The 2025 International Women's Day focuses on the theme "Her Story is Just the Beginning," celebrating the diverse journeys of women who have emerged as #LeadersLegendsLuminaries. This theme is designed to inspire and empower, spotlighting the influential narratives of women and men who have shaped industries, communities, humanity and cultures with their determination, innovation, and resilience.

If you can longer attend, please cancel your ticket or let us know.

Storytellers:

Jordan Rondel - Caker

Jordan Rondel is the founder and former CEO of The Caker, the cult-favourite cake brand she established in 2010 at the age of 21. The Caker became an international sensation, blending the art of baking with fashion and design. From publishing five recipe books and creating a line of luxury cake mixes to performing as the resident judge on The Great Kiwi Bake Off and baking for some of the biggest names in Los Angeles, Jordan redefined what a food brand can be. She is known for pushing boundaries and shaping a unique intersection of food and culture.

Now based in Los Angeles and having since sold and exited The Caker, Jordan has transitioned from founder to strategist, channelling her creative vision and entrepreneurial expertise into building powerful narratives for companies looking to connect and innovate.

Jessica Clarke - Catwalker

One of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most in-demand models, Jessica Clarke had walked the runways of Milan, Paris, New York, and London by the age of 17. Discovered at 15, the schoolgirl from Palmerston North Girls rose swiftly through the ranks — featuring in campaigns for designers including Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, Clavin Klein and magazine editorials such as Viva Luxury, Tatler and Ensemble. Jessica was the first New Zealand model to walk for Victoria’s Secret in 2011.

In 2021, while home during the pandemic, Jessica launched Mother Made, a supplement brand that uses natural mushrooms powders. The product is now available in Australia and has recently launched in the UK where she lives with her partner Dave Gardner. Jessica describes herself as “Māori in London” — whānau is important to her so returns home as often as she can.

Dame Farah Palmer - Champion

Farah serves on the NZ Māori Rugby Board, and was the first woman appointed to the NZ Rugby Board. In the 2023 New Years Honours she was appointed as a Dame Companion of the NZ Order of Merit, for her services to sport, particularly rugby.

Farah received her PhD in 2000 and is a Senior Lecturer at Massey University, with her research focussing on women in sport, Māori women’s leadership experiences and the incorporation of Māori values and tikanga in organisational contexts. She is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato Tainui descent.

Breanna Morris - Driver

Originally from Auckland, she now calls Hawke’s Bay home. Breanna started driving go-karts back in 2013 when she was just 10 years old. She clearly had a gift — at the age of 12 she was New Zealand champion in the Vortex Mini Rok, the premium karting event for junior drivers. In 2019 she stepped up to Formula First (entry level single seater road racing) and a year later competed, with podium finishes, in the Formula Ford Championship. In 2023 she was one of only two women competing at the NZ Grand Prix.

After a rewarding career in motorsport, Breanna made the decision to retire from racing and shift her focus to new professional opportunities. She is the Site Administrator at Opal Packaging NZ, where she is learning new skills and continuing to grow in unexpected ways. She is excited for what the future holds and “can’t wait to see where it takes me!”

Stu Robertson - Adventurer

Stuart Robertson is a distinguished contemporary fine artist, adventurer and humanitarian. He has dedicated over three decades to capturing the essence of the human condition and the sublime beauty of the natural world. His journey through the visual arts is marked by a reverence for life’s ordinary moments, aiming to illuminate the shared experiences that unite us all.

Stu’s portfolio, including his ‘Peace in 10,000 Hands’, ‘Place’, ‘Colours of Antarctica’ and ‘Loft’ collections, read like a chronicle of human triumph and tribulation. His photographs grace the walls of galleries and cultural institutions globally, each exhibition a testament to the enduring power of art to provoke introspection and inspire social change. His portraits for ‘Peace in 10,000 Hands’ have gained significant momentum internationally, photographing the likes of The Dalai Lama, Dame Patsy Reddy, Demi Moore, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Willie Apiata VC, Sir Jerry Mateparae, Dame Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, Danny DeVito, Whero O Te Rangi Bailey, Daryl Hannah, Ringo Starr, Emily Blunt… to name a few.

Your hosts:

Karen Shires - Chair, PwC New Zealand

Appointed PwC Chair in 2024, Karen has been with PwC for more than 33 years and became a partner in 2003. As an experienced PwC Assurance Partner, she is focussed on financial services and audits of large and complex organisations. Karen has worked in both the Pōneke (Wellington) and Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) offices of PwC New Zealand, in addition to several years with PwC in London. Karen was a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the firm’s Chief Risk and Reputation Officer (CRRO).

Karen has strong ties with Global Women as both a member and a Breakthrough Leaders alumna.

Andrew Holmes - CEO, PwC New Zealand

As CEO and Senior Partner, Andrew leads a team of more than 1800 partners and staff who are focused on building trust and helping New Zealand businesses solve their most important problems. Andrew has more than 25 years’ experience supporting clients to achieve better business outcomes through understanding their strategies and how they can respond to and mitigate related risks. He is passionate about the business reinvention opportunities that the unprecedented rate of technological change presents, for both PwC New Zealand and its clients.

Dame Theresa Gattung - Chair, Global Women

Theresa Gattung is a New Zealand business leader, with experience as a CEO, Chair of boards, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor. She works to make a profound difference to the lives of women and girls in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. In 2024, she was appointed as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours List, for her services to women, governance, and philanthropy.

International Women's Day - #LeadersLegendsLuminaries

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