Trailblazing CEO, entrepreneur and philanthropist

Overview

Dame Theresa Gattung is one of the most influential figures in New Zealand business. As CEO of Telecom New Zealand from 1999 to 2007 she became the first woman to lead an NZX-listed company, and she has since built a second career as an entrepreneur, governance leader and philanthropist. She brings audiences a rare blend of corporate scale, founder grit and clear-eyed views on the future of leadership.

Who is Dame Theresa Gattung? Born in Wellington, Theresa studied management at the University of Waikato and was appointed CEO of Telecom at 37. She later co-founded My Food Bag with Cecilia Robinson and Nadia Lim, growing it past $100 million in revenue in its first three years. She is the author of the best-selling memoir Bird on a Wire (Penguin NZ, 2010) and was named in Fortune's list of the world's 50 most powerful women in international business multiple times. She was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024.

Career Highlights

• CEO of Telecom New Zealand 1999–2007, first female CEO of an NZX-listed company

• Co-founder of My Food Bag

• Author of Bird on a Wire (Penguin NZ, 2010)

• Former Chair of AIA New Zealand (2018–2025); Chair of Tend; Chair of Global Women

• Founder of the Gattung Foundation (2021)

• Funder of the Dame Theresa Gattung Chair of Women in Entrepreneurship, University of Auckland Business School

• New Zealand lead of Coralus (formerly SheEO)

• DNZM in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours

• Honorary Doctor of Commerce, Victoria University of Wellington, 2025

Key Speaking Themes

• Leadership at scale and leading through change

• Women in business, governance and entrepreneurship

• Founder lessons from My Food Bag

• Philanthropy and purpose-led leadership

• The future of New Zealand business and the gender investment gap

What Your Audience Will Gain Dame Theresa brings the perspective of someone who has led at the very top of corporate New Zealand, co-founded one of its most recognisable consumer brands, and now backs the next generation of women founders. Audiences leave with conviction, candour and a clearer view of what great leadership looks like.

Ideal For

• CEO and leadership conferences

• Women in business and Champions for Change events

• Entrepreneurship and founder programmes

• Board, governance and AGM events

• Philanthropy and purpose-led summits

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Dame Theresa Gattung speak about? Leadership, women in business, entrepreneurship, governance, philanthropy and the future of New Zealand business.

What is Dame Theresa Gattung known for? Being the first female CEO of an NZX-listed company at Telecom New Zealand, and co-founding My Food Bag.

Has Dame Theresa Gattung written a book? Yes. Bird on a Wire: The inside story from a straight-talking CEO was published by Penguin NZ in 2010.

What boards does Dame Theresa Gattung chair? She is former Chair of AIA New Zealand (2018–2025), and currently Chair of Tend and Chair of Global Women.

When was Theresa Gattung made a Dame? In the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, for services to women, governance and philanthropy.

How long is a typical keynote? 45 minutes is standard with Q&A optional. Fireside chats and panel formats are also available.