Women Corporate Directors New Zealand Launch

Women Corporate Directors New Zealand Launch

Connecting women directors globally to form a network of powerful and influential decision-makers

KPMG and Heidrick & Struggles are proud to sponsor the launch of the New Zealand chapter of Women Corporate Directors. WCD is a global network of powerful and influential women linked to provide a forum for Chairs of Boards, committee Chairs and senior directors, to discuss issues that arise for companies in New Zealand and around the world.

WCD New Zealand will be co-chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley and Jane Diplock who are joined by the Global WCD Co-Chair Henrietta Holsman Fore for the launch. Henrietta is here to share her experiences and insights from her extensive knowledge and connections as the CEO of Holsman International, former Administrator of the United States Agency for International Aid, Director of Exxon Mobil Corporation and Theravance Inc, and Co-Chair of the Asia Society.

Ms. Fore believes that companies need to be bold when contemplating the appointment of women directors.

“Many boards are in the process of redesigning themselves to better deal with risk, strategy and global competition, but more than one woman is needed on a board to make an impact.” Ms. Fore says. “As a matter of fact it has been said that one woman is the invisibility phase, two women is the conspiracy phase, and three women is mainstream.”

WCD NZ members will join a global network of over 1,400 women directors of public and large privately held companies in 42 countries. Members share information and insights to ensure best practices in corporate governance around the world. WCD acts as a catalyst for thought leadership, networking and new relationships.

Founding sponsor Heidrick & Struggles is a world leader in boosting women’s numbers in the boardroom. Wellington partner Lilias Bell says: “WCD is a great opportunity for New Zealand women directors to access knowledge from off shore in a friendly and co-operative way which can only enhance the quality of boards in New Zealand.”

Co-founding KPMG partner Souella Cumming believes: “The ability to create relationships with women in business can’t be underestimated and WCD provides that opportunity at a local and global level.”

WCD was launched last night at a function hosted by KPMG and Heidrick & Struggles in Auckland.

KPMG New Zealand is part of a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. The independent member firms of the KPMG network operate in 146 countries and have more than 140,000 professionals worldwide. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG’s website is located at www.kpmg.com/nz

Heidrick & Struggles is the leadership advisory firm providing senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including succession planning, executive assessment and development, talent retention management, transition consulting for newly appointed executives, and M&A human capital integration consulting. For almost 60 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles’ leadership experts operate from principal business centres globally. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com

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