Cultural Intelligence in a Future Dominated by AI - Craft Your Life Symposium

Elevate your voice, command respect and be confident in your own skin.

The Craft Your Life Symposium OCT 2026 invites business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals to reimagine what success and leadership means in a new era that is going to be dominated by Artificial Intelligence through the lens of Cultural intelligence (CQ) and Spiritual Intelligence (SQ). It is time to move beyond Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ)!

Join us on for a day of powerful talks by international and local pioneering thinkers, industry experts, and thought leaders. This symposium is especially for those who feel invisible even though they have a lot to offer.

Does this sound familiar?

• You grapple with the inner battles with loss of confidence and self-doubt

• You wonder whether people trust your message because your way is different from theirs

• As a leader do your wonder if your team understand what you expect from them and act on it

These are questions that could impact how you show up in meetings and how you lead. This could be true of people of any culture, however, more apparent if you are an immigrant.

If this sounds like you, then come along and find out from thought leaders and experts who have overcome similar challenges.

International Speakers:

Elee Joven, USA - (in-person), visiting International Keynote Speaker, is a Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Speaker Advocate and Founder whose career spans over 30 years in the corporate world in marketing, real estate finance and banking.

Elee’s expertise lies at the intersection of applied Cultural Intelligence and AI implementation. She seeks to disrupt a marketplace that focuses on corporate diversity metrics, while ignoring individual transformation from cultural intelligence.

"In our hyper-connected global society, the "Golden Rule" -- treating others as you wish to be treated -- is no longer enough. To truly thrive, we must upgrade to the Platinum Rule: treating others as they wish to be treated." - Elee Joven

Sushma Webber, Wellington, (in-person), originally from India, International Keynote Speaker and host, is also a book writing mentor and author who helps elevate the voice experts to position themselves as thought leaders.

According to her this can be achieved through the twin-engines of Thought Leadership which are through creating speaking opportunities and impactful authorship by publishing an authority book. Her insights are rooted in lived experience, Spiritual Intelligence (SQ), and practical business insight. 

Ruth Stuettgen, Melbourne (via Zoom), Ruth Stuettgen is a Women's Business Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Trauma-Informed Well-being Consultant with over 30 years of global experience across policing, teaching, and women's empowerment. 

Based in Melbourne, Australia, she is founder of inspiredwomanTV and Lunch & Learn for Women in Business, and author of two published works including From Misery to Mastery. 

A recipient of the International Women Achiever Award 2021, Ruth combines strategy, intuition, and holistic mind-body tools to guide heart-centred entrepreneurs toward confidence, clarity, and soul-aligned success. She brings warmth, wisdom, and humour to everything she does, and this session will be no different.

Bryony Rogers, Wellington, (in-person), originally from the UK, is a voice empowerment coach, sound healer and Reiki Master Teacher with 27 years of experience helping people reclaim their authentic voice.

Born in Lancashire, England, she has made her home on the Kāpiti Coast for seven years and works across New Zealand, the UK and India, so she knows first-hand what it is to find your voice in a new culture.

Founder of Heartsong Healing, she holds the 2026 NZ Prestige Award for Holistic Retreats. She is a published, award-winning poet, author of The Golden Road: My Journey with Spirit, and creator of the True Voice online course.

Why attend?

This hybrid event is designed for connection and action, not just inspiring messages. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can implement in their business and personal life. Gain clarity on how to grow as a leader with cultural intelligence (CQ) as a superpower and going beyond EQ and IQ.

Who should attend?

• Professionals who would like to increase their chance for leadership roles.

• Small business owners (0–20 staff) and their teams

• Aspiring entrepreneurs and rangatahi founders (check out a special discount for students/concession)

OUTCOME: You will understand the steps to take towards including cultural intelligence (CQ) as part of your workplace culture.

For individuals it is an opportunity to learn how to elevate your voice, command respect and be confident in your own skin!

This symposium is not only an opportunity to learn — it’s a platform to share, inspire, and lead.

Highlights include:

• Keynote sessions from trailblazing business, experts and thought leaders

• Networking with high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs

• opportunity to interact with our international keynote speaker Elee Joven, USA, in-person

Whether you’re looking to elevate your business, refine your leadership approach, or connect with a community of forward-thinking professionals, the Craft Your Life Symposium is your gateway to growth and inspiration.