The team at Bold Steps are delighted to announce our own Dame Joan Withers, will give a heartfelt talk at Bold Steps 2026.
“Are you really OK?” – Dame Joan will discuss what grief teaches you that no boardroom ever can.
“When you have had a year like I have had, how do you look after yourself and make sure you are healing rather than just coping.”
Dame Joan Withers has had an extensive business and governance career spanning decades, from her early days in media as CEO of Fairfax NZ and The Radio Network, to her current roles as director at ANZ New Zealand, Sky Network TV, and Origin Energy and former Chair of The Warehouse Group, Auckland International Airport, TVNZ and Mercury NZ. She was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2025.
Read Dame Joan’s full bio here: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/joan-withers
Come and join us on 3 December 2026 for another exciting and thought-provoking day.
To secure your tickets, please go to our website: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/boldsteps
#BoldSteps2026 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
The team at Bold Steps are delighted to announce Dame Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian, as a speaker at Bold Steps 2026.
It’s impossible to do justice to all of Dame Sophie’s achievements in the pool, but her quick highlight reel includes 19 Paralympic medals (including eleven gold) across four Games, 17 IPC world titles, and multiple world records. In 2021, Dame Sophie became the youngest-ever Dame in the New Year’s Honours in recognition of her record-breaking accomplishments in the pool. She is a seven-time winner of Para Athlete of the Year as well as Para Athlete of the Decade in 2020 at the Halberg Awards.
A below-the-knee amputee following a lawnmower accident when she was a toddler, Dame Sophie is known for her raw honesty and offers refreshing insight into the ups and downs of life as an athlete and leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
Read Dame Sophie’s full bio here: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/bold-steps-2026-speakers
Come and join us on 3 December 2026 for another exciting and thought-provoking day.
To secure your tickets, please go to our website: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/boldsteps
#BoldSteps2026 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
The team at Bold Steps are delighted to announce Jelena Dokic, former world No. 4 tennis player as a speaker at Bold Steps 2026.
At just 16, she stunned the world by defeating world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon, launching a career that saw her reach Grand Slam semi-finals and become a global tennis star. But her journey off the court reveals an even greater strength.
A two-time refugee, Jelena faced bullying, racism, and, most tragically, 15 years of abuse at the hands of her father – starting at age six. The trauma took a heavy toll, leading her to a breaking point at 22, battling depression, anxiety and PTSD.
She shared her story in two bestselling books, Unbreakable and Fearless, inspiring thousands by speaking openly about mental health, domestic violence, survival, and reclaiming power. Today, she is not only a respected commentator for NINE’s Grand Slam coverage with her number one documentary winning multiple awards, most recently a Logie, Jelena is also a passionate advocate for those who feel unheard.
Her story is one of unimaginable hardship and extraordinary courage - a reminder that even in the darkest moments, we have the strength to rise.
Read Jelena’s bio here: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/bold-steps-2026-speakers
Come and join us on 3 December 2026 for another exciting and thought-provoking day.
To secure your tickets, please go to our website: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/boldsteps
#BoldSteps2026 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
The On Being Bold team would like to thank all of you who attended Bold Steps 2025 this year. What an incredible day we had with you all. Following a fantastic sold-out Bold Steps 2025 conference, we are delighted to confirm that Bold Steps 2026 will be held on 3 December 2026 at Spark Arena, Auckland. Bold Steps 2026 will explore The Ripple Effect—how bold actions, amplified through collective impact, create meaningful change. We are currently securing another inspirational line-up of speakers who we will announce later in 2026.
Tickets are now on sale via our website: www.onbeingbold.co.nz
Wishing you all the very best for the festive season and New Year.
#BoldSteps2026 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
Tonight the Bold Steps Team are delighted to celebrate their upcoming Bold Steps 2025 conference which is next week on Thursday 4 December 2025, by lighting up the Sky Tower. If you are in Auckland city tonight, or close by, make sure you take a look.
#OnBeingBold #DreamingBig #womenleaders
Dreaming Big Christchurch, the OnBeingBold team loved spending the day with you earlier this week at @anzaotearoa and giving you tips on how you can Dream Big. The event is designed to inspire and encourage year 13 female students with potential to be brave and bold in seeking, taking opportunities and dealing with challenges. Thank you to our amazing hosts @anzaotearoa and supporters @whitcoulls_nz@metrocanterbury@nzcouriers Freightways @grinnatural@hopeinabottle.co.nz@tokyo_food_nz_retail Meiji @goodnoze our fabulous speakers and the wonderful students who attended. We are already looking forward to our Dreaming Big events in 2026.
#OnBeingBold #DreamingBig #womenleaders
Last week the On Being Bold Team held a fantastic Dreaming Big Wellington Year 13 event at The Beehive. The event is designed to inspire and encourage year 13 female students with potential to be brave and bold in seeking, taking opportunities and dealing with challenges. Thank you to our amazing supporters @whitcoulls_nz , Snapper Transport, @nzcouriers , Freightways, @grinnatural , Hope in a Bottle, @tokyo_food_nz_retail , Meiji, @goodnoze , our fabulous speakers and the wonderful students who attended. Looking forward to our final Dreaming Big event in Christchurch in September.
#OnBeingBold #DreamingBig #womenleaders
Hon Louise Upston and Dame Therese Walsh inspiring our Dreaming Big students in Wellington at The Beehive today.
#OnBeingBold #DreamingBig #womenleaders
Last week the On Being Bold Team held a fantastic Dreaming Big Auckland Year 13 event at @fonterra.nz . The event is designed to inspire and encourage year 13 female students with potential to be brave and bold in seeking, taking opportunities and dealing with challenges. Thank you to our amazing hosts @fonterra.nz , our supporters @whitcoulls_nz , @nzcouriers , @grinnatural , @hopeinabottle.co.nz , @tokyo_food_nz_retail , @goodnoze , Meiji, our fabulous speakers and the wonderful students who attended. Looking forward to Dreaming Big Wellington tomorrow and Dreaming Big Christchurch in September.
#OnBeingBold #DreamingBig #womenleaders
The team at Bold Steps are delighted to announce the Leadership Panel for Bold Steps 2025 – Dame Ranjna Patel, Founder Tamaki Health and Gandhi Nivas, Sinead Boucher, Owner and Publisher Stuff Group, Cecilia Robinson, Founder and Co-CEO Tend and Jason Boyes, Chief Executive Infratil.
This group of successful business leaders will explore how they have followed their ambition, from founding new businesses, to leading with ambition and reimagining their business for the future. Facilitated by Jolie Hodson, come and listen to this impressive group of leaders.
Come and join us on 4 December 2025 for another exciting and thought-provoking day.
To secure your tickets, please go to our website: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/boldsteps
#boldsteps2025 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
The team at Bold Steps are delighted to announce Dr Catherine Meerkerk (née Yang) and Royal Reed, two Asian women who have built bold, brilliant careers on their own terms, as speakers at Bold Steps 2025.
Together they will have a fireside chat on “Ambition can be uncomfortable” where they will explore what ambition means, especially for women who have had to push past cultural and structural barriers to lead. They will speak about ambition: how it has shaped them, tested them, and why we need more Asian women owning it - visibly and unapologetically.
Catherine is statutorily designated Medical Officer of Health for the Waikato and a senior medical leader. Royal is a partner at Meredith Connell, a founding member of On Being Bold, a board member and mediator.
If you have ever been told to stay in your lane, then this conversation is for you.
Come and join us on 4 December 2025 for another exciting and thought-provoking day.
To secure your tickets, please go to our website: https://www.onbeingbold.co.nz/boldsteps
#boldsteps2025 #OnBeingBold #womenleaders
