Meet our 2023 Leadership Network members
Described by the NZ Herald as the Headmistress of Gen Z, Alexia is the founder of GirlBoss NZ - NZ's largest organisation for young women.
Alton was born in Sabah, Malaysia, and has called New Plymouth his second home for the past 11 years.
Amy Strang is a fleet strategy specialist at Air New Zealand, working on technical and commercial analysis of aircraft.
Anisha Chawla is the CEO of Beyond Tech Media. She is a Google and Facebook/Meta alumni, having worked across Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
Bonnie is the co-founder and head of design of the creative wind sculpture company, Beauty and the Wind.
Chelsea is a second generation Chinese New Zealander who works at the intersections of culture, creativity and community.
Clark is a senior consultant at Deloitte and a former policy advisor to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Daryn is a corporate strategy manager at the Bank of New Zealand where he specialises in strategy, planning and execution
Ethan is a Management Accountant at PGG Wrightson Seeds in Christchurch.
Felix is a doctor at Te Whatu Ora working in Auckland City Hospital.
Born in the hills of Kobe, Japan, and raised in Aotearoa, Fenn is a cross-cultural professional who is passionate about working with diverse teams to achieve ambitious goals.
Gemma is a commercial lawyer who is excited about maximising the opportunities provided by technology, innovation, and globalisation.
Hillary is the driving force behind her family business Zelati and leads her young team with passion.
Jake holds a Bachelor of Chinese Language and Culture, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) from the University of Auckland.
Jamie Lakisa is an uri (descendant) of Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, Whakatōhea, me Samoa
Jess is a passionate senior technologist in Aotearoa’s food and beverage industry and is the Chairwoman for the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology.
Having a background in social impact, community development, relationship management, and youth development, Joshua is passionate about innovative approaches toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Katja Phutaraksa Neef is a climate and social justice advocate.
Leonard is a Singapore-based Leadership Network member with experience in public policy, specialising in political economy and macroeconomics.
Logan Byrne (Ngāti Porou, Kūki 'Āirani) is a foreign policy officer at Manatū Aorere Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Lotima is of Māori descent from the Iwi of Ngāti Porou, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngā Puhi and Tongan descent from the islands of Vava’u and Haʻapai.
Maia Te Hira hails from tribal lands in Wairarapa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne) and Muriwhenua (Te Rarawa, Ngāi Takoto).
Mikhael Sayat is a PhD candidate in physics at the University of Auckland.
Richard is an investment associate at New Zealand Super Fund, aka the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation.
Monique is the Associate Director, International at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
Oscar is a senior policy advisor at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development working on a variety of housing, land use and transport projects.
Pang was the Foundation’s Wilson Parking business intern in 2017, based in Seoul, South Korea.
Peter, originally from South Korea, moved to Aotearoa with his family in 2003.
Born in China and raised in Tāmaki, Rebecca is a film practitioner and works in business affairs at NZ On Air.
Ron is a KOWI (Korean Kiwi) who grew up in Ōtauhtahi.
A data scientist that is proud to be New Zealand-born Chinese, Samuel Yap-Choong loves data and technology driven challenges.
Sean is co-president for the National Disabled Students’ Association and in 2022 was co-president of the Otago Disabled Students’ Association.
From the villages of Lepea and Magiagi, Upolu, Samoa, Seraphine was born and raised at Waitakere, Tamaki Makaurau
Shahin Najak is a Indian-Kiwi, born in the UK, raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and is now based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Shaymaa Arif is a second generation Arab New Zealander. She considers herself a third culture kid, being Iraqi/Syrian, growing up partially in the UAE and partially in Aotearoa.
Shisla is a Brazilian Kiwi who grew up in Brazil and moved to Aotearoa at the age of 13. She is passionate about diversity and sustainability.
Sidney Gig-Jan Wong (he/any) was born in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt). Sidney has familial links to Hong Kong, Macau, and Southern China.
Te Wai Ariki (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) began his Asia journey as assistant national leader for New Zealand's delegation to the Ship for World Youth Leaders in Japan and continued with a Māori business tour in Shanghai.
Thomas (Tom) grew up in Auckland attending Sacred Heart College. He studied economics, international business and Chinese at Otago University.
Ufitia is an Aotearoa-Samoan multidisciplinary creative artist, artistic director and co-founder of Pacific contemporary arts collective TULOU.
Wesley is a former Yenching Scholar who graduated from Peking University’s Yenching Academy with a Masters of Economics under Baidu’s Robin Li scholarship initiative.
Yasir is a Turkish-New Zealander, identifies as a Muslim, and calls Tāmaki Makaurau home. Yasir is currently a senior advisor at the Ministry of Social Development following a successful spell at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.