PowHer

In this episode we’re joined by Alicia McKay - a straight-talking strategist, author, and one of the world’s top thinkers in local government. Known for her bold perspectives, Alicia dives into what leadership really looks like in today’s uncertain, AI-driven world.

This conversation explores the challenges of modern leadership in an era defined by constant uncertainty, where many leaders feel stuck due to a lack of clarity rather than capability. Alicia McKay argues that overthinking and inaction are often driven by missing perspective, and that decisive action - despite imperfect information - is more effective than waiting for certainty. She also raises concerns about growing reliance on AI, warning that while it offers fast, confident answers, it risks eroding independent thought, creativity, and human agency, while creating larger issues around power and accountability. The discussion highlights that barriers for women in leadership are not simply about confidence but are rooted in structural inequalities and the disproportionate mental and domestic load they carry. Ultimately, the conversation emphasises the importance of retaining human judgment, creativity, and authenticity, suggesting these will become even more valuable as technology advances.

Alicia McKay is a straight-talking strategist. Author, speaker, consultant and entrepreneur, Alicia has worked with over 120 organisations, from tiny charities and rural Councils to global corporations and federal agencies.

She specialises in strategy, decision-making and change, with particular expertise in the public sector. In 2025, Alicia was named one of the world’s Top 25 Thinkers in Local Government by the UK's LGIU. Alicia speaks to conferences and the media and is a trusted advisor to local, state and federal governments. Her strategy models and decision frameworks are used worldwide.

Alicia runs signature courses including Not An MBA, Strategic Public Leaders, and Local Legends. She is a prolific writer, publishing a popular weekly newsletter and regular essays on power, systems and culture. Alicia is the author of three books -From Strategy to Action, You Don’t Need An MBA, and Local Legends.

Learn more at www.aliciamckay.co.nz or follow Alicia on LinkedIn.

In this episode, change-maker and leader Ziena Jalil shares her journey from international student to senior leader, highlighting how opportunity, mentorship, and global experience have shaped her path and reinforcing that while talent is everywhere, opportunity is not. She emphasises the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and purpose in navigating challenges and leading across cultures, while encouraging leaders to recognise Aotearoa’s place in an interconnected world. Ziena outlines the key traits needed for modern leadership—clear communication, presence, and leading with purpose—stressing that leadership is not defined by titles but by impact at all levels. She also reflects on the importance of strong support systems and community in sustaining resilience, and shares insights from her work with Hato Hone St John, particularly around public health priorities like cardiac arrest survival and falls prevention, with a focus on addressing equity gaps.

A strategic and influential executive leader with over 20 years of award-winning experience across diplomacy, business, and public sector leadership in New Zealand and Asia – Ziena is known for building trusted relationships across cultures and systems to deliver inclusive, lasting impact.

Recognised by the global Stevie Awards for Women in Business in the Female Executive of the Year (Government or Not for Profit) category, Ziena has significant experience in large, complex organisations, and has led major initiatives and high performing teams across a multitude of sectors.

Prior to joining Hato Hone St John in 2025 as Deputy Chief Executive Strategy and Executive Operations, she was Deputy Chief Executive at Te Pūkenga and served on the boards of the Natural Hazards Commission, Education New Zealand, DNA, Asia New Zealand Foundation, ATEED and the Cancer Society. She has also received several international awards for her work advancing New Zealand’s profile and partnerships in Asia, where she was based for ten years as Regional Director (South and Southeast Asia) for Education New Zealand, New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Singapore, and Head of North Asia Marketing and Communications for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. 

A member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, Global Women and Asia 21, Ziena is an internationally recognised speaker, MC and facilitator, and brings a strong commitment to leadership, equity and purpose.

In this episode, Sarah Connor shares how her own unexpected experience with perimenopause led her to become a powerful advocate for change. Through her initiative Menopause Over Martinis, she’s helping break the silence around menopause and create open, supportive conversations in communities and workplaces.

Sarah highlights how little many people know about menopause, the wide range of symptoms women face, and the impact it can have - especially at the peak of their careers. She emphasises the importance of education, empathy, and practical workplace support, as well as including men in the conversation.

As a guest speaker and advocate, Sarah facilitates conversations and

shares resources about menopause/ruahinetanga with workplaces,

networks and associations all over Aotearoa and the world. So far, Sarah

has shared her lived experience and knowledge with 50+ organisations

including Air New Zealand, Xero, Sharesies, the New Zealand Defence

Force, Inland Revenue, MBIE, various city councils and the PPTA.

She’s also a writer and campaigner for change. While Sarah is not a

doctor, she’s been exploring, writing and talking about menopause since

2019 when perimenopause impacted every aspect of her health and

wellbeing in a significant way.

www.sarahconnor.co.nz

www.menopauseovermartinis.org

www.women.govt.nz/menopause - an online guide to help organisations, regardless of type and size, be informed, and supportive of employees going through menopause

https://www.women.govt.nz/gender-pay-gaps/gender-pay-gap-toolkit - helping employers understand, measure, and take action to close gender pay gaps

https://www.women.govt.nz/womens-safety/free-lead-toolkit - supporting women with a public profile or who use online spaces as part of their mahi, and their employers, to be safe online

https://www.women.govt.nz/women-leadership/register-with-BoardConnector - supporting women interested in governance positions within the public sector by sharing opportunities about available roles and training opportunities

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-connor-075b68161/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahconnor_stories/

www.jessstuart.co.nz

In this episode I speak with Dr Michelle McQuaid, a researcher and workplace wellbeing expert, who translates insights from positive psychology, neuroscience, and organisational science into practical tools for leaders. The conversation explores how leaders can support wellbeing, navigate constant change, and lead effectively in an increasingly complex world.

Dr Michelle McQuaid is an award-winning researcher, LinkedIn Top Voice for Mental Health, and honorary fellow at Melbourne University's Centre for Wellbeing Science. She translates cutting-edge research into practical strategies that help care for wellbeing, supercharge psychosocial safety, and co-create change in workplaces, schools, and communities. With nine best-selling books and over 250 podcast interviews with leading researchers, Michelle's work regularly appears in Psychology Today, Forbes, and media outlets around the world. Drawing from personal experience and scientific expertise, she creates playful, practical approaches to help people thrive, even during the most challenging of times.

www.michellemcquaid.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chellemcquaid/

www.jessstuart.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-stuart-559a7940/

This podcast episode features Alison (Ali) Mau - an award-winning New Zealand journalist with 30+ years in TV, radio, and print, a #MeToo advocate, and co-founder of Tika, a charity supporting survivors of sexual harm. Ali also released a bestselling memoir, No Words for This, in 2024.

This episode covers Ali's career journey, the challenges of speaking truth to power, her personal experience as a survivor, and the launch of her landmark tech platform Tika.

https://www.tika.org.nz/

https://www.tiktok.com/@tika.org.nz/video/7594313527926476052?q=Tika&t=1772508018703

https://www.instagram.com/tika.nz/

www.jessstuart.co.nz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-stuart-559a7940/

The latest podcast episode features comedian, writer and social commentator Michele A'Court. Michele reflects on her career in comedy, challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, experiences with harassment, the impact of the #MeToo movement, and the importance of collaboration and support networks. The episode explores self-doubt, personal growth, activism, and identity in Aotearoa. The conversation mixes humour, vulnerability, and insight, highlighting how personal experiences, community support, and continuous learning shape both careers and social change.

Winner of “Female Comedian of the Decade” at the 2010 NZ Comedy Guild Awards and the 2015 Reilly Award for Excellence in Comedy, Michèle’s international experience as a stand-up comedian includes work in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. She is a regular guest entertainer on the cruise ship circuit.

Michele has also worked as a corporate MC, entertainer and keynote speaker for 25 years, becoming one of New Zealand’s most in-demand hosts for business awards and leadership hui. Her clients include lawyers, financial advisers, social service providers, the tourism industry, and boutique spirits makers.

https://www.facebook.com/michele.acourt

https://www.instagram.com/michele.acourt/

Bluesky: @micheleacourt.bsky.social

Threads: michele.acourt

www.jessstuart.com

https://www.facebook.com/jessstuartauthor/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-stuart-559a7940/

In this episode I am joined by the amazing Alexia Hilbertidou who has changed the lives of so many young women. Alexia shares her story, what sparked her idea to Start Girl Boss, and patters she sees in terms of challenges young women are facing as they step into the next phase of their careers.

Described by the NZ Herald as the Headmistress of Gen Z, Alexia is the founder of GirlBoss NZ - the school project which has become NZ’s largest organisation for young women. In 8 years, GirlBoss has grown to 17,500 members and programmes have been implemented in more than 400 schools across New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands.

She has spoken at some of the world's largest conferences such as The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and One Young World, sharing stages with speakers such as Richard Branson and Meghan Markle.

Alexia is a living, breathing example of how Gen Z are making their mark on the world, becoming New Zealand’s Gender Equality Ambassador at the World Expo, a VIP Scientific Communicator for NASA Space Agency, a National Geographic Explorer, a Global Teen Leader, and a Facebook Leadership Fellow. Alexia studied Leadership for Change at the University of Cambridge and holds a Masters in Emerging Technologies.

Alexia has received over 30 Awards for her work, including being named the Pacific Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Forbes 30 under 30, Semi-Finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year, the Most Influential NZ Woman under 25 at the Westpac Women of Influence Awards, a Commonwealth Covid-19 Hero, and Finalist for World Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

https://www.alexia.nz/

https://www.girlboss.nz/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiah/

https://www.instagram.com/officialalexiahilbertidious/

www.jessstuart.co.nz

In this episode I am delighted to be talking with Maia Jackman about leadership on and off the field, transitioning from a career as a footballer into media and physiotherapy among other things.

Māia Jackman MNZM is a former New Zealand Football Ferns captain, sports physiotherapist, football advocate, and media personality whose leadership and legacy have helped shape the women’s game in Aotearoa and beyond.

Māia made her international debut for the Football Ferns in 1993 at just 17 years old. Across a remarkable two-decade career, she earned 50 caps and scored 12 goals, proudly representing her country on the global stage, including at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

In 2007 she became the only Kiwi female footballer ever selected for a FIFA World All-Stars team, playing alongside some of the greatest players in the game.

Off the field, Māia has worked extensively in both community and elite performance environments. She is passionate about holistic athlete well-being, injury prevention, and inclusive leadership in sport. Her expertise spans physiotherapy, governance, and advocacy, where she has championed safe, equitable pathways for girls and women in football.

Māia has recently been appointed as a Performance Team Leader at High Performance Sport New Zealand, supporting some of Aotearoa’s top sports in their pursuit of performance and wellbeing excellence. She also serves on FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel alongside 15 other FIFA Legends from around the world, helping lead global efforts to combat racism in football.

A familiar face as a television pundit and an engaging public speaker, Māia has played a key role in raising the profile of women’s football in New Zealand. Her voice continues to carry weight in conversations on equity, inclusion, and representation across sport.

In recognition of her services to football, Māia was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2013.

Proud mum to 10-year-old daughter Kaea and partner to the epic Cassie Roma, Māia brings empathy, humour, leadership, and lived experience to everything she does, whether in sport, the clinic, at home, or around the boardroom table.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maia-jackman-mnzm-37566924/

www.jessstuart.co.nz

In this episode I'm talking with Nic Turner who shares her story with us and the turning point in her passion and purpose-led life, and some tips to simplify your life.

Nic Turner is a speaker, best-selling author and the driving force behind Mainstream Green. After spending the first 15 years of her career working in the global consumer goods industry, her life was set on a different trajectory with a personal quest to live more simply and sustainably.

Bringing together her understanding of human behaviour and her sustainability experience, Nic inspires behaviour change in organisations and communities.

www.mainstreamgreen.co.nz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-turner-mainstreamgreen/

https://www.instagram.com/mainstreamgreen

https://www.facebook.com/mainstreamgreennz/

www.jessstuart.co.nz

Today I'm speaking with Dr Ellen Joan Ford who discusses her story and the roles she has had that have led her to these insights and experiences which she shares with us today.

Dr Ellen Joan Ford is terrifyingly ambitious about improving the working world for people and for organisations.

As a leader, researcher, military veteran, international speaker, TEDx speaker, facilitator, consultant and parent, Ellen draws on her research and practical experiences to drive organisational outcomes by enhancing inclusive leadership capabilities and workplace culture.

Ellen was awarded the Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the Year - Local Hero for her efforts supporting the evacuation of 563 from Afghanistan, is Person of the Year - Manawatu Standard and the prestigious Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award. She is the author of #WorkSchoolHours and her leadership model is Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose.

www.ellenjoanford.com

Discount code: JESS

Anyone can use that code to get a FREE copy of Ellen's E-Book: #WorkSchoolHours

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ellen-joan-ford-791a2655/

https://www.jessstuart.co.nz/