Jon Calder
Jon Calder’s remarkable journey from university dropout and baggage handler to a leader in New Zealand’s legal market showcases his tenacity, continuous learning, and visionary leadership.
Earning an MBA from the University of Waikato and attending Harvard and Stanford, Jon’s academic efforts laid the groundwork for his successful career. Despite battling and overcoming an aggressive cancer, Jon’s resilience shone through, adding a powerful dimension to his story.
Professionally, he has held crucial roles at Air New Zealand, Infratil, and as CEO of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, before leading Tompkins Wake. Under his guidance since 2016, the firm has risen to be among New Zealand’s top 10 law firms, repeatedly recognized at the New Zealand Law Awards and winning titles like Mid-size Law Firm of the Year. Awarded Managing Partner of the Year in 2019 and 2020, and Chief Executive of the Year in 2018, Jon’s influence was also acknowledged in NZ Lawyer’s 2021 Most Influential Lawyers list, despite him not having a formal law qualification.
Jon credits his success to passion, mentorship, and a leadership philosophy that values lifelong learning and community contribution. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and innovation in leadership, offering valuable insights for those navigating their paths to success. Jon Calder exemplifies how unconventional routes can lead to exceptional outcomes, making his experiences and wisdom especially relevant for audiences at Essential Talent.
