BOLD STEPS 2026 SPEAKERS (alphabetical order)
Raelene Castle, Ngāphui, ONZM
Raelene is the Group Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand. She joined the organisation at the end of 2020 after seven years in Australia. There she held Chief Executive roles at Rugby Australia and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club. Raelene was honoured for her contribution to business and sport in 2015 with an ONZM.
Jelena Dokic
The former world no. 4 tennis player, Jelena Dokic is a living testament to resilience, triumph, and the unyielding spirit of a true champion. Her journey on the court has been nothing short of awe-inspiring, marked by monumental victories and a fearless determination that defies all odds.
At a mere 16 years old, Jelena etched her name in tennis history by orchestrating one of the sport's most astounding upsets, dethroning the formidable Martina Hingis, the world number 1, at Wimbledon. This iconic victory propelled her to the tournament's quarter-finals, a precursor to her consecutive semi-final appearances the following year at just 17, a testament to her precocious talent and steely resolve.
However, beyond the world of grand slams and stadium lights lies a narrative of unparalleled courage and perseverance. A two-time refugee, Jelena bore the weight of adversity early in life, navigating a path fraught with bullying and racism. Yet, her most daunting battle unfolded within the confines of her own home, a harrowing ordeal of abuse endured at the hands of her father for over 15 agonising years, starting at the tender age of 6.
The scars of this traumatic past manifested in the shadows of her success, casting a long, silent shadow on her mental health. It led her to the brink, where the darkness threatened to engulf her entirely. At 22, she stood at the precipice, grappling with the crushing weight of her experiences, contemplating a life teetering on the edge. Yet, it was this very darkness that ignited a resilient flame within her, a resolve to not only survive but to transcend and thrive.
Jelena emerged as a beacon of hope, bravely sharing her story through the pages of two bestselling books, Unbreakable and Fearless. These powerful narratives unmask the raw realities of her childhood abuse, the labyrinth of mental health struggles, diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and the profound journey of reclaiming one’s voice and strength, unshackling from the chains of the past. Her words echo as a testament to the immense power of sharing our stories and finding the resilience within to soar beyond limitations.
In 2024, Jelena’s story captivated audiences once again through the critically acclaimed documentary Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story. The film became a number one hit and, in 2025, was named Feature Documentary Production of the Year at the Screen Producers Australia Awards, and the 2025 Logies Best Factual or Documentary Program, solidifying her impact as both a storyteller and a symbol of survival.
Beyond the tennis court, Jelena has become an influential voice, a sought-after speaker, a compelling TEDx presenter, a revered commentator, and a familiar face in NINE’s coverage of the Australian Open and other grand slams. She’s not just an expert in sport but a living embodiment of the human spirit’s capacity to heal, rise, and lead.
Jelena’s story is a tapestry woven from threads of adversity, courage, and unwavering resilience, a testament to the unbreakable human spirit and the power of finding one's voice, transcending the past, and thriving against all odds.
Steve Jurkovich
Steve Jurkovich has been Chief Executive of Kiwibank since July 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Otago and an MBA from the University of Sydney, and has more than 20 years’ experience across the banking sector.
Since joining Kiwibank, he has led a period of strong growth, with the bank doubling in size, expanding its customer base to more than one million Kiwi, and consistently challenging the status quo to deliver better value and stronger competition in banking.
Steve is an Independent Director of Goodman New Zealand Limited and a Director of the Banking Ombudsman Scheme. He is also a former Chair of the New Zealand Bankers’ Association. A purpose-led leader, Steve is passionate about the role banking can play in supporting households, strengthening New Zealand’s economy and helping businesses invest and grow.
He is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and has championed Kiwibank’s DEI agenda, including commitments to gender equity, flexible work and supporting working parents. Steve is a founding trustee of the Tania Dalton Foundation Charitable Trust, which supports young women to achieve their epic potential. He has supported Kiwibank’s involvement in Electrify Aotearoa since 2023, backing early-stage women founders to improve access to capital, capability and networks.
Dr Libby
Dr Libby (PhD) is one of Australasia’s foremost nutritional biochemists and the founder and formulator of the food-sourced supplement company Bio Blends. After 14 years at university and graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with Honours, and a PhD in Biochemistry, she has gained extensive experience in clinical practice seeing patients one-on-one, and at world-renowned health retreats over the last 25 years. The number one best-selling author of 14 books, Dr Libby is also a respected international speaker, where she brings to life the three pillars of her work, biochemistry, nutrition and emotions/mindset. An authoritative and trusted voice in nutrition and wellness, Dr Libby is frequently featured in major print publications, podcasts and appears regularly on breakfast radio and television.
Dame Sophie Pascoe, DNZM
New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian (#166), Dame Sophie Pascoe burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old with a series of stunning performances to become the youngest medal winner at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games winning an amazing three golds, a World Record and a silver medal.
Over the past decade the powerful swimmer has firmly cemented her place as a national treasure. It’s impossible to do justice to all of Dame Sophie's achievements in the pool, but her quick highlight reel includes 19 Paralympic medals (including eleven gold) across four Games, 17 IPC world titles, and multiple world records.
In 2018, she made further history when she was named flagbearer and team captain at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, becoming the first para-athlete to lead the New Zealand team out at a major Games and is the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time, with five gold medals over three different events.
At the end of 2021 Dame Sophie became the youngest-ever Dame in the New Year’s Honours in recognition of her record-breaking accomplishments in the pool. She is a seven-time winner of Para Athlete of the Year as well as Para Athlete of the Decade in 2020 at the Halberg Awards that honours and celebrates New Zealand sporting excellence.
Dame Sophie welcomed her first child in 2024 and for the first time since her teenage debut in 2008, she wasn’t in the pool at the Paralympics later that year. Instead, Dame Sophie took on a new role and was part of the TVNZ team presenting the live coverage each night of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games alongside Scotty Stevenson.
In January 2025, Dame Sophie announced her retirement from competitive swimming and remains deeply committed to giving back to the sport that gave her so much as she continues to be a voice of change, advocate for inclusion, inspire others, and work toward a sporting landscape where every athlete regardless of ability, has the chance to dream big, push further and re define what is possible.
A below-the-knee amputee following a lawnmower accident when she was a toddler, Dame Sophie is known for her raw honesty and offers refreshing insight into the ups and downs of life as an athlete and leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
Vittoria Shortt
Vittoria has been the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ASB Bank since February 2018.
Leading a team of more than 5,500 people, Vittoria is focused on accelerating progress for all New Zealanders. This includes considering the social, environmental and financial wellbeing of our customers and communities in the way we operate. This builds on ASB's 177-year history in supporting a more resilient and sustainable New Zealand.
Vittoria has over 20 years' experience in banking since joining ASB’s parent company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) in 2002. Vittoria's career began in New Zealand, working in Corporate Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions with Deloitte and Carter Holt Harvey.
Vittoria holds a Bachelor of Management Studies majoring in Accounting and Finance from Waikato University and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand.
Vittoria is a member of Global Women in New Zealand and Chief Executive Women in Australia reinforcing her strong advocacy of diversity and inclusion and mentoring women.