The Executive Edge 2025:

Charting Your Path To Executive Leadership

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.

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

💡 Back yourself: 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.

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

💡Leadership is about perspective, not perfection: 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.

💡Resilience is built, not born: Peak performance requires purposeful recovery, therefore it is important to protect your energy through habits of exercise, reflection, clear boundaries, and timely resets.

💡The future demands agility and purpose: 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