BEST Leadership Academy Starts Distinguished Speakers Series

14 March 2012

BEST Leadership Academy launches Distinguished Speakers Series

The BEST Leadership Academy will deliver the first of its ‘Distinguished Speakers Series’ this week featuring some of the country’s top leaders in their respective fields.

The series is part of the BEST Pasifika Leadership Programme which was launched last year in partnership with The University of Auckland.

BEST Leadership Academy CEO, and four-time Olympian, Beatrice Faumuinā ONZM says the unique leadership programme blends post-graduate courses for business leadership and entrepreneurship interwoven within a Pasifika context. The ‘Distinguished Speakers Series’ is another exciting aspect of the leadership programme.

This breakthrough programme will provide a leadership ladder that will increase the number of Pacific people in leadership positions within businesses.”

The inaugural guest speaker for the series is renowned CEO and Entrepreneur, Tony Falkenstein ONZM with his presentation, “Confessions of an Entrepreneur.”

“I am honoured and delighted to have Tony as our inaugural speaker because it is an opportunity for our programme participants and community to hear first-hand stories from one of New Zealand’s most outstanding leaders.” says Ms Faumuinā.

Tony Falkenstein was born in Auckland, and has a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Auckland. He is a serial entrepreneur with an impressive record of starting over 50 companies.

He founded and is the current CEO of ‘Just Water International Ltd,’ a publicly listed company with a turnover of $30 million. He owns a 90 percent shareholding in Bartercard New Zealand Ltd, a privately held company with a trading turnover of $250 million.

Mr Falkenstein’s business philosophy is uncomplicated: “Keep it simple, enjoy what you are doing, and make a profit.” Three years ago Tony Falkenstein was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

In 2003, Mr Falkenstein established New Zealand’s first Business High School, at Onehunga High School, with a view to include ‘business and entrepreneurship’ as a subject in the National Curriculum. He achieved this in 2011. He is now assisting the Ministry of Education with establishing Business High Schools throughout the country.

The series starts this Thursday, 15 March at 6pm at The University of Auckland Business School, OGGB 5, Level Zero of the Owen G Glenn Building.

ENDS

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