The message shared at last week’s Women’s Business Network luncheon put on by the Cambridge Business Chamber sounded loud and clear.
Guest speaker at the event was Waipā District Council chief executive, Steph O’Sullivan. Photo: Viv Posselt
In a world where international voices countering diversity and inclusion grow louder, women need to make sure their own voices are heard. They need to learn from the experiences of other women, accept support and guidance from good mentors, and empower themselves to be good leaders.
The message was delivered by guest speaker, Waipā District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan.
The Chamber holds Women’s Business Chamber events quarterly. Last week’s luncheon was a celebration of International Women’s Day, marked globally on March 8 to honour the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and accelerate gender equality.
Among attendees were Taupō MP Louise Upston and Cambridge Chamber life member, Rosalie Lunson.
Celebrating International Women’s Day at last week’s luncheon are, from left, Taupō MP Louise Upston, Waipā District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan, Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley, and Cambridge Business Chamber chief executive Kelly Bouzaid. Photo: Viv Posselt
O’Sullivan is no stranger to leadership roles. She came to her current position last August after six years spent in the same position with Whakatāne District Council. Prior to that, she worked as Bay of Plenty senior advisor for the then government’s Provincial Growth Fund, and held other numerous governance roles, including with the Waikato River Authority and the Tauranga People’s Project. She also chaired the Advisory Board for the University of Waikato Adams High-Performance Centre in Mount Maunganui.
She credits much of her success to the support she was given early in her career.
She was born and schooled in Tokoroa, then graduated from Massey University with a double major in planning and development studies. A lifelong affiliation with Māori – she speaks te reo fluently – stems from her whānau father Hori Deane and her whāngai link with Ngātira Marae in Lichfield, and has given her a deep understanding of what it means to be an inclusive community.
Michelle Rolley, manager of the event’s sponsor company, Forsyth Barr Cambridge speaking to guests. Photo: Viv Posselt
She said a combination of influential role models and wāhine leaders had “shaped my passion to provide those opportunities for other women around me”.
She cautioned women against listening too closely to statements coming from other parts of the world – particularly the United States – against diversity and inclusion, and urged them to make informed, courageous decisions about their futures.
O’Sullivan said we are entering a phase signalling the biggest change in local government since 1989, and said it was ‘long overdue’.
“It is my responsibility to ensure your council is flexible and adaptable … and can maximise opportunities and address the challenges, and we are not short of those.”
She urged women to get involved and make their voices heard, for now and for future generations.
Taupō MP Louise Upston urged women to consider standing for office. Photo: Viv Posselt
A similar call came from Taupō MP Louise Upston. She said the upcoming local body elections were not just about voting, but were about being well informed about the process and those individuals taking part.
“We are champions for one another,” she said.
Upson encouraged the women to consider standing for office at some stage, and repeated her call made last year for people to speak out against the abuse often meted out to those working public office.
The meeting also acknowledged life member Rosalie Lunson for her long-standing and ongoing service to the Chamber. Lunson, in turn, acknowledged the passing of Rosemary Hill, who had contributed much to the Cambridge community over many years.
Cambridge Chamber life member Rosalie Lunson, left, with Tracey Olivier of Tracey Olivier Consulting, were among the guests. Photo: Viv Posselt
Invited guests mingled before the luncheon event started. Photo: Viv Posselt
