This focus group brought together six women leaders from diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, utilities, and corporate services to explore what supports women’s career advancement into leadership roles. The conversation revealed how these women were claiming their unique perspectives and experiences as women in leadership and how their voices were then actively valued and supported
Explore the 2026 Four Factors having the most positive impact on women’s careers into leadership. Download the Women in Leadership Insights to Impact 2026 Summary Report
Access the summary of Amanda’s PhD research. Organisations are struggling to recruit and retain women in leadership, and women are struggling to stay. While current approaches to address this are well-intentioned and have made some inroads, this world-first research demonstrates how recognition of embodied experiences within leadership (i.e. performances, experiences, and emotions associated with our
Companies with more diverse boards and leadership teams consistently outperform their peers financially, make better decisions, and are better positioned to understand and serve their markets. These 6 reasons demonstrate that gender diversity in boards and senior roles is not just about equity, it’s a competitive advantage and business imperative. Read the full report and
Originally featured by the University of Auckland Business School. Businesses need to develop a better understanding of motherhood to achieve gender balance at senior levels, according to a new report. Women’s experiences of navigating leadership roles and motherhood are highlighted in a report released this month by Dr Amanda Sterling from the University of Auckland
We know that organisations face challenges recruiting and retaining women in leadership, as well as significant opportunities when they do. However, the current research on women in leadership only goes so far in addressing this. In summarising this research* there are three distinct perspectives that emerge. I called these ‘normalised bodies’, ‘problematised bodies’, and ‘embodied
