Accelerate Action: International Women's Day Breakfast
Date: Friday 7 March 2025
Time: 7.30am - 9.30am
Venue: Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, The University of Waikato
Single ticket: $49+GST
Table of 10: $480+GST
Celebrate International Women’s Day with the Waikato Waahine Collective!
Step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 as we bring together powerhouse waahine from across the Waikato who are “Accelerating Action” in their fields.
What to Expect:
A dynamic Q&A panel featuring local changemakers driving meaningful impact
Opportunities to connect and network with incredible waahine in business and beyond
A delicious breakfast to fuel your day and inspire you to take action
Let’s celebrate the achievements of Waikato waahine, spark meaningful conversations, and keep accelerating action together. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and lead!
Note: You do not need to be a member of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce to attend this event.
Facilitator
Panelists
Angela Parquist
Change Architect + Coach, People Before Paper
Angela Parquist is a passionate leader with a career that’s taken her across both the private and public sectors, here in Aotearoa and in Australia. She’s the founder of People Before Paper, a business built on the simple but powerful philosophy that people come first in any strategy, planning or decision-making process. Known for her ability to support leaders into their magic and uniting teams, Angela loves creating environments where individuals, teams and organisations can truly thrive. At the heart of her work is a belief that strong, authentic relationships are the key to lasting success.
Pam Roa – Managing Director, Longveld
Pam Roa is the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business 2024 CEO of the Year and Managing Director of Longveld, a specialist Hamilton-based manufacturer of engineered metal products. Longveld’s diverse work ranges from milk transport road tankers and food processing equipment to prominent public art on New Zealand’s state highways. Pam’s background is in chemical technology and dairy science and Longveld has for many years supported other women and girls in STEM through the Waikato Trades Academy, fabrication apprenticeships, engineering internships and secondary school employer partnerships (SSEP).
Ashley Mason – Head of Delivery, Sentinel Homes
Ashley is the Waikato Chamber of Commerce 2024 Emerging Leader of the Year and Head of Delivery at Sentinel Homes. Ashley oversees construction, quantity surveying, and on-site teams, ensuring operational and financial excellence. A proud advocate for women in construction, Ashley is passionate about fostering opportunities for waahine in the industry. As a member of the National Association for Women in Construction, she’s dedicated to empowering others and creating pathways for women to thrive in this traditionally male-dominated field.
Vanessa Clark - Pouhere Kanapu | Executive Director of Kanapu, based at the University of Waikato
Waikato; Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Tahinga, Ngaati Āmaru.
Vanessa brings to the panel a wealth of experience from a global career in ICT across Hong Kong, London, Sydney, and Silicon Valley, now channeling her expertise into empowering women and Maaori leadership in Aotearoa. Currently Pouhere Kanapu | Executive Director of Kanapu at the University of Waikato, she leads a kaupapa where over 80% of participants are women—rangatahi, pakeke, and kaumatua—building skills and confidence to lead research, science, innovation, and technology on their own terms. Through Kanapu, these women are creating lasting impact in their communities, guided by Vanessa’s commitment to fostering talent and leadership.
Greta Shirley – Group Manager, Customer Experience, Waitomo Group
Born in Kirikiriroa, Greta brings a diverse background in law, journalism, communications, and marketing to her role as Group Manager of Customer Experience at Waitomo. With experience across New Zealand and the UK, she now leads teams in marketing, customer service, and assets, while championing the mana and heritage of the Waitomo brand. Greta is passionate about accelerating women’s equality, reflected in Waitomo’s commitment to empowering women through sport, including their sponsorship of the Waikato Rugby FPC team. A proud wife and mum, Greta’s drive to inspire action aligns with her dedication to creating opportunities for waahine to thrive and succeed.
About International Women’s Day 2025
IWD 2025 campaign theme is 'Accelerate Action'. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
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