Join us for the next inspiring Wāhine Connection event to celebrate International Women's Day! Connect with other like-minded wāhine, gain valuable insights, and enjoy bubbles and nibbles🥂

This event is all about connection, growth and supporting each other, whether in business, personal development or community impact. Connect with other like-minded wāhine, gain valuable insights, and enjoy bubbles and nibbles🥂🎁. 

Maree Thyne
Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Commerce and Dean of the Otago Business School. A Professor of Marketing, she completed her PhD at Otago in 2001 and rose to full professor in 2021. Her global research expertise spans consumer behaviour and tourism, with over 20 years examining topics including tourist interactions, cultural tourism, and cruise tourist motivations. Maree is the fourth academic from Otago's Department of Marketing to be elected President of the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC).

Maree’s work focuses on understanding why people do what they do, as customers, colleagues, and leaders. Her insights into consumer behaviour, confidence, and connection are highly relevant for women working across all roles in business, not just those at the top. With deep experience bridging education and industry, Maree brings a practical, human-centred perspective on navigating change, building confidence at work, and creating impact through collaboration. Expect an engaging and relatable conversation, with ideas you can take back to your role, whatever stage of your career you’re at.

Deb Fraser - Komene
Deb Fraser, MNZM, has over 30 years’ leadership and governance experience in the health, justice, and social sector. She is the Director of Whakaata Tohu Tohu | Mirror Services, a child and adolescent service based in Ōtepoti, supporting tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau in the southern region. Since 2007, Deb has been an active participant in the Global Leadership Exchange, contributing to international learning, collaboration, and innovation in health and social services leadership. She has also been extensively involved in training and workforce development initiatives and has served on a range of regional and national advisory committees, supporting sector capability, quality improvement, and sustainable service delivery.

A respected sector leader, Deb is Co-Chair of the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT), a Board Member of Platform Trust, and serves on the NZAC Ethics Committee, reflecting her strong interest in ethics within counselling practice. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, endorsed in Addictions & Co-exsisting Problems. She has recently been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in recognition of her service to youth mental health.
 

This event is for all wāhine (women), - no matter where you are in your career or personal journey. Don't miss the chance to be part of something special.