Canterbury Emerging Directors - 2022 winners announced

The Emerging Director Award was established by the Institute of Directors (IoD) to foster the development of upcoming talent in governance and leadership across business and community sectors. The award recognises executives, managers, directors and individuals who are at the early stages of their governance careers.

The recipients of this year’s award have backgrounds spanning technology, human resources, law and agriculture - Jane Fowles (MInstD), Leandra Fitzgibbon (MInstD), Mariann Matai (CMInstD), Emma Hodgkin (MInstD) and Aaron Smith.

Each winner will receive a range of opportunities that will support their on-going governance development - mentorship with an experienced director, one year membership with the Institute of Directors and complimentary attendance to IoD branch events, $1,500 towards IoD course costs and a one year internship placement with a relevant board.

Jane Fowles will receive an internship with Ashburton Contracting Limited. A passionate H&S/HR practitioner, she has experience in the agriculture sector and has worked across public, tertiary and private business environments.

The panel of judges selected Fowles for her focus on strategic problem solving, commercial capability in business, and her proactive approach to improve health and safety performance.

Chair of Ashburton Contracting Limited, Alister Lilley says they are pleased to welcome Fowles to the ACL board.

“We look forward to Jane joining the discussion and debate at the board table. Her background in human resources and health and safety will undoubtedly bring new and fresh perspectives to ACL.”

Leandra Fitzgibbon is Legal Counsel and Executive Partner with comprehensive commercial, legal and leadership experience. The selection panel recognised Fitzgibbons as an ‘authentic leader’ with an impeccable ability to establish, empower and manage highly functional teams to drive business growth, efficient operations and industry excellence.

Fitzgibbon will be placed with EA Network who have now been part of the IoD Emerging Directors Award programme for the past five years.

“We found Leandra to be a highly intelligent, engaging and commercially capable candidate who is deeply embedded in the Ashburton community, and was very keen to be part of the EA Board as part of this programme,” says Chair of EA Network, Andrew Barlass (MInstD)

Mariann Matai is a leader in the tech sector in Christchurch with a strong social, environmental and community conscience. She is an advocate for the combined strength of autonomous teams to not only create the right solution, but to be adaptable and learn from mistakes.

The panel said Matai showed a genuine interest in moving into bigger governance roles.

Matai will receive a placement with The Christchurch Foundation. Deputy Chair, Paul Deavoll said they are thrilled to have Mariann join their board and are excited to be part of the IoD initiative for the first time – a programme that aligns with their strategic priority to build the capacity, capability and pool of talent in not-for-profit governance.

Emma Hodgkin is an independent consultant in the public and not-for-profit sectors and is passionate about growing leadership and governance capabilities in not-for-profit organisations.  The panel said Hodgkin’s background in organisational leadership, project management and strategy development, along with her consultative leadership style and ability to build strong relationships, will be an asset to any board.

Hodgkin will be placed with Canterbury Scientific and the Board’s Chair John Barr (CFInstD) said Hodgkin will be invited to attend board, board committees, CS Ventures and Scientific Advisory Panel meetings.

“Canterbury Scientific made this commitment to support the development of our local Canterbury governance talent. We believe that we can provide a range of diverse experiences that will enhance Emma’s learning during this period.”

Aaron Smith comes from a background in sales, operations and business unit management across a variety of industries including recent leadership roles in both software, insurance, financial services and innovation with roles in both New Zealand and the UK.

His interest in building and growing capability across large teams towards strong customer-centric service culture and the responsibility of developing and motivating people towards their personal and professional goals struck a chord with the panel and he will receive a placement with MainPower.

Chair of MainPower, Tony King said, "We have been talking about having an emerging director on our board for some time.  On our board are a former emerging director awardee and two former award committee members - so we fully appreciate the value of the process and the quality of the people who come through it. Aaron is obviously a very capable person and we look forward to the new and different perspective he will bring to us."

An event will be held in Christchurch on 20 October where the recipients will be presented with their awards. 


For more information, please contact: 

Sonia Yee
Senior Advisor – Communications and Media
022 354 6417
sonia.yee@iod.org.nz