Explore what leadership could look like for you through the experiences of those who’ve already walked the path

The Executive Edge 2025: Charting Your Path To Executive Leadership

Explore what leadership could look like for you through the experiences of those who’ve already walked the path.

We were thrilled to host our second Executive Edge event yesterday morning, welcoming a room full of ambitious emerging leaders, with many more joining us via livestream. Together, we took a deep dive into the realities of executive leadership: the mindset, decisions, and strategies that truly drive success at the top.

Our inspiring panel shared their journeys with candour, generosity, and plenty of hard-earned wisdom. From bold career pivots to leading through complexity, the conversation was rich with insights for anyone ready to step up and make an impact.

Career-defining moments often come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s switching industries, relocating, or taking on a stretch role, progress requires courage, not certainty.

Staying curious about the business, people, and environment is a game-changer. It opens doors, builds influence, and helps leaders navigate complexity with confidence.

Decision-making at the executive level is fast-paced and imperfect. The key is to act with intent, learn quickly, and adapt. Most decisions aren’t final - what matters is momentum and reflection.

Leadership is about perspective, not perfection

Peak performance requires purposeful recovery, therefore it is important to protect your energy through habits of exercise, reflection, clear boundaries, and timely resets.

As technology reshapes the workplace, leadership fundamentals remain constant. Purpose-driven direction, empowered teams, and a growth mindset are essential to thrive in a fast-changing world.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online. We’re proud to create space for these conversations and play a role in shaping the next generation of executive leaders.

And a heartfelt thanks to our incredible panel for their generosity, openness, and inspiring insights:

Thérèse Singleton - Chief Executive Officer, Ando Insurance + Non-Executive Director, NZ Financial Services Group

Mark Ryland - Non-Executive Director, AA Insurance

Liz O'Neil - Chief Financial Officer, Kāinga Ora

Blair Robinson - Chief Commercial Officer, Wet & Forget

If you were unable to join live or would like to revisit any part of this discussion, you can watch the full webinar recording [1:19:36] on our Convergence YouTube channel below. We hope this conversation gives you something useful to take back into your organisation 👇

Leadership career insights and advice from Anna Scott, Jeff McDowell, Jo Hilson, and Tim Poonan.

Technology, Transformation & Change Recruitment

Supply Chain, Operations & Procurement Recruitment

Dave is a founding Partner at Convergence.

He joined the recruitment industry in the UK in 2004, before relocating to New Zealand in 2007. Dave’s focus is leading and supporting the Convergence team, as well as driving our research and insights initiatives. He undertakes searches for positions within People & Culture, and is endlessly intrigued by leadership, organisational dynamics, and the quest for the perfect selection process. Dave has built a reputation as a trusted partner to organisations and is available to assist with talent related challenges, including capability benchmarking, succession planning, and market intelligence.

Dave holds a master’s degree in commercialisation and is passionate about helping 'NZ Inc' to capitalise on its strong base of scientific research. He frequently acts as a commercialisation mentor to emerging innovators in public research organisations via the Kiwi Innovation Network.

Outside work, he lives with his family in beautiful Whangaparaoa, and loves spending time outdoors trail running and mountain biking.

Dave Rees

Dave is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on leadership and specialist positions across Human Resources (HR).

Dave Rees | Managing Partner | Convergence

Liz has been a key member of the Convergence support team since 2012. A 'Jill of all trades', she works magic behind the scenes, using her creativity to showcase our brand and share our story across all marketing and communication touchpoints. In addition, she manages a wide range of internal and external business projects for our team.

She has significant industry experience, having previously spent 10 years with an executive recruitment company in a multifaceted  marketing / PA / training capacity.

Liz Collings

Liz is a key member of the Convergence support team, using her creativity to showcase our brand and share our story across all marketing and communication touchpoints.

Liz Collings | Marketing, Communications & Project Support | Convergence

Claire started her recruitment career in the UK, managing a portfolio for a London based boutique recruitment firm. In addition, she gained valuable experience working within the charitable sector with a specific focus on research and project support.

After returning to NZ in 2015, Claire joined an ASX listed specialist agency and has since specialised in Mid to Senior recruitment roles across Finance, Technology, Transformation and Change.

With Technology and Digital Transformation a primary driver of business innovation, Claire understands the added value of “fit” when recruiting top technology talent and is thoroughly committed to aligning candidates to the right role and organisation in which to succeed.

Claire Gibson

Claire is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on mid and senior leadership and specialist positions across Data, BI & Analytics, Project Delivery, Agile & Digital, Architecture, Cyber Security & Cloud, and Software Development & DevOps.

Claire Gibson | Technology, Transformation & Change Recruitment

Data, BI & Analytics

Project Delivery

Architecture, Cyber Security & Cloud

Functional & Technical Consultants

Agile & Digital Software / Development & DevOps

Michelle entered the recruitment industry and focused on Finance before moving into the Professional Services sector. She gained experience working alongside companies designing and delivering technical assessment and talent management solutions. In addition, she has managed her own recruitment consulting firm specialising in Supply Chain, Finance and IT roles.

With significant international and local recruiting experience, Michelle now specialises in Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement and Technical roles.

Michelle Elsley

Michelle is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on mid and senior leadership and specialist positions across Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing & Engineering.

Michelle Elsley | Supply Chain, Operations & Procurement Recruitment | Manufacturing & Engineering Recruitment

Manufacturing, Technical & Engineering Recruitment

With over a decade of recruitment experience, Amelia is a trusted expert known for her deep industry knowledge and genuine care in every interaction. Her broad expertise has spanned a range of functional disciplines, making her a versatile advisor to both clients and candidates. Amelia is highly regarded for her ability to connect the right people with the right opportunities - always with insight and integrity. 

Amelia specialises in recruiting permanent and contract professionals for key roles within the Financial Services sector. Her coverage includes Business Development, Account Management & Distribution, Wealth / Financial Advisers and Planners, Insurance Brokers, Client Services, as well as Middle & Back Office Operations roles. 

She leverages an extensive network of professional contacts to connect organisations with exceptional sales, advisory, client service, and operations talent.

Amelia Nelson

Amelia is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on key permanent and contract roles within the Financial Services sector.

Amelia Nelson | Associate Partner - Financial Services

Advisory & Brokerage

Business Development & Distribution

Sales Support & Client Engagement

Middle & Back Office

Erin moved into the recruitment industry after a successful career spanning the consumer & professional electronics, IT and export sectors, principally with the leading global electronics giant, Sony, where she was a member of the NZ and ANZ leadership team. Prior to this, Erin enjoyed a Sales & Marketing career including sales team leadership, business unit management, brand and product management, marketing communications, and business development.

Erin offers a wealth of expertise across sales & marketing functions coupled with many years’ experience within executive search and recruitment.

Erin Kirk

Erin is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on mid and senior leadership and specialist positions across Marketing, Digital & Sales.

Erin Kirk | Marketing & Digital Recruitment | Sales Recruitment

Marketing & Digital Recruitment

Sales Recruitment

Graduating from Otago with an LLB, Jenny relocated to the UK where she spent 8 years recruiting within the Investment Banking and Asset Management sectors, with a focus on Risk, Compliance and Regulatory roles.

Since her return to New Zealand in 2012, Jenny has consulted to a range of sectors including Property, FMCG, Funds Management and Insurance with coverage of Legal, Risk & Compliance, and Actuarial recruitment.

Jenny Parker

Jenny is a seasoned recruitment consultant focused on mid and senior leadership and specialist positions across Compliance, Risk, In-house Legal & Actuarial.

Jenny Parker | Compliance & Risk Recruitment | In-house Legal Recruitment | Actuarial Recruitment

Compliance & Risk Recruitment

Legal Recruitment

Actuarial Recruitment

With a 15 year background in Sales & Marketing, Suzie was in a Sales role at a management level working with leading corporates when she moved into recruitment. Consulting across several sectors, she has recruited multiple disciplines at an executive  level with a speciality in HR recruitment. This led to Suzie's interest in talent research and mapping.

With experience in searching for that 'hard-to-find' talent, Suzie has provided effective strategies and solutions around talent identification for a diverse mix of industries and enjoys developing innovative sourcing solutions for clients.

Suzie Thumath

Suzie implements our recruitment discovery process, harnessing market intelligence for candidate generation and market mapping.

The Executive Edge 2025: Charting Your Path To Executive Leadership

Key Insights

Here are a few of the key takeaways our panel shared:

Back yourself

Curiosity is your superpower

Leadership is about perspective, not perfection

Resilience is built, not born

The future demands agility and purpose

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