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The Women of Influence Speaker Series – Wellington
The Women of Influence Speaker Series is an opportunity for people all over New Zealand, who aspire to make a significant contribution to their community, to fully realise their own potential by learning from some outstanding leaders who have done just that.
Join us for a networking breakfast, and hear from some of our amazing speakers including:
A debate between: Georgina Beyer – Advocate for LGBTQIA+ community & Farah Palmer – Former Black Ferns captain
Jess Quinn – Health & Wellbeing Advocate
+ more to be announced.
Georgina Beyer
The world’s first openly-transgender mayor and Member of Parliament, as well as one of only a handful of former sex workers to hold elected office, Georgina has spent much of her life changing attitudes and tearing down barriers.
Georgina was instrumental in passing the Prostitution Reform Bill, which decriminalised prostitution and further protected the rights of sex workers, as well as the Civil Union Act.
Nowadays, Beyer travels the world talking to audiences about her experiences. Though retired from political life, she still fights for greater recognition and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and uses her own sometimes-traumatic experiences to support New Zealanders who are questioning their own identity.
Farah Palmer
Farah is an academic and former Black Ferns captain who became the first female appointed to the board of New Zealand Rugby in 2016.
Following a glittering career with the New Zealand women’s rugby team, which included three World Cup wins, she took on a variety of leadership and governance roles. This year she has taken on the role of Associate Dean Māori for the Massey Business School.
Farah’s recent work has focused on Elite Māori athletes and their cultural identities in sport, the leadership and organisational culture of the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Māori All Blacks, Māori women’s experiences in sport management, and the involvement of mothers in elite sport as leaders and athletes.
Jess Quinn
Jess lost her right leg to cancer at the age of nine, but she hasn’t let that slow her down in any aspect of life. A model, brand ambassador, and health and wellbeing advocate, Jess uses her own experience of overcoming adversity and body image struggles to help others feel more comfortable in their own skin.
After discovering a magazine image of her had been photoshopped, Jess recently petitioned parliament to introduce a law requiring publishers to declare if a photo of a model has been digitally altered.
A self-described “accidental influencer”, Jess’s inspirational story has earned her a massive online following and a steady stream of public speaking work. She also won the nation over with her appearance on Dancing with the Stars 2018, raising awareness for the Child Cancer Foundation.