Panel Discussion
2
CPD
Seasoned directors share candid insights from the realities, setbacks, opportunities, and lessons that shaped their journeys.
Building a governance career is rarely straightforward.
At this First Break event, our panel will share candid insights into how governance portfolios are genuinely built in New Zealand, including the realities, setbacks, opportunities, and lessons that shaped their own journeys.
The discussion will explore:
Designed for early-stage directors or experienced executives looking to transition into governance, this session aims to provide practical insights, honest reflections, and differing perspectives on the evolving pathways into governance.
Following the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to continue conversations over networking drinks and canapés with panelists, senior directors, and Auckland Branch Committee members.
CFInstD
Kirsty is a professional director and commercial adviser who has held a range of roles in corporate finance, banking, law and regulation.
She is chair of Toitū Envirocare and an independent director of Mercer NZ and NZHL. She also serves as a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal and sits on several advisory boards. Her previous governance roles include Salt Funds, Public Trust, Ando Insurance, Montana Catering Group, New Plymouth PIF Guardians and Simplicity NZ. Earlier in her career, she was Head of Supervision at the Financial Markets Authority and a senior manager at ANZ.
Kirsty is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a certified member of INFINZ and a member of Global Women.
Michelle oversees end-to-end director search and recruitment, Director Vacancies, Director CV reviews and facilitated workshops. With more than 20 years’ experience in executive search and talent acquisition, she brings deep expertise in board recruitment across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Michelle has partnered with NZX-listed companies, Crown entities, local government, and community organisations to deliver strategic appointments that strengthen governance capability and diversity.
Known for her discretion, strategic insight, and commercial acumen, she has supported major national initiatives including Three Waters Reform, the National Transition Unit within the Department of Internal Affairs, the Department of Corrections’ electronic monitoring programme, and Waka Kotahi’s organisational transformation. Clients value Michelle’s collaborative, relationship-led approach and her ability to cut through the noise to identify exceptional talent. She has an innate instinct for recognising the “gold” often identifying candidates who may appear left field, but whose capability, perspective, and values align precisely with a board’s strategic direction, resulting in appointments that deliver meaningful and lasting governance impact.
CFInstD
Tony has a broad range of experience in governance across the consumer, industrial services, infrastructure, and energy sectors. Tony moved into governance following a successful executive career, where he served as Chief Executive and Managing Director at Foodstuffs – New Zealand’s largest retail organisation – for 10 years.
Tony is currently Chairman of Datacom, The Skin Institute, The Interiors Group, My Food Bag,and TR Group and sits on the respective boards of Ravensdown, Sanford and The Warehouse Group. He was formerly Chair of Air New Zealand for six years, Chair of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for eight years and a director of Fletcher Building, ANZ Bank New Zealand and Vector. He was Chairman of the New Zealand Institute when it merged with the New Zealand Business Roundtable to form the New Zealand Initiative in 2012, of which he served as inaugural Co-Chairman until 2013.
Tony graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Engineering with honours, before completing a Master of Philosophy degree at Loughborough University of Technology in the United Kingdom. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business governance in 2020.
MInstD
Suneil Connor is the Group Chief Financial Officer of Service Foods. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, Chair of New Zealand Food Network, and a director of KiwiHarvest. Suneil recently completed a nine-year term as a trustee of Auckland Foundation, where he also served on the Investment Advisory Committee and the Tindall Foundation Grassroots Giving Panel for Central and South Auckland. Suneil is also a committee member of Mission Bay / Kohimarama Residents Association.
He has chaired the Audit & Risk Committees for KiwiHarvest, New Zealand Food Network, and Auckland Foundation. Suneil joined the Auckland Branch Committee of the Institute of Directors in February 2018 and has been a judge for the Emerging Director Award since 2019.
Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.
By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.
Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.
George Gabriel
Auckland Branch Executive
+64 221 302 594
+64 4 470 2670
George.Gabriel@iod.org.nz
The Auckland branch acknowledges the generous support of
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Members — $0.00
Non-members — $75.00
