Our thoughts are with our members and their organisations impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Boards have a key role to play in the wake of any crisis. See guidance for chairs and directors. 

Our thoughts are with our members and their organisations impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. Boards have a key role to play in the wake of any crisis. See guidance for chairs and directors. 

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2022 mentees

Congratulations to our 2022 mentees

Andrea Dickens

I am motivated to make a difference in everything I do. In my current role as Managing Director of a large professional services firm, I strive to strengthen commercial outcomes for shareholders, improve employee engagement, and support clients to grow their businesses. Pursuing a governance career is my goal because of the ability to have impact, while learning about different sectors and businesses. I feel very fortunate and grateful to have been given the opportunity to accelerate my governance capability by learning directly from an experienced director through the IoD Mentoring for Diversity programme.

Anne Mills

Being accepted into the IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme for 2022 offers an exciting opportunity for me to reflect intentionally and strategically on my governance experience, hone my leadership skills and develop my ‘gaps.’  Networking with others and having the chance to be mentored by an experienced director and to sit alongside them drawing on their wisdom, insight and expertise is an incredible privilege. This opportunity will mean I can better lead, serve and contribute to the organisations I am part of and care so much about.

Anya Satyanand

My governance experience so far has spanned not-for-profit organisations, educational entities, and purpose led businesses. As a recovering teacher, with family links to the Pacific, Asia and Europe, I try to bring rigour, equity, ethics, and vision to board tables that I sit around. As a daughter of Aotearoa (and a parent), I’m also very keen on emerging a future for our young people that is equitable, just and abundant. Interdisciplinary, cross-sector, collaborative ways of working and arranging resources are all key to growing a more hopeful future, and private sector governance has a hugely important role to play in enabling these different approaches. I’m extremely excited to participate as a mentee in Mentoring for Diversity in 2022, and look forward to learning heaps from my mentor.

Becky Lloyd

I am thrilled to be participating in the 2022 Mentoring for Diversity programme. It is a privilege to be able to spend time with an experienced Director who is willing to share their wisdom and insights to help me move forward with my governance career. And it provides an exciting opportunity to meet a cohort of talented Directors and to learn along with them and gain fresh perspectives and new skills. I hope to give as much as I gain as we embark on this programme together.

Debbie Gee

I am extremely excited and deeply grateful to have the privilege of being accepted for the 2022 Institute of Directors’ Mentoring for Diversity Programme.

I am keen to develop and enhance my existing governance skills in pursuit of my ambition to become a non-executive director on a public sector board or a trustee for a large not-for-profit organisation in order to make a difference. My governance experience to date has been in various not-for-profit and community organisations, so this is an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and broaden and deepen my governance knowledge and capability by learning from an experienced mentor. I hope to gain insights – and hence confidence –about my areas of strength, and to identify - and therefore address - my gaps and areas for development.

I am also looking forward to connecting with others in this cohort, as we network, support, learn and grow alongside each other.

Emma Watson

I am delighted and honored to be selected to take part in the 2022 Mentoring for Diversity programme. It is an incredible opportunity to develop and grow my governance capability and be better prepared to serve on boards of larger organisations in Aotearoa.  All facets of the programme will be invaluable at this stage of my governance career; learning from and being challenged by my mentor; workshops and being part of a cohort of peers who are equally passionate about learning and making an impact for the people and organisations that they serve. I am looking forward to the journey and excited about the year ahead. Ngā mihi nui.

Julie Hands

I am incredibly grateful to be have been accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity programme. As a younger, female member of the governance community, I believe strongly in the criticality of diversity of experience and representation around board tables and am proud to be part of a programme which seeks to drive increased diversity in New Zealand's governance landscape.  I am excited to be involved in and to grow my governance skills, particularly in the area of corporate governance. The opportunity to be mentored and learn directly from an experienced director of large, respected organisations is invaluable and I look forward to engaging with the programme over the next 12 months as well as the other mentees. 

Kristin Dunne

Being accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity programme represents an incredible opportunity to learn from a mentor with a wealth of experience and develop my governance capability.  I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the IOD Directors course, with real-world skills, knowledge and guidance from an experienced Mentor.  I am excited to be part of the Mentoring for Diversity cohort and learn and grow with the other successful mentees.  I’m looking forward to gaining more confidence and skills to navigate the challenges in governance, in the year ahead. 

Pania Gray (Ngā Puhi)

Deputy Chair - New Zealand Qualifications Authority; Board Member - New Zealand Film Commission. Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Kei te harikoa taku ngākau mō te kōwhiringa nei. Ngā mihi. 

I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to participate in the 2022/23 intake of the IoD's Mentoring for Diversity Tuakana/Teina programme. 

I am looking forward to extending my thinking on, and approaches to governance in the Aotearoa context through the tuakana/teina conversations, as well as the opportunity to benefit more broadly from the wisdom of an experienced director. I believe the programme also has the potential to round out the skills and knowledge I need to effectively transition into designated governance leadership roles. Aligned to the Māori concept of 'ako' and the essence of the tuakana/teina approach, I hope to also reciprocate and share the benefits of the relationship with my tuakana / mentor.

Patricia Mitchell

I am delighted to have been selected for the 2022 IOD Mentoring for Diversity programme. Having commenced a proactive and purposeful approach to transition to a full-time governance career, the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors of large organisations is an honour and privilege. I am looking forward to the role as mentee, to stretch my learning and experience. I hope this opportunity will enable me to contribute to the governance of large commercial or NZX Listed boards of the future. Nga mihi maioha.

Prue Halstead

In my role as CEO of a regional investment fund, I am lucky to work with senior management teams and boards across a range of businesses operating in the south of the South Island and am now excited to be embarking on my own governance journey.  Being accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity Programme represents an exceptional opportunity to be mentored by an experienced director who can provide pragmatic insights and guidance as I develop my own governance capability and style in current and future governance roles.

 Rachael McDonald

Totally thrilled to be part of the Mentoring for Diversity Programme. I’m really looking forward to working with my mentor and the great people who are part of this programme and learning a lot over the next year.  I am delighted to have this opportunity to improve my governance capability in a New Zealand context and to get involved with the business community here. Longer term I know that gaining insights now from senior leaders and others in the governance space will strengthen my ability to serve well and to help business and community organisations thrive.

Rachel Sanson

"Personally, I am deeply grateful for this Mentoring for Diversity opportunity and fully committed to making the most of it - I can't wait to meet my cohort and mentor! Professionally, I am keenly aware of the privilege of having a seat at decision-making tables at such a pivotal time - in the face of inequity, climate change, biodiversity collapse and global disruption - and conscious of the significant responsibility that comes with this, to guide outcomes that contribute to an inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for people and planet."

Ravi Nyayapati

Being accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity programme is a privilege and an excellent opportunity to further develop my governance capability.  I strongly believe having one-on-one guidance of a senior director is an invaluable step in the path towards governance of a significant sized entity.   I look forward to expanding my skill set by gaining a deeper understanding of governance practices.  I am very excited to be part of the 2022 Cohort and am looking forward to the year ahead.

Sam Fellows

I am excited to have been selected into the programme alongside some incredible people. For me it means that I can improve my governance skills and help the amazing organisations that I work with have even stronger governance and deliver for our communities. I am looking forward to working and growing with my mentor and the other programme participants to collectively raise the level of governance. 

Sarah Hindle

Being relatively early in my governance career, I see the Mentoring for Diversity programme as a fantastic opportunity to supercharge my contribution in the boardroom, build a platform for future governance opportunities and demonstrate a different path to governance.

My personal mission is 'to create a future worth building', and I am looking forward to working alongside a like-minded mentor and the other programme participants to explore ways to create positive impact, apply my unique perspective and grow my skills. I'm grateful for the time and effort given by experienced mentors to support us in our governance roles.

Sina Wendt

I am delighted and grateful to have this opportunity to be on the MfD programme. Working with an experienced director mentor (and others on the programme) will enable me to further develop and deepen my governance knowledge and capabilities, to reflect on my strengths and unique value as a director, and identify possibilities in the governance career pathway to move onto more complex, large scale boards.  

Tammy Chee

Being part of this year’s intake for the Mentoring for Diversity programme is an exciting opportunity for me and I cannot wait to learn and grow my governance skills.  I want to lift and progress my confidence in this space and I hope to bring these new skills to bear in my current (and future) governance roles.  I can’t wait to get going!

Tania Tapsell

Being accepted into the Mentoring for Diversity Programme will be an exciting opportunity to learn first-hand from some of New Zealands best Directors. I’m humbled to be part of a programme that ensures the decisions that define our tomorrow can be made by diverse leaders. I’ve dedicated nine years to serving my local community as a Rotorua Lakes Councillor and this programme gives the opportunity to transfer my skills and passion into the corporate world. I’m looking forward to the learnings, experiences, and networking opportunities that will prepare us to serve as high-performing Directors.

Tui Te Hau

Rongomaiwahine, Te Arawa, Tuwharetoa

Te Whanganui a Tara / Wellington

Thank you for the opportunity to give time and focus to strengthening my governance skills so that I can create greater positive impact for the communities, organisations and people I serve.

Vanisa Dhiru

I’m pleased to be able to broaden and focus on my governance skills by being involved with the Mentoring for Diversity programme. Learning alongside other peers with different diversity markers and gaining support from an experienced mentor will be advantageous for my governance leadership, in roles to come.