2023 mentees
Congratulations to our 2023 mentees
Barb Long
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Mentoring for Diversity programme and to further develop my governance skills and competencies.
As a CEO who is employed by a board, a presiding member of a school board and a trustee on a community trust I am excited about the opportunity to work with a mentor who can assist me to define the next steps in my governance journey at the same time as challenging me to develop myself further.
Being based in the South Island I am also looking forward to being able to network with other mentees and learn from their experiences and the roles they have.
As a passionate community champion, I look forward to learning more, enabling me to provide service that ensures everyone can achieve their full potential.
Bridget Giesen (Ngāi Tahu)
I'm incredibly grateful to be accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity programme. I'm excited to be supported and to be able to grow my governance skills at this point in my governance journey. It is a great opportunity to build skills I have developed on associate programmes with Ngai Tahu and Pamu and also at the IoD course. As I now step into director roles, I look forward to the experience of working first-hand with an experienced director and know this will extend my thinking. I will greatly benefit from the wisdom and perspectives of a more experienced director as I continue to develop my own capability and governance approach. I think it will be an amazing opportunity to connect with a group of talented directors to learn and grow together. I am purpose-driven and I bring this view alongside critical thinking, challenging the status quo and commercial rigour with the goal of leaving things in a better place. I know that the MfD programme will be a great support for my kaupapa.
Clare Swallow
I am delighted to have been accepted into the IoD’s 2023 Mentoring for Diversity programme. I believe in order to make sense of the rapidly changing world we have to have a diversity of experience and representation around the board table and I am excited to be part of a programme that seeks to drive this. I’m looking forward to learning from the rest of this group as well as being mentored by an experienced director who can provide insights, challenge and guidance as I continue to develop my governance skills and career in this space.
Danielle Auld
I am very excited to have been accepted onto the programme. For me, governance happened a bit by accident when I bought into a business. Over the last 5 years since then, I have learned a lot, taken on other governance roles and found a real passion for it. This programme is an opportunity to grow and learn from an experienced mentor; to discover my own style, and better understand what I can bring to an organisation beyond what’s written on my CV, as well as ensuring I can still retain a balance in my life.
Emma Gardiner
Ngā Ruahine Rangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāi te Rangi
Ngā mihi ki ngā mātanga kua whai wā ki te tautoko i a mātou - It is important to thank our mentors who have donated their time and expertise to support our governance development in this programme.
I’ve been fortunate to watch, learn, serve and walk beside many great leaders in my mahi, and this has contributed to my success to date – ka nui te mihi ki a koutou. This programme gives me an opportunity to build on the guidance I’ve received, and to look critically and purposefully at my governance development moving forward. My experience to date has been in executive leadership in Māori economic development (with a focus on impact and direct investments), and governance in the non-for-profit sector.
Ngā mihi hoki ki ōku hoa e whai hoki ana i tēnei ara whakangungu – I look forward to meeting and learning from my fellow mentees as well.
Grant Cleland
Kia ora koutou, I am excited to have been chosen to be part of the IoD Mentoring for Diversity Programme.
I have over 30 years’ of experience specialising in the provision of national, regional and local services for disabled people. As a disabled person born with a physical impairment, I use a wheelchair for mobility and bring both lived and professional experience to my governance and leadership roles. For nine and a half years I was the Chief Executive of Workbridge and in terms of my governance roles, I have chaired or been part of a range of groups and organisations within the disability, health and equity sectors.
In 2021 I was appointed by the Minister of Education to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Board. This is my first statutory appointment to a board and I am keen to be part of other boards in the statutory, NGO and business sectors.
This appointment has made me realise that my leadership and governance skills and experience in the disability, health and equity areas are transferable to other more generic boards. I have therefore applied for this diversity programme to continue to develop my governance skills and hopefully increase the opportunity for other board member appointments.
Jenn Chowaniec
I’m delighted to be accepted onto the 2023 Mentoring for Diversity programme. This opportunity enables me to specifically focus on developing my governance skills and experiences and to reflect on my current governance practice — helping me towards developing a more rounded governance contribution appropriate across charitable, for purpose and commercial organisations.
Jo Boerama-Barr
I am thrilled to be part of the IoD's Mentoring for Diversity program, as it offers a unique opportunity to enhance my skills as a governance professional. The chance to collaborate directly with an experienced director is truly invaluable, and I am excited to network with a talented cohort of upcoming directors. I am eager to share my unique perspective with the program and continue to develop my governance expertise. By doing so, I aim to drive value and make a meaningful impact on future boards and organisations.
Julian Smith
As an independent director with a diverse executive background, I am acutely aware that great leadership and governance matter now more than ever.
I strongly believe in cultivating inclusive governance environments that embrace a diversity of thought and backgrounds, recognising them as crucial assets for boards to navigate the complexities of our challenging world.
As a gay man, I have witnessed the transformational power of diversity, both in business and in life. It’s an honour for me to be part of the Mentoring for Diversity program, as it offers a valuable platform for growth and learning. I look forward to being challenged, broadening my perspectives, and enhancing my governance capability.
Karen Rolleston
I am deeply grateful for this remarkable opportunity and look forward to the personal and professional growth that awaits me. Not only does this program offer the chance to learn from a seasoned director, but it also presents an exciting opportunity to connect with a cohort of talented directors. Together, we will embark on a collective learning journey, exchanging fresh perspectives and acquiring new skills that will undoubtedly enrich our professional lives. I am eagerly looking forward to the knowledge-sharing and collaboration that will take place within this cohort.
Karun Shenoy
I am delighted to be part of the IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme for 2023. My governance experience, which has thus far been in not-for-profit and NGO organisations, has certainly demonstrated to me that cognitive diversity around the board table is critical.
I am very appreciative of the opportunity to learn from an experienced director, insights based on their real-world experience, war stories and practical approaches developed from governing large, listed companies.
I am also looking forward to networking and learning from the cohort of peer directors in the programme who will no doubt bring diverse perspectives.
Kathryn Jones
Being selected for this year’s intake for the Mentoring for Diversity programme is an exciting opportunity for me to develop my governance skills, particularly in the private sector within New Zealand. The chance to be mentored and learn directly from an experienced director will be invaluable as I broaden and develop my governance capability. Having a background of executive and governance roles in the private and non-profit health and disability sector, the mentoring will challenge me to reflect on my strengths and unique value as a director going forward. This opportunity is highly motivating, thank you IoD!
Pauras Rege
I am delighted and honoured to have been selected to participate in the IoD's Mentoring for Diversity program in 2023. This opportunity will allow me to broaden my governance skills and improve my leadership abilities, which will equip me to better serve on the boards of larger organisations in Aotearoa in the future. As I progress in my governance career, every aspect of the program will be invaluable, as it will enhance my ability to lead, support, and make meaningful contributions to the organisations that I am affiliated with and deeply care about. I feel privileged to receive guidance from an experienced mentor and to learn from their expertise and proficiency. I am eager to begin this journey and excited to see what the upcoming year has in store.
Rebekah Swan
I'm very grateful for this Mentoring for Diversity opportunity. I have a strong interest in governance and I am deeply passionate about inequality, climate change, strategy, ESG, and making the world a better place. I'm looking forward to extending my executive director experience and learning from my fellow program cohort and Mentor. I'm thrilled to be accepted. Thank you!
Sarah Graydon
My current governance roles are primarily in the finance area, with some previous experience in health and education. I want to explore opportunities to contribute more broadly and I see this mentoring programme as an excellent chance to do so. I am really looking forward to connecting with some great people on the programme and working with an experienced mentor who can guide, support and challenge me as I look to further develop my governance skills and knowledge.
Sarah Rusholme
I am delighted to have been accepted into the 2023 Institute of Directors’ Mentoring for Diversity Programme. This is an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and deepen my governance capability.
I look forward to learning from my mentor, as well as the talented 2023 cohort: all equally passionate about making an impact for the organisations they serve. I hope to gain insights into my areas of strength and my gaps, so I can become a more effective governor and leader - leveraging my skills as a CE and director in the not-for-profit sector by identifying possibilities to add value to more complex, commercial boards.