Women in Business | Kim MacKenzie, Four Square Fairlie
According to Kim MacKenzie, at certain stages in life, it is valuable to reflect on whether one is truly where one wants to be….

According to Kim MacKenzie, at certain stages in life, it is valuable to reflect on whether one is truly where one wants to be….
Sarah Richardson didn’t enter the industry with a grand plan; it was more a case of following interesting opportunities. Early on in her career,…
After completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Marketing at the University of Auckland, Su-Lyn Wee decided to gain some work experience in New…
Almost three decades ago, at 21, Kelly Taylor began her journey in this industry. According to Taylor, it was a great industry to be…
Amanda Earl completed a conjoint degree in Commerce and Property at the University of Auckland, where she first became interested in FMCG. Around the…
Fiona MacMillan, Executive Director, PIANZ (Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand), was drawn to the challenge of helping people prepare for a major and…
A genuine love of food and the opportunity to positively influence customers in their everyday lives inspired Shannon Kelly to join the grocery sector….
Raewyn Bleakley, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council, has enjoyed working with a wide range of dynamic people who navigate…
Renee Stuart, Co-CEO and founder of MOXX Brands, is absolutely energised by the fast-paced nature of the consumer goods industry. She said something was…
Jacqueline Parekh has a background in management consulting, with 25 years of experience at Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Accenture, particularly in the natural…
Having started in marketing, Diana Sinclair quickly gravitated towards CRM and loyalty because of its ability to directly influence customer behaviour and commercial outcomes….
Sonia Beal was drawn to her current role and to Foodstuffs after observing the co-op’s public relations response during the pandemic. The clarity, steadiness…
Deborah Cooper, Sales Director (non-licensed) – New Zealand, Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, studied marketing and accounting at university as she was keen to…
From owning two small Dunedin stores to building one of New Zealand’s most recognisable convenience brands, Denise Lane has shaped Night ’n Day through…
Fiona Rowan, CFO at APCO Service Stations Pty Ltd, was drawn to the retail and fuel industry for its fast-paced, people-focused, and constantly evolving…
At a young age, Regina Huang, Foodstuffs North Island Commercial Buying Manager, asked herself a simple question: What do people need every single day?…
From her teen years onward, Caro Gibson was interested in all things news, anything in popular culture that showed the buzz of a newsroom…
Aparna Watal’s path into intellectual property law wasn’t linear; she originally trained as a chemical engineer, which gave her a strong analytical foundation and…
Since the beginning of her retail career, Kellie Struth has been drawn to the pace and the clear link between effort and results. She…
As the Head of Loyalty at Z Energy, Bronwyn Barberel, holds end-to-end responsibility for the delivery of two loyalty programmes in the New Zealand…
Originally trained as a veterinary nurse in the UK, Lindsey Ward relocated to Hong Kong and quickly realised there were limited professional opportunities for…
Nomu Matcha was born from equal parts obsession and rebellion. After noticing the rise in low-quality, poorly prepared matcha, mother-daughter duo Karen Parsons and…
Nicole Ralston was drawn to the fast‑paced environment of FMCG and grocery, where the impact of one’s work is immediately visible. The combination of…
Growing up in the Central Plateau of New Zealand, surrounded by the native flora and fauna, sparked a deep passion for nature in Helen…
Stephanie Wrathall, Project Manager at United Fresh New Zealand Incorporated, fell into the world of fresh produce through a bit of luck. However, the…
A Family Legacy Built on Grit and Heart Kayes Bakery has been part of Luella Penniall’s life for as long as she can remember….
Founder and director of The Lucky Taco, Sarah Frizzell was a designer and art director in the advertising industry for eight years before tacos…
Lisa Oldershaw, Foodstuffs North Island General Manager, Own Brands, was seeking a faster-paced, larger-scale food business to further her career. Having always loved supermarkets,…
Wendy Hammonds, Foodstuffs North Island General Manager, People & Capability, has a multi-industry background, driven by her fascination with emerging industries and their challenges…
Managing Director IFPA A-NZ, Belinda Wilson, was always drawn to industries that sat at the intersection of people, impact and systems. Food, particularly fresh…
Summer Pringle was always drawn to work where accountability mattered, and decisions had a direct impact on people, communities, and public confidence. Early in…
Jill Holdem, head baker at Four Square Shannon, had always loved baking, learning from her mother and grandmother as she grew up. She began…
In the fast-moving world of frozen goods, retailers and category managers look for two things: proven quality and guaranteed sales performance. Pierogi Joint delivers…
From superyachts in the Mediterranean to supermarket aisles back home, Janine Baldwin has charted a career that’s anything but ordinary. Now stepping into her…
The Korean skincare market has been known to be famously saturated, but Vicky Cullinane, co-founder of Lemon & Beaker, saw that as an opportunity…
For too long, the category of protection has been dominated by male-led innovation, shaped by outdated norms and limited by stigma. Condoms were traditionally…
Rotea Katu-Smythe has constantly evolved throughout her career in the FMCG industry. The industry’s dynamic, ever-changing nature has provided her with numerous growth opportunities….
Shannon Sutherland’s first job as a young adult was in the food manufacturing industry. Sutherland found it interesting because she got to work with…
“I can’t imagine ever having a career outside of food and beverage. It’s literally in my veins.” Despite having a background in nutrition, Casey…
Two early experiences at high school, being involved in the Young Enterprise Scheme and spending a work experience week at the Hubbards cereal factory,…
Supply chain manager at Hutchinsons, Xandria Chong has worked in the FMCG sector for over two decades. This 25-year journey has been enriching for…
In Indian culture, food is more than just sustenance—it’s an emotion, a comfort, and a way of expressing love. With food and business running…
Having turned vegan in 2004, Alice Shopland thought it was the best decision she had ever made due to its positive environmental impact. This…
The advertising industry can be hugely rewarding for those who love change and challenge. Initially driven by the idea of being in a creative…
Katherine Ledger’s journey into the industry started with a genuine love for figuring out how food and beverages can be marketed to people and…
After university, finding a job was challenging for Laura Feavearyear due to her visual impairment. She decided to create opportunities for herself, built a…
National Distribution Manager at Wattie’s (Kraft Heinz), Charity Peters, has always enjoyed working in fast-paced environments and seeing the direct impact of her efforts….
PAUSE for Tea started as a deeply personal journey for founder Timmy Smith – Whakatōhea, Te Ūpokorehe, Ngāti Porou. Over 20 years ago, Smith…
Growing up, Saskia White was always drawn to creative outlets like graphic design, photography and crafting. She was unsure about her career path until…
A passion for flavour and creating magical sensory experiences through dining inspired Kelly Baker, who until recently was the operations manager at Island Gelato…
Lyndsey Cassidy found it was important that her career reflected what she loved most in her personal life. “After all, we spend the better…
26-year-old Auckland-based entrepreneur Kate Gatfield-Jeffries turned down a six-figure corporate job offer to pursue her vision for a wellness brand. As co-founder of Moodi,…
Having spent over 12 years in television media sales in India and New Zealand, Leena Khilnani was ready for a new challenge. Coincidentally, she…
“I am very fortunate to say that I have loved every job I have had over my 25-year career.” Chief R&D Officer at Suntory…
Hailing from the UK, Ayesha Connaughton began her career as an assistant category manager at Tesco’s headquarters. “It’s a rather unusual story, but what…
At JR Wholesale Meats, women have broken barriers and redefined roles in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Many of these women never anticipated…
Director and co-founder of Malocchio Drinks, Anna Chiera, moved to Melbourne from Auckland in 2009 and has spent 11 years in the fashion industry….
New Zealand company Cleanery produces affordable, effective, sustainable cleaning and personal care products. Its origins lay in the home of its founders, husband and…
The plastic epidemic is well known, but did you know that a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters the oceans every minute? Cleaning products…
Recognising a gap in the market for delicious plant-based milk chocolate, Kate Necklen and her husband Scott started Wonderland Chocolate. Their purpose was to…
L’Oréal’s advertising strategy during the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 has effectively harnessed empowerment, beauty innovation, and inclusivity to engage diverse consumers. By blending…
Stephanie Browning, New World South Island Group Manager, brings a depth of experience to her role and a passion for the industry that has…
Since joining the industry at 18, Karen Kenny has almost four decades of experience in the FMCG and Grocery industry. Her first role was…
Women in Business, Kaite Jackson. Inspired by Mother Nature and the farms in Aotearoa’s countryside while travelling and picking fruits and veggies, Katie Jackson…
Fiona Tomlinson’s story stands out as a testament to resilience and determination and in FMCG, where success often hinges on innovation and adaptability her…
Women in Business, Anu Deva | The FMCG industry is highly inspiring and innovative, living up to its name. It impacts every individual in…
Women in Business, Maree Glading: Owner of skincare brand Evre, Maree Glading identified and wanted to solve a problem within the industry. Inspired by…
Women in Business, Julia Illera: Witnessing the importance of strategic thinking and market dynamics within the coffee industry inspired Euromonitor International research manager Julia…
Emily Dowling, General Manager of Mars for New Zealand, has been with the business for almost 20 years. She started as a sales graduate…
Keely Pipkin, head of sales at Nestlé Purina PetCare, found her beginning in a short-term merchandising role and fell in love with the industry. Her goal was…
Working in public relations captivated Marian Pagulayan, PR & communications manager, South APAC, for Mintel, due to its dynamic nature and diverse stakeholders. In…
Women in Business, Latesha Randall: Having always been a foodie, Latesha Randall spent many happy hours in her early twenties wandering the aisles of…
Renee Lee, co-founder and COO of MOXX Brands, started her career in consumer goods after consulting and marketing for a friend. “I loved it,”…
Kate Trufitt, six months into the Potatoes New Zealand chief executive role, has enthusiastically embraced the challenges and opportunities. With a wealth of experience…
Deanna Chiang, after completing her studies was given a choice between working for an insurance company or Nestle, and insurance didn’t appeal to or…
Women in Business | Chloe van Dyke, Chia Sisters. Growing up with a sister who was a competitive athlete and having a swimming champion…
Newly appointed General Manager of Kellogg’s New Zealand, Janine Baldwin, initially had entirely different aspirations for her career. Having studied and earned a degree…
Inspired by her father, who worked for a number of large New Zealand exporters, Josette Prince decided to study commerce at Otago University, with…
Anna Subritzky has announced the launch of ACS Consulting, of which she is the director. The move follows her obtainment of 17 years of…
Millicent O’Connor was first inspired to enter the world of supermarket retail after hearing about the abundance of opportunities available. “It seemed like it…
Butcher apprentice, Jess Hudson from Four Square Port Chalmers, has just celebrated the completion of a gruelling three-year butchery apprenticeship programme, a unique, first-of-its-kind…
Nicola Hallett has been an integral part of the PAK’nSAVE team in Whanganui for the last 12 years. During this time, Nicola has had…
Head of marketing at Tom & Luke, Rachel Morrison, began her journey in the food industry while at university, involving herself in sales and…
Lisette Godinez has always been fascinated by what motivates people to do the things that they do – including why they decide to purchase…
March 8th marks International Women’s Day and we are celebrating women in business across the FMCG industry. READ MORE READ MORE READ MORE READ…
Suzie Corser is a senior commercial manager at Frucor Suntory, a distributor of some of Australasia’s most popular brands. With a background in financial…
Co-founder of Raglan Food Co, Tesh Randall, has had a passion for food and all it encompasses, since childhood. “I’ve always loved the food….
Sherry Cheng’s interest in consumer products that prioritise environmental and social responsibility and mission, alongside her goal to make personal contributions to sustainable practices,…
With 25 years of brand and marketing management experience in New Zealand and the U.K, Andrea Wilkins began her successful career at Progressive Enterprises…
Nikki Neate, the marketing manager for Proper Crisps, has always had a passion for food. She transitioned from the TV industry following a 20-year…
For Tamra Lindsay, marketing in FMCG combines multiple passions of her – people, communicating, creating and food. She first became interested in branding when…
Renata Holicova has always had a clear mission in mind when creating her business: to create healthy, nutritious food that is packaged in an…
Originally working in property management, Debbie McKay is thankful that she took the leap and moved into the world of FMCG. Currently the territory…
After spending a decade as a florist, Sophie Cooper remembers that one of her favourite floristry jobs was for a woman who also owned…
Innovation manager at Essano Beauty, Marissa Kan knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the beauty industry. After observing her…
Jemma Turner is the director of Mylk Made, a company that produces plant-based milk concentrates, or “mylk bases.” Although she’s always been interested in…