons is Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health Sciences at the University of Otago, leading the country’s largest academic division. Formerly Deputy Chief Executive at Te Pūkenga and CEO of Otago Polytechnic, she is a respected leader in tertiary and health sectors, advancing Te Tiriti-led strategies, Māori research engagement, and equity in education while mentoring emerging leaders.

Sophie Coker

Sophie Coker is an Associate Director at Macquarie Capital, leading equity raisings, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic advisory for listed and private organisations. With over 15 years in finance, she is one of New Zealand’s longest-standing female investment bankers. She also serves as an Independent Director at The Lines Company, championing governance excellence and supporting women’s careers in finance.

Natalia Cleland is Manahautu (Chief Executive) of Downtown Community Ministries, leading frontline and systems-level responses to homelessness in Wellington. With a background in social work, she champions outreach-based support for marginalised communities and advocates for sustainable solutions. Her leadership brings national visibility to homelessness while advancing collaborative, data-informed approaches to social change.

Marika is a commercial litigation partner at Russell McVeagh, leading the firm’s Insurance Disputes practice and acting on complex matters across capital markets and major transactions. A former Board of Management member and Co-Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, she champions equitable workplaces while mentoring emerging lawyers and influencing national conversations on governance and dispute resolution.

Louise Theunissen, EY Technology Consulting Partner, leads New Zealand’s Cybersecurity Practice. A global leader with 20+ years’ experience across APAC, Africa, and the Middle East, she champions women in technology through mentorship, STEM initiatives, and leadership forums. Recognised for resilience, inclusion, and impact, Louise drives confidence, connection, and empowerment for future female leaders.

Lucy Porter, CEO of Orchestral, leads the world’s first AI orchestrator purpose-built for healthcare. She drives health system innovation, translating global insights into local solutions, while championing women’s health and flexible, high-performance leadership. Lucy models ambitious, sustainable parenthood and builds gender-balanced teams, creating lasting impact across technology, health, and leadership in Aotearoa.

Louisa Kraitzick

Louisa Kraitzick, Partner and co-owner at Pead, leads high-stakes corporate communications and reputation work with strategic clarity and empathy. She champions women’s leadership, advocates for working parents, and drives inclusion and accessibility across organisations. Through governance, mentorship, and cross-sector engagement, Louisa amplifies diverse voices and strengthens leadership impact in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Jane Judd

Jane Judd is a leadership coach and organisational change expert with global influence as former Global President of the Change Management Institute. She champions women in leadership, fosters inclusive workplaces, and equips executives to navigate transformation. Jane combines strategic insight, governance expertise, and practical support to elevate leadership and equity across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Monica P Mulholland

Monica P. Mulholland is a retired investment professional and governance leader with global experience in capital markets, institutional reform, and wealth management. She champions inclusive leadership, women’s economic empowerment, and regional development, notably founding the Power of Positive Women’s Lunch in Queenstown. Monica combines strategic insight, stewardship, and a commitment to enduring impact.

Hannah Stallard

Hannah Stallard is a Barrister and Solicitor with 17 years’ experience in criminal justice, human rights, and international policy. A former senior United Nations official, she has led global efforts against trafficking, cybercrime, and modern slavery. Hannah combines legal expertise, multilateral diplomacy, and mentorship to advance women’s leadership and human rights globally.

Petra Carey

Petra Carey is a Partner at Russell McVeagh and a leading expert in competition, regulatory and public law. With extensive international experience, she advises complex, high-stakes matters, shapes law reform, and actively champions the development and visibility of emerging female leaders across New Zealand’s legal and business sectors.

Claire Beard

Claire Beard is a senior leader in sport, health, and community sectors, currently CEO of Asthma New Zealand. She has transformed national sporting organisations, led system-wide strategies for women and girls, and champions inclusive leadership. Claire mentors and advocates for women, embedding equity into governance, professional pathways, and organisational culture.

Megan Main

Megan Main is Chief Executive of ACC and former Head of the Managed Isolation and Quarantine system. An engineer-turned-public-sector leader, she drives system transformation, performance improvement, and equity initiatives. Megan advocates for women through executive sponsorship of networks, mentoring, and public speaking, promoting diversity, inclusion, and leadership development across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Nicola Dennison

Nicola Dennison is Chief Marketing & Product Officer at Webjet Group New Zealand, with 20+ years’ experience driving commercial growth, customer insight, and organisational culture. She develops high-performing teams, mentors women into leadership, and champions inclusive, values-led leadership, ensuring diverse voices shape strategy, decision-making, and economic, social, and cultural outcomes in Aotearoa.

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