The NZBWN mentoring programme enables network members to get started on their own individual journeys to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and realise their aspirations as well as helping support others on their journeys.

Applications are now closed for the current round  

Our mentoring groups that will run from March to June 2020 have now started .  You can see the three amazing programmes we have running and brilliant mentors running the groups below.  If you are interested in participating in a future mentoring group or being a mentor for a group, please completed the expression of interest form.  We use the information gathered in the expression of interest form to help develop the programme to what you are most interested in doing.  We also use this to contact you when applications are opening so that you can be first to apply.  

Complete your expression of interest now

Coming up later this year will be programmes covering: 

• Boards: on first board or researching being on a board in the near future
• Public Speaking: confidence to speak to a group
• Productivity: how can I work more effectively
• Business: Freelancing and Contracting.

Career Accelerator

The career accelerator is a mentoring programme for women 5-10 years into their career that are looking to make a major step in their career in the next 6 months.

Over 6 sessions you will work with your mentor and 5 other women to help you get clarity on where you are in your career now and the actions you need to take to take a giant leap forward. By supporting the other women in your group you will get the support you need to navigate the difficult complexities of work and life, and to find the mix that will benefit you inside and outside work.

Your mentor: Jude Sclater

Jude Sclater is a performance coach who helps organisations and individuals do business better. She finds it inspiring working with people to help them become clearer about their vision and she gets a real kick out of seeing people achieve more than they ever imagined possible.

Her own career journey has taught her that anything is possible. She went from studying psychology and information systems at Victoria University, to teaching English in Brazil, to being an auditor and project manager before heading back to university to do a Masters in Organisational Behaviour at Birkbeck. After 8 years as team and leadership development specialist at Deloitte she now runs her own consultancy, Think with Jude.

Growing Leadership and Influence

Are you a leader seeking time and space to reflect on how to be even better? Are you struggling to find your place as a leader or wondering how you might take that step?

Leadership isn't easy. It's a set of skills that are largely developed 'on the job' and, like all skills, they require time and effort to maintain and improve. Our mentoring group will explore how to grow your leadership, reflecting on helping yourself and inspiring others to transform and grow your work. Whether you're someone keen to take their first step in this or a seasoned leader, this group is for you. Themes include managing yourself, communication and persuasion, building relationships and coaching, assessing effectiveness, authenticity, difficult conversations, and guiding change.  Specific topics covered will be tailored to the meet the needs of the group.   

If you're looking for somewhere to develop your leadership and influence in 2020, join us for six sessions of learning and laughter with like-minded women.

Your mentor: Fiona McKenzie

Fiona is an independent healthcare management consultant and general jack-of-all-trades. Most of her time is spent helping healthcare organisations create better services with patients, communities and staff. Having filled many voluntary and paid leadership roles, she has developed a strong understanding of the practicalities of leading and influencing well, engaging and empowering colleagues and peers. Fiona has spent most of her life juggling involvement in many life-and-work activities alongside three long-term health conditions. In the process she has learned a lot about 'going plural', building a portfolio career and being an authentic leader in life and work. 

Personal Branding

What is your personal brand?  What does your personal brand represent and are you using your personal brand to promote yourself?  Over the programme you will explore what your brand is including your values, skills and strengths and how to use your brand to promote yourself.  

Your mentor: Jan Kirkpatrick

Jan arrived in London, from Dunedin, via a kibbutz in Israel, in 1980 with a diploma in fine art, enough money to survive for two weeks and a return ticket home in case. Jan has lived and worked in London ever since, with a career spanning IT, headhunting and consultancy. Jan worked for Diageo, British Petroleum and EY, set up and built an executive search business and qualified as a cognitive behavioural coach. She facilitates career professionals to be their best selves, deliver optimal performance, progress and sustain their careers and achieve their goals.

Getting to know our NZ networks – Kiwi Kids Abroad

Living abroad provides access to a wider understanding of the world, but knowing your heritage and culture is just as important, especially for those of us that have children while living away from New Zealand.

That’s why Kiwi Kids Abroad was set up in by Kent Gardner and his wife Gaye, whose children Freddie, Harry and Will were born in London.

They are well known to many of our members from their time in London and many will remember Kent is past winner of UK New Zealander of the Year.

 The family moved back to New Zealand 18 months ago, but are committed to growing Kiwi Kids Abroad and return regularly to stay connected to their London roots.

For Kent and Gaye, stepping back into the New Zealand way of life was easier, as they had prepared their children by making sure they had a solid connection while they

Start with Why

Author: Simon Sinek

Reviewer: Bronwyn Huband

I joined the NZBWN Book Club with two goals – one to finish a book and second to be able to read something that would challenge me.

Luckily when I turned up to my first book club at Ozone in North London on Sunday I wasn’t the only one to confess to not having quite finished the book and as I am still 15 pages off the end – no spoilers here I promise. If reading a book feels a bit daunting there’s always the audio option or Ted talks to give you an overview.

Simon Sinek’s Start with Why was the very first book read by the book club back in 2015. It was a perfect combination and still is - coffee, brunch and a good honest conversation about a book that aims to give us rich ideas and content to discuss, debate and implement into our lives. 

Given so many of us working in roles going through transformation or change, Start with Why is one of those must reads. It really provides the opportunity to stop and think about why you and/or the leadership you work does what they do. It all starts with why.