Dame Joan Withers
Dame Joan Withers is one of New Zealand’s most respected and influential business leaders, with a distinguished career spanning media, governance, and the boardrooms of some of the country’s most significant organisations.
She currently serves as a director of Sky Network Television and ASX-listed Origin Energy, and has also been a long-standing director of ANZ New Zealand. Earlier in her career, Dame Joan held chief executive roles at Fairfax New Zealand and The Radio Network, leading major media businesses through periods of significant industry transformation.
She is also the author of two books, A Girl’s Guide to Business and A Woman’s Place, both published by Penguin Random House, sharing insights and lessons from her journey through leadership and governance.
Over the past two decades, Dame Joan has built an influential governance career, serving on and chairing a number of major boards including The Warehouse Group, Mercury NZ, TVNZ and Auckland International Airport. Her experience across listed companies, state-owned enterprises and large private organisations gives her a unique perspective on leadership, governance and navigating complex change.
Known for her clear thinking and pragmatic leadership style, Dame Joan delivers practical insights on governance, decision-making, organisational culture and leading through uncertainty.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to business and governance in New Zealand, she was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024 and was inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame in 2025.
