As a leading New Zealand business personality and best-selling author, Theresa is regularly called on to speak at a range of events.

She draws on her experience as a professional director and as the former CEO and Managing Director of Spark (formerly Telecom), to provide inspiring and memorable addresses – on topics such as leadership, marketing and branding, business transformation, ambition and success.

Theresa is the Chair of Wool Partners International. In this role she leads the company’s drive to reinvigorate the international market for New Zealand’s strong wools, applying her leadership skills, international business experience and marketing and branding expertise. She is also Non-Executive Chair of the Board of AIA Australia Limited.

Theresa’s Background

For 7 years until 2007 Theresa was CEO and Managing Director of Telecom New Zealand, a telecommunications business operating in New Zealand and Australia and listed on the NZX, ASX and NYSE.

During her tenure as CEO she led Telecom through world-changing technology developments and the evolution of the business from a traditional telco to the number one IT provider in New Zealand. She is currently Chair of Wool Partners International.

Named in Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 most powerful women in international business several times since 2002, she was also included in Forbes’ list of the world’s 50 most powerful women across any sphere in 2006.

Before becoming CEO of Telecom, Theresa held roles there as Group General Manager, accountable for revenues of NZ$3 billion and responsibility for over 3,500 staff, and General Manager, Marketing. Prior to joining Telecom, Theresa held a number of marketing roles in the financial services sector.

In 2010, she released her best-selling autobiography Bird on a Wire. Theresa’s personal interests include horse riding, fashion, swimming and collecting contemporary art.