2025 AGENDA
8.45 – 8.50
Mihi, Ngāti Whātua
8.50 – 9.20
Welcome and introductions by Dame Therese Walsh, DNZM, Chair, Air New Zealand and ASB.
9.20 – 10.05
A discussion with the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance – a fireside chat on “Realising your ambition” with New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and Hon Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance. Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh and Alison Gerry, Chair Infratil.
10.05 – 11.05
MORNING TEA AND MEET THE LEADERS
Meet some of New Zealand’s business leaders and networking opportunity over morning tea.
11.05 – 11.40
A discussion with the Leader of the Labour Party and Labour Party Spokesperson for Finance and Economy, Savings and Investment – a fireside chat on “Realising your ambition” with Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Labour Party and Hon Barbara Edmonds, Labour Party Spokesperson for Finance and Economy, Savings and Investment. Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh and Alison Gerry.
Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh and Alison Gerry.
11.40 – 12.35
Leading through turbulence: How to turn headwinds to tailwinds – Sarah Robb O’Hagan, author of Extreme You: Step Up. Stand Up. Kick Ass. Repeat. Sarah will share her experiences, lessons learnt and give some tactics on how to achieve high performance while avoiding burnout. Facilitated by Facilitated by Dame Paula Rebstock, DNZM, Chair, Asia Pacific Healthcare Group and Claudia Batten, Chair, Serko.
12.35 – 1.05
Beam me up Scotty – a presentation by Cathy Quinn, ONZM, Chair, Tourism Holdings.
1.05 – 1.50
LUNCH
1.50 – 2.35
A journey with Anapela – A fireside chat with Anapela Polata’ivao, ONZM, Actor, Director and Producer. Anapela will join Frances Valintine, CNZM Founder of academyEX for a Q&A session.
2.35 – 3.10
Unleashing your potential – a presentation by Silvana Schenone, Managing Director and Co-Head Investment Banking NZ at Jarden.
3.10 – 3.30
AFTERNOON TEA
3.30 – 4.30
New Zealand entrepreneur panel – The panel will explore how they have followed their ambition, from founding new businesses, to leading with ambition and reimagining their business for the future.
Facilitated by Dame Joan Withers, DNZM, Director ANZ NZ and Jolie Hodson, MNZM, CEO Spark.
• Dame Ranjna Patel, DNZM, Founder, Tamaki Health and Gandhi Nivas
• Sinead Boucher, Owner and Publisher, Stuff Group
• Cecilia Robinson, Founder and Co-CEO, Tend
• Jason Boyes, Chief Executive, Infratil
4.30 – 5.05
Realising your ambition – A fireside chat with Royal Reed, trusted legal advisor, on how she has built a bold, brilliant career on her own terms. Royal will join Frances Valintine for a Q&A session.
5.05 – 5.15
Wrap up and move to cocktails – Dame Paula Rebstock.

































