My career has spanned early roles in client management, human resources, through to senior leadership positions. I've experienced working for a multi-national corporation, running my own business in Hong Kong and representing the New Zealand Government in China, North America, Australia and the Pacific.The complexity of driving commercial success in China while balancing the needs and priorities of a different culture will always be a highlight. So too was my time leading NZTE's investment attraction programme in North America.Right now it's great to be in Australia - a country that New Zealand is lucky to have as our neighbour, a vital trade partner and our most significant source of investment. During my career I’ve worked with businesses of all sizes to support their development and to create opportunities within international markets. Within my own organisations ​I've encountered many situations where change, development and acceleration were needed - I'd like to think I've always left things better than when I got there, but I also know the work was never finished. I’ll always be learning about leadership but I do know that empathy and understanding, coupled with a determination to find a way forward, can take you a long way.