Women in Business | Kate Simmons, Foley Hospitality
For the past 20 years, Kate Simmons has been working with brands where storytelling has always been central, whether it be high-end fashion, airline…
Women in Business | Claire Wilkinson, Springs Tavern
For seasoned hospitality professional Claire Wilkinson, the sense of community has made the difference in her latest role. The opening of The Springs Tavern…
Women in Business | Fleur Blake, Baker of the Year 2025
Fleur Blake has long been a local and legendary baker for Woolworths, having spent more than 25 years perfecting her craft and skills. Currently…
Women in Business | Cindy Moran
For the past three decades, Cindy Moran has worked throughout various roles in hospitality in every corner of the sector. Having joined the workforce…
Women in Business | Gill French, The Blue Breeze Inn
Gill French always had the desire to travel from a very young age. She was sure this was due to all the travelling her…
Women in Business | Brittany Yeng, Skrewball
For Brittany Yeng, the path to Skrewball was non-linear, but that is exactly at the heart of Skrewball’s ethos. Brittany Yeng started in chemistry,…
Women in Business | Diana Katardzhieva
Diana Katardzhieva is a winemaker whose instinctive touch with the grape comes from her family heritage. A Bulgarian winemaker in New Zealand, Diana Katardzhieva,…
Women in Business | Helen Dorresteyn, Clevedon Buffalo Co
Helen Dorresteyn said that her route to becoming a farmer was circuitous, stemming from the dream she had of living on a farm at…
Women in Business | Clare van den Berg
Clare van den Berg has become one of Auckland’s most successful restauranteurs, with eateries such as Odettes and Daphnes in Ponsonby. Having completed a…
Women in Business | Adriana Ferdian, Bali Nights
Adriana Ferdian has built a career by following her passions, from technology and software to hospitality. A tech product marketer by trade, Adriana Ferdian…
WOMEN IN BUSINESS | PATSY BASS, REEFTON DISTILLING CO.
Patsy Bass has become one of the most influential figures in New Zealand’s distilling sector, fuelled by her passion for home. Born and raised…
WOMEN In Business | Chand Sahrawat
From foodservice to product development, Chand Sahrawat has become a leader within the local hospitality sector. Chand Sahrawat moved to New Zealand as an…
Women in Business | Lucile Fortuna, Ahi.
Lucile Fortuna has had a passion for the hospitality industry from a young age. Some of her earliest memories stem from her uncle’s restaurant…
Women in Business | Lisa Levy, INATI
Lisa Levy’s family has a rich history in the New Zealand food industry. The great-granddaughter of Sir James Wattie, Levy grew up on an…
Women in Business | Annabelle White, Food Editor
Annabelle White is a familiar face in the New Zealand food industry, having been an accomplished cook, food writer, and television cook throughout her…
Women In Business | Kirsty McKay, Sawmill Brewery
The brewing industry has long been a passion for Mike Sutherland and Kirsty McKay. Having worked as lawyers and exporters, they desired to channel…
Woman In Business | Petra Galler, Butter Butter
Despite initially choosing to study psychology at Auckland University, renowned pastry chef Petra Galler’s passion for food led her to pursue a career as…
Women In Business | Julie Clark, Loretta & Floriditas
The hospitality industry has always held a special allure for Julie Clark, stemming from her father’s work as the area manager for T G…
Women In Business | Ava Nakagawa, Beer Baroness
As the daughter of pub owners, Ava Nakagawa began working in the hospitality field when she was sixteen and eventually found her passion for…
Women In Business | Hannah Miller, A Lady Butcher
Hannah Miller, owner of A Lady Butcher, commenced her professional journey as a chef, driven by a passion for fine cuisine since her early…
Women In Business | Megan Wyper, ACME
For some, coffee is more than just an energy boost; it is a lifestyle. Megan Wyper, director at Acme Cups, said her love for…
Women In Business | Erin Clarkson, Cloudy Kitchen
Initially starting her career as a geologist, Cloudy Kitchen founder Erin Clarkson found her love for baking whilst suffering from homesickness. After moving her…
Women In Business | Desiree Reid, Cardrona Distillery
For some, creating and founding a business can be a daunting task. However, Desiree Reid, managing director at Cardrona Distillery, knew owning a business…
Women In Business | Claire Edwards, Tora Collective
The seafood industry has been the focus of Claire Edwards’ attention, not due to inspiration in the traditional sense but rather out of a…
Women In Business | Drissilla David, Maison Des Lys
Balancing being a mother and working is a challenge most women must navigate, but doing both while opening a French patisserie requires even more…