Kristy is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Shepherdess magazine. She is also Executive Producer of the Shepherdess TV Series, and Festival Director of The Shepherdess Muster. She is passionate about community engagement and working with communities to bring out positive narratives; creating vibrant rural communities.

Kristy’s professional background is in public health, policy and community engagement in rural and remote areas, and she has led numerous community projects and events across both rural and remote Australia and Aotearoa. She is the founder of the acclaimed Channel Country Ladies Day, established in 2012, and held annually on the edge of the Australian desert, a food producer’s festival in the Horowhenua, and The Shepherdess Muster. The inaugural Muster was held at Motū, Te Tairāwhiti, in February 2024.

Kristy holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Asia Pacific Governance and Development from James Cook University, Far North Queensland, and a Master of Agriculture from Massey University, Manawatū. Kristy was an AGMARDT Leadership Scholarship recipient, studying Social Entrepreneurship at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a finalist in the 2021 Stuff Women of Influence Awards – Primary Industries category.

Kristy lives on her partner’s family dairy and beef farm in the Horowhenua, with her partner and their children, Hartley, five, and Tully, three.

www.shepherdess.co.nz | @shepherdess.nz

Access Need?

If you have an access need, no problem! We just ask that you send us a quick email to info@womenandbusiness.co.nz before the event so that we can ensure your needs are met from when you arrive at the Globe Theatre.

What to expect on the night

Our events kick off with a networking session between 5.30 - 6.00pm so that guests can connect over a drink & nibbles. At 6.00pm we head into one of the theatres at Globe Theatre for a presentation from one of our sponsors, and then our guest speaker, with audience Q&A + discussion following before the event is wrapped up at approximately 7.00pm.

Who can attend?

Women & Business is not just about women and business. It’s about so much more.

Our monthly events are designed for guests to connect, share resources, experiences and learnings and to exchange ideas and inspiration for personal and professional growth.

They are for anyone who identifies as a woman. Whether you’re young-ish or old-er, a business owner, non-business owner, volunteer or student, CEO or intern… or anything in-between!