‘There are fewer female chief executives at NZX-listed companies than there are chief executives named Mark’, Sophie Moloney, CEO Sky TV.

I will admit I needed to repeat that statistic a few times in my mind before it really sank in. While it might be tempting to be disappointed in that fact, it is worth remembering that it is not a competition. Amazing women find their place in many different roles, and bring their strengths and talents to complement that of men in the home, on the farm and in the workplace. It is about ally-ship, being allies, and working together to tackle the challenges ahead of us as a local, national and global community.

Sophie Moloney spoke to last Friday’s Year 10/11 Father-Daughter breakfast, followed by a more intimate presentation to a senior Business Studies class. She spoke candidly about her career journey as a mediocre barista to a festival-going entrepreneur, then a commercial lawyer taking advantage of any opportunity put in front of her, taking her from Christchurch to London to Abu Dhabi and back to New Zealand, as the CEO of Sky TV.

So much of Sophie’s presentation reinforced the messages that we hope are beginning to stick with our girls.

Be kind.
Be fair.
Be brave.
Be yourself.
Work hard but have fun.

As well as developing our own next generation of wahine toa at SMC, we are proud to have recently renewed our annual commitment as Activators for SheEO, a global community of radically generous women building a $1B perpetual fund to support women working on the World’s To-Do List. We are also delighted to welcome the woman behind the launch of SheEO in New Zealand, Theresa Gattung, as our guest speaker at tomorrow’s SMC Inspiring Women’s Lunch at The George.

If you know of a majority women-led venture that would benefit from a helping hand to take their business to the next level, please encourage them to check out the website and complete the simple application before the 16 July deadline.

As a SheEO Venture they will receive:

• Coaching - biweekly coaching calls with SheEO Development Guides

• Support - access to a global network who can support as customers, advisors, connectors and follow-on investors

• Funding - an interest-free loan paid back over five years

Fast forward a few years and we may see as many Margarets as Marks around the decision-making table.