We are very proud of our Trustee, Joan Withers, who has recently been recognised with a University of Auckland Bright Lights Distinguished Alumni award.
The awards are given annually to individuals who have achieved outstanding success in their careers, and who have all undertaken study at The University of Auckland. Among five other winners, Joan was formally recognised on the 12th of March at an event at Maidment Theatre, in Auckland.
Joan’s executive career has been in the media, with her management and leadership roles spreading out to other avenues within business. Joan has been CEO of The Radio Network and Fairfax Media in New Zealand. She is the chair of Mighty River Power, deputy chair of TVNZ, independent non-executive director of ANZ New Zealand and a member of the Treasury Board. Joan was previously chair of Auckland International Airport, has held board positions with many leading companies including Meridian Energy, The Warehouse Group and Fairfax Media in Australia.
Joan is a true leader with an intelligent mind and warm heart. She gives of her time to charitable causes, as board member of Global Women Trust, chair of Counties Manukau DHB’s Grow Our Own Workforce initiative and has been a faithful and diligent trustee of The Tindall Foundation for many years. We are very proud of her achievements and were inspired by her interview, which was filmed at the Bright Lights event. Hearing the personal story behind Joan’s great success in the business world was enlightening for us at The Tindall Foundation. We know you will find it inspiring too.
Finlay Macdonald, who hosted the Bright Lights showcase said of Joan “She is without doubt an example and mentor to all women in business. Someone who never saw a glass ceiling without wanting to break through it.” Watch his interview with Joan here.
Recipients of 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards:
Sir Russell Coutts KNZM, CBE (Engineering), Competitive sailor, five-time America’s Cup winner
Bruce Plested (Education), Founding Managing Director of Mainfreight
Bryan Williams CNZM, MBE (Law), Pacific leader, former All Black
Professor Christine Winterbourn CNZM (Science), Professor of Pathology, world authority on biological chemistry of free radicals
Joan Withers (Business), Business leader, deputy chair on the board of TVNZ, chair of the Mighty River Power board
Young Alumnus of the Year for 2015:
Fady Mishriki (Business & Engineering), Entrepreneur