Please tell us about yourself
What made you want to be apart of SIU?
How will you ensure that the networking group remains a safe and inclusive space for women to discuss and seek support for personal challenges they may face?
What do you love about networking? Most especially with like-minded women?
Born and raised in Murihiku Southland - Bluff oysters and whitebait for life! I had an entrepreneur dad and a feminist mother who worked hard and was a committed agent for social change, But Invercargill wasn't it for me.
I left the country at 16 for a year as an exchange student in Germany which changed my life.
Back home with new confidence in myself and my abilities I fell in love with the world of radio which prompted a career in journalism, and I fulfilled my dream of editing the NZ Woman's Weekly through my 30s and 40s.
Now, I live in Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke's Bay where I've founded a busy boutique PR practice. I'm a parent first, a wife, and a dog mum!
HAWKES BAY LEADER
I've worked for big businesses throughout my career as a journalist and communicator, leading teams and with profit and progress always front of mind.
But since starting my own business in 2018, I've needed to lean into other skills, and the learning curve has been huge.
One of the things I missed was the safety of other women to confide in and how in a team, your thinking is challenged and questioned.
So I went looking for a group of become a part of and found SIU!
I'm an open book, and a connector at heart, so members can always discuss any challenge with me and I'll help them find the right pathway to get them through their blip.
By the same token, I too face crises and pain points and rely on the friendship and support of my group to help me manage those. One thing I don't tolerate is discrimination, bad-mouthing or bigotry so will always intercept anything of that nature
The warmth and sisterhood that grows from group meetings is palpable. Long lasting friendships have already been formed and we're only a year in! Obviously, the business connections and support are wonderful too.
