Panel Discussion

2

CPD

The high-performing board: Lifting performance through effective leadership

Explore what makes a board high-performing, with practical insights from experienced directors.

Speaker(s)
Venus Guy, Lees Seymour, Tracy Johnston
Date
5:30pm — 7:30pm, 21 July 2025
Venue
Findex Nelson
Location
Level 1 -15 Bridge Street, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
Price members
$25.00 incl GST
Price non-members
$45.00 incl GST

Overview

High-performing boards are equipped to navigate complexity, support the CEO, and foster strategic alignment while maintaining effective governance and a strong board culture. With increasing expectations on boards and their leaders, clarity, cohesion and diverse thinking are more important than ever. 
 
Join us in Nelson for a panel discussion on what drives board performance in today’s environment. We’ll explore how to build alignment between the board and committees, enable effective succession and leadership development, and ensure diverse perspectives are effectively harnessed. 
 
The session will be facilitated by Venus Guy CMInstD, Chair of the IoD Nelson Marlborough committee, and will feature Lees Seymour MInstD, and committee member Tracy Johnston MInstD. 
 
This event is proudly supported by local branch sponsor Findex Nelson 

Venus Guy 

CMInstD 

Venus has been living in Nelson for over a decade and calls Te Tauihu her home. Venus brings governance, management, leadership, strategic and business planning skills to the table. Her experience spans key sectors of business, retail (FMCG), Health & Safety, compliance, legal and education.  Her substantial commercial experience comes from FMCG where she has spent 12 years in a large retail business. Venus has also worked in the public sector, leading the General Elections 2023 as an Electorate Manager of Nelson Electorate. She is currently serving as a President of Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, and as a trustee to the New Zealand Kindergartens and Sport Tasman.

Lees Seymour 

MInstD 

Lees Seymour, of Ngāti Hikairo affiliation (Kāwhia Moana – West of Hamilton), has a strong commercial background, having spent the last 20 years in senior roles leading significant forestry organisations. Since 2020, Lees has focused on his consultancy business and continues to consult to Government and a range of local and globally based forest and wood product organisations. Lees is a qualified forester with an MBA from Massey University and further business qualifications from the Insead Business School in France. Lees has extensive board experience including chairing the New Zealand Forest Industries Council, and as a board member of a number of forest industry organisations and director at Wakatū Incorporation.

Tracy Johnston 

MInstD 

Tracy Johnston is an experienced independent director, organisational leader and qualified marketer.  With a 30-year career in the visitor industry, she has held leadership roles in destination management and marketing across New Zealand and offshore. Based in Marlborough, Tracy is a senior consultant with international tourism consultancy TRC Tourism and lives on a Pinot Noir vineyard with her husband. 
 
Tracy brings strong governance experience and networks across tourism, wine, vocational education and emergency management. She currently serves on the New Zealand Winegrowers Board and is Deputy Chair of both Wine Marlborough and the Fire and Emergency Marlborough Local Advisory Committee. 
 
A passionate contributor to her community, Tracy is also a proud Good Bitch Baker for GBB NZ and organises an annual fabric destash fundraiser for Hospice Marlborough. 

Additional information

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.

Branch event cancellation policy

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.

Contact

Melanie Powick
Nelson Marlborough Branch

+64 27 444 9711
melanie.powick@iod.org.nz

Our sponsors

The Nelson Marlborough Branch acknowledges the generous support of

A S B
 

Book this event

  • Nelson

    date
    21 Jul 2025

    Members — $25.00

    Non-members — $45.00

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