Dreaming Big 2025
Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington & Christchurch
Dreaming Big is an event designed to inspire and encourage year 13 female students with potential to be brave and bold in seeking, taking opportunities and dealing with challenges. Schools were invited to select two students to attend at no cost to either the school or the student. The day provided year 13 girls a chance to connect with our inspirational line-up of speakers. The speakers gave many valuable insights and tips to help the girls set their goals and dream big.
WAIKATO - The Deloitte House, 6 June 2025
The highlights of the day...
Leadership panel
Hinerangi Raumati, MNZM (Waikato, Ngaati Mutunga), Chair of Tainui Group Holdings, Komal Mistry-Mehta, Chief Innovation and Brand Officer, Fonterra and Susan Wynne, Partner, Deloitte Hamilton. Facilitated by Cathy Quinn, Chair Tourism Holdings and Fertility Associates, Director Fonterra and Fletcher Building.
A session on financial wellbeing
Simran Kaur, Founder of Girls That Invest. Facilitated by Jolie Hodson, CEO Spark.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Silvana Schenone Co-Head Investment Banking at Jarden, board member of the Takeovers Panel and Kate Daly, Managing Director People & Culture at Fonterra will lead a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A session on entrepreneurship
Well known entrepreneur Frances Valintine, will lead a session with Rosalie Norton on entrepreneurship and finding your ‘Why?’
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Facilitated by Frances Valintine
'Ask any question' of the OnBeingBold team
The day finished with a Q&A session between students and the OnBeingBold women.
AUCKLAND - Fonterra Centre, 7 August 2025
The highlights of the day...
Leadership panel
A panel discussion with Dame Therese Walsh, Dame Joan Withers and Jolie Hodson, Facilitated by Royal Reed.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Silvana Schenone Co-Head Investment Banking at Jarden, board member of the Takeovers Panel and Keith Muirhead, Director Talent, People & Culture at Fonterra will lead a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A session on entrepreneurship
Well known entrepreneur Frances Valintine, led a session with Aditi Gorasia on entrepreneurship.
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Facilitated by Frances Valintine
'Ask any question' of the OnBeingBold team
The day finished with a Q&A session between students and the OnBeingBold women.
A discussion with Hon Nicola Willis, Deputy Leader of the National Party
Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh.
WELLINGTON – The Beehive, 14 August 2025
The highlights of the day...
A talk from senior business women
Margie Apa, former Chief Executive of Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand. A Q&A with Dame Joan Withers, DNZM
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience at Sharesies and Linda Clay, General Manager, Māori Women’s Development Inc, led a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A session on entrepreneurship: three talented New Zealand entrepreneurs will share with you their career journeys
Rachael Caughley, Founder of Caughley, Sonya Williams, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sharesies, Jessie Wong, Founder of the luxury leather goods brand Yu Mei. Facilitated by Claudia Batten, Founder of Massive Incorporated and Victors & Spoils.
A session on financial wellbeing
Victoria Wynn, Operations Lead – Money and Investment Flows, Sharesies and Claire Langtry, Business Analyst, Sharesies.
A discussion with Hon Louise Upston, Deputy Leader of the House
Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh.
A discussion with three inspiring New Zealand young women leaders
Melanie Quigg, Senior Markets Analyst at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Kat Taufalele, Legal Advisor at the Broadcasting Standards Authority and Tahirah Moton, Lived Experienced Advisor at Oranga Tamariki. Facilitated by Sara Arhaim, Executive Director, Strategic Operations at HRL Morrison & Co.
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Frances Valintine, CNZM Founder and Board Director of academyEX, led a session on dealing with managing the online world, keeping safe online and developing your own personal brand.
'Ask any question' of the OnBeingBold team
The day finished with a Q&A session between students and the OnBeingBold women.
CHRISTCHURCH - ANZ Centre, 9 September 2025
The highlights of the day...
A discussion with four inspiring New Zealand young women leaders
Fehrial Afzal, Dealer, ANZ, Isabella Peat, Chemical and Process Engineer, Fonterra and Hikaru Toyama, ANZ – ESG Advisory Manager, discussed their career journeys. Facilitated by Deborah Floyd, Regional Manager, ANZ Private.
A talk from Cate Sexton – Creating opportunities and thriving
Cate Sexton is currently the CEO of Te Rōpū Ākonga o Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury Students’ Association, where she leads with a vision of empowering student success and wellbeing. Q&A with Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience at Sharesies.
A discussion with three inspiring New Zealand young women leaders:
Tahirah Moton, Lived Experienced Advisor at Oranga Tamariki, Laura Sahng, banking and finance solicitor at Buddle Findlay, Kat Taufalele, Legal Advisor, Broadcasting Standards Authority, discussed their career journeys. Facilitated by Sara Arhaim, Executive Director, Strategic Operations at Morrison.
A talk from a senior business woman
Dame Joan Withers, Chair of The Warehouse Group, Director Sky TV, Director ANZ NZ and Director Origin Energy.
Facilitated by Alison Gerry, Chair Infratil and Director ANZ Group and Air New Zealand.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience at Sharesies led a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A session on financial wellbeing
Rebekah Gerry, Self Service Operations Lead, Westpac is a self-confessed budget nerd.
A talk from a senior business leader/entrepreneur
Leonie Guiney is a respected New Zealand dairy farmer, business leader and former Director of Fonterra. Facilitated by Silvana Schenone, Co-head Investment Banking at Jarden.
