Whether you're planning your next move or simply curious about where leadership could take you, hear from those who’ve walked the path

The Executive Edge 2024: Charting Your Path To Executive Leadership

Whether you're planning your next move or simply curious about where leadership could take you, hear from those who’ve walked the path.

We were delighted to host our inaugural Executive Edge event, bringing together aspiring and emerging leaders for an honest conversation about what it really takes to step into executive leadership.

Drawing on their own career journeys, our panel shared practical lessons on navigating career transitions, leading with influence, building credibility, and balancing the realities of executive responsibility.

The discussion highlighted that executive leadership is rarely a straight path. Success often comes from embracing opportunities, learning through experience, building strong relationships, and having the confidence to step beyond your comfort zone.

Success is no longer defined by being the technical expert, but by understanding the wider business, influencing outcomes, and contributing to the organisation's overall direction.

Executive leadership requires a shift from functional expertise to enterprise thinking

Leading strategic projects, presenting to boards, and taking on challenges beyond your current role can build credibility, confidence, and open doors to future leadership opportunities.

Career-defining opportunities often come through stretch assignments and visibility

Trusted advisors provide guidance during periods of uncertainty, while champions advocate for your potential and help create opportunities that may not otherwise be available.

Mentors, sponsors and champions can accelerate growth

Building high-performing teams, fostering trust, developing relationships, and creating alignment across stakeholders are often more important than technical capability alone.

People leadership becomes the most important part of the role

As technology and AI reshape workplaces, leaders will need to embrace continuous learning while creating cultures where people feel connected, supported, and motivated by purpose.

The future of leadership will depend on adaptability and human connection

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online. We're proud to create opportunities for emerging and aspiring leaders to learn from those who have navigated the realities of executive leadership firsthand. The discussion was candid, practical, and packed with valuable lessons on leadership, career growth, decision-making, and leading through complexity.

And a heartfelt thank you to our fantastic panel for generously sharing their experiences, perspectives, and advice:

Anna Scott (CEO, Smart), Jeff McDowall (Non-Executive Director, Syft Technologies and former CFO, Air New Zealand), Jo Hilson (CTO, Tourism Holdings Limited), and Tim Poonan (CFO, Airways New Zealand)

Anna Scott - Chief Executive Officer, Smart

Jeff McDowell - Non-Executive Director, Syft Technologies and former CFO, Air New Zealand

Jo Hilson - Chief Technology Officer, Tourism Holdings Limited

Tim Poonan - Chief Financial Officer, Airways New Zealand

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.