The Role of Male Allies in Advancing Inclusive Leadership

Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across New Zealand, particularly in industries traditionally dominated by men. Despite the well-documented business and societal benefits of diverse leadership, many women face barriers that limit their career progression. Historically, efforts to address this imbalance have often focused on empowering women to navigate these challenges on their own.

However, meaningful change requires a collective effort, and male leaders are uniquely positioned to champion inclusivity and foster environments where diverse talent thrives. By joining this important conversation, you’ll gain insights and practical strategies to create workplaces where everyone, including women, can reach their full potential. We invite you to be part of this exciting event and help shape a more inclusive future for Northland

In this talk, Dr Amanda Sterling will take us through a history of social science and leadership research - to acknowledge where we’ve come from - before sharing what her world-first research reveals about opportunities for more inclusive practices that benefit men, women and anyone else who doesn’t identify with current leadership norms. In her explanation - of where we have to go - you’ll be prompted to reflect on your own experiences of leadership and what you can immediately action to build a more inclusive workplace for everyone.

Invited to attend are organisational leaders of all genders, and non-gendered identities, who care about the opportunities available to their mothers, partners, sisters, daughters, friends, or female colleagues. Amanda’s speaking and workshops have been described (by men and women) as “thought provoking and inclusive” and an opportunity to “explore this topic without worrying whether we were going to say or do the wrong thing”.

More from what people say,

“Amanda is brilliant – her research background and report pulled in a big group and since the session we have had an overwhelming response with lots of our people, from all backgrounds wanting to continue the conversation. Everyone agreed that making positive moves as an organisation to address gender ratios is just one part and there’s more we can do that challenges and transforms us. Creating a safe environment where women leaders feel they can thrive is critical. Amanda’s delivery is inspiring, refreshing and thought provoking."

Storm Day, Chief Business Officer, Accenture Song / The Monkeys

“Amanda’s gave me permission to consider an alternative approach to leadership that strikes the balance between family and career without apology and to role model this for those around me. It shifted my thinking from how I empower women to fulfil their potential, to how I can change the culture of leadership so it innately empowers women to fulfil their potential.”

Monique Esplin, Manager Waste Strategy and Legislation, Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao

Bio

Dr Amanda Sterling is an award winning leadership consultant and neuroscience-trained coach. She combines her decades of experience working in corporate leadership development and culture change, as well as deep expertise on leadership, gender, and inclusion, to support organisations in understanding their gender equity challenges and engage all their leaders in the cultural changes necessary to build inclusive workplaces, increase the representation of women in leadership, and close their gender pay gaps.

Amanda completed PhD at the University of Auckland in 2023. Her research was a world-first exploring the experiences of mothers in leadership positions. It has been featured in NewsHub, The Press, The Dominion Post, NewsTalkZB, RNZ’s The Panel and by Global Women and the University of Auckland.