Dreaming Big 2026
Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland & 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.
WELLINGTON – The Beehive, 16 June 2026
The highlights of the day...
A talk with inspiring sportswomen
Renee Holmes and Ayesha Leti-l’iga, from the Hurricanes Poua shared their career highlights and gave an inside look on what it is like to be part of the Hurricanes – Poua. Facilitated by Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience, Sharesies.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience, 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 talk from a senior businesswoman
Margie Apa, Future Director on the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare board and former Chief Executive of Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand joined Dame Joan Withers for a Q&A.
A session on entrepreneurship: three talented New Zealand entrepreneurs will share with you their career journeys
Samantha Gadd, Founder of Humankind, Jessie Wong, Founder of the luxury leather goods brand Yu Mei. Facilitated by Claudia Batten, Founder of Massive Incorporated and Victors & Spoils.
A discussion with Hon Louise Upston, Deputy Leader of the House
Facilitated by Dame Therese Walsh.
A session on financial wellbeing
Victoria Wynn, Operations Lead – Money and Investment Flows, Sharesies and Claire Langtry, Business Analyst, Sharesies.
WAIKATO - The Deloitte House, 28 July 2026
The highlights of the day...
Leadership panel
Anna Palairet, Chief Operating Officer, Fonterra and Susan Wynne, Partner, Deloitte Hamilton. Facilitated by Cathy Quinn, Chair of Tourism Holdings, Director Fletcher Building, Fonterra and Rangatira, Council Member Auckland University.
A session on financial wellbeing
Cassinda (Cass) Veljanovski, Business Operations Lead, Sharesies, and Renee Jameson, Marketing Director – Sharesies Business explained the basics of healthy financial planning and gave tips on how to manage money and start investing.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Dame Joan Withers, Director Origin, ANZ and Sky TV, led a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A talk from a senior businesswoman
Margie Apa, Future Director on the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare board and former Chief Executive of Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand joined Dame Joan Withers for a Q&A.
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Paula Gair, Consultant, Educator, Advisor – Master of Technological Futures, Tech Futures Lab led a session on
managing the online world 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.
AUCKLAND - Fonterra Centre, 30 July 2026
The highlights of the day...
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Silvana Schenone and Kate Daly, Managing Director People & Culture, Fonterra led a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A discussion with Hon Nicola Willis, Deputy Leader of the National Party
Facilitated by Cathy Quinn, Chair of Tourism Holdings, Director Fletcher Building, Fonterra and Rangatira, Council Member Auckland University.
A session on entrepreneurship
Well-known entrepreneur Frances Valintine, led a session with Jade Tan Swea Phin, Head of Product and Design, Lume Music.
Leadership panel
A panel discussion with Dame Joan Withers and Jolie Hodson, CEO and Executive Director, Spark, facilitated by Cathy Quinn.
A discussion with two inspiring young women leaders
Helen Liu, Technical Business Lead role in Global Supply Chain, Fonterra and Eleanor Paxie, Analyst in the Investment Banking team at Jarden discussed their career journeys. Facilitated by Silvana Schenone.
A session on financial wellbeing
Cassinda (Cass) Veljanovski, Business Operations Lead, Sharesies and Cat Sun, Senior Business Analyst – Expansion Products at Sharesies, explained the basics of healthy financial planning and gave tips on how to manage money and start investing.
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Facilitated by Frances Valintine.
CHRISTCHURCH - ANZ Centre, 11 August 2026
The highlights of the day...
A discussion with four inspiring New Zealand women leaders
Eliza Cowey, chartered Chemical Process Engineer, AECOM and Hikaru Toyama, Transaction Banking Manager, ANZ, and Jess Simpson, Private Banker and qualified Financial Adviser, ANZ, discussed their career journeys. Facilitated by Deborah Floyd, Regional Manager, ANZ Private.
Getting an interview/presenting your best self
Anna Liumaihetau Darling, General Manager – People Experience, Sharesies led a discussion on tips for getting an interview, how best to present yourself and addressing the “imposter syndrome”.
A discussion with three inspiring New Zealand women leaders
Georgia Ah Kuoi, a Polynesian filmmaker based in Wellington, Emily Blythe, CEO, Pyper Vision and Laura Sahng, a solicitor specialising in financial services regulation at Buddle Findlay, discussed their career journeys. Facilitated by Somali Young, Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, Infratil at Morrison.
A talk from a senior business woman
Jo Allison, an accomplished executive with extensive experience in change management and operations.
Facilitated by Alison Gerry, Chair Infratil and Director ANZ Group and Air New Zealand.
A session on financial wellbeing
Rebekah Gerry, Self Service Operations Lead, Westpac, a self-confessed budget nerd.
A talk from Cate Sexton – Creating opportunities and thriving
Cate Sexton, 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, Sharesies.
A session dealing with managing the online world and developing your own personal brand
Facilitated by Frances Valintine.
