2026 BusinessDesk CEO Index Breakfast

Victoria Young. Editor, BusinessDesk

Victoria Young is the editor of BusinessDesk, leading its journalism across New Zealand business, markets, policy and the economy. With a professional career spanning New Zealand, Singapore, and London, Victoria Young has been with BusinessDesk since 2019, initially as a senior reporter before taking on the role of investigations editor in 2022, then editor in 2024. She has been instrumental in growing BusinessDesk as this country's premium business news brand. She was the 2023 recipient of a Brian Gaynor initiative grant. Victoria holds law and arts degrees from Victoria University of Wellington.

Leighton Roberts. Co-Founder and CEO, Sharesies

Leighton Roberts is a co-founder and co-CEO of Sharesies. Over the past nine years, Leighton has worked with his co-CEOs to grow the company into one of Australasia's most impactful fintechs, with over 1 million investors and more than 5,000 companies and trusts using their technology. Coming from a background in banking, Leighton is passionate about empowering more people to build wealth with their money. He has experienced the benefits of investing on a regular basis firsthand - having been a member of an investment club since the age of 17 that still actively invests today. Alongside co-founders Brooke and Sonya, Leighton was awarded the 2022 NZ Services Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2022 INFINZ Emerging Leader.

Suse Reynolds. Chair, Wellington Institute of Directors

Suse Reynolds was a founding member of the Angel Association NZ Council joining at its inception in 2008. She took up the Executive Director role in 2012, transitioning to Chair in 2020 and stepping down from this role at the end of March 2024. In 2005 Suse helped to found AngelHQ, the Wellington region’s angel network and remains on the Board. Today AngelHQ has about 100 members and has invested over $55m into 150+ high-growth startup companies. An active angel investor, Suse has over 30 ventures in her portfolio and currently chairs Narrative Muse, a female founded, AI enabled, UNESCO recognised startup helping every story find its audience. Suse Chairs the Wellington branch of the Institute of Directors and is on the National Council. A founding member of GrowthNZ, Suse leads GrowthNZ’s Innovation Pillar. Suse has previously served on the board of CreativeHQ, was a trustee for Project Crimson Trust and was the Deputy Chair of the Government appointed Startup Advisors Council which released the Upstart Nation Report in August 2023

Dileepa Fonseka