Getting into Governance

Amy Tea
Amy is the Director of ATCL Search, a bespoke executive search firm committed to placing exceptional leaders for social good across Aotearoa. With over two decades of experience in governance and executive recruitment, Amy brings deep insight into leadership capability, board composition, and the evolving demands of senior roles in impact-driven organisations. She has recruited board directors to a wide range of organisations across the private, government, iwi and NGO space.

Elena Trout
Elena  is an experienced independent director and chair across both the private and public sectors. She has a professional engineering background and has led large projects particularly in the energy and transport sectors. She has been the independent Chair of WorkSafe New Zealand’s Audit, Risk and Finance Committee since mid-2023 prior to being appointed to the WorkSafe board.  Elena’s current governance roles include Chair of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority, Co-Chair of Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure, Deputy Chair for Ara Ake Ltd, and Board member and Chair of the Audit Risk and Finance Committee for WorkSafe and for Callaghan Innovation. She is also an independent director and chair of health and safety or audit and finance committees for several boards such as Contact Energy, CityCare Limited, Spencer Henshaw, and Te Rāhui Herenga Waka Whakatāne.

Dr Shane Collins

Shane Collins is the recently appointed Women in Leadership Manager at the Ministry for Women. Shane is an accomplished senior public sector leader who is passionate about driving change that promotes gender diversity in leadership and governance. She also has a distinguished track record in governance roles across sports, healthcare, and public sector organisations. The Ministry for Women’s vision is that Aotearoa is a great place for all women and girls. The Ministry publishes the gender and ethnic diversity on public sector boards each year and amongst many support tools, operates the board Nominations Service database and Leadership Learning Hub.

Anne Liu

Anne is a senior finance executive and CPA with over 25 years of international experience across SaaS, AI robotics, and the not-for-profit sector. She has a proven track record in scaling finance functions, strengthening governance, and building high-performing, values-led teams. Most recently, Anne served as Chief Financial Officer at Clutterbot, where she led global finance operations and upheld financial integrity in a complex, high-growth environment. She is a Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and currently serves on the board of Women’s Health Action. Known for her disciplined execution, commercial acumen, and adaptable leadership, Anne brings a principled and pragmatic lens to executive decision-making and governance.

Julie Hardaker – Facilitator

Julie is Chair of Women on Boards New Zealand and is a lawyer, governance professional and the former Mayor of Hamilton from 2010 – 2016. She has practiced law for over 25 years and operates her own law firm in Hamilton. Julie is currently Deputy Chair of Auckland Transport and Bay Venues Limited, Chair of Orchestras Central Trust, and a trustee of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Julie holds other government and private sector board roles and is also a member of Global Women. Julie has a strong interest in women and leadership and is an advocate for gender equality at all levels..