Women Leading Business

Every year the Wellington Chamber of Commerce invites women in the Wellington region to join us in celebration of International Women’s Day. We have partnered with QT Hotel to host a high tea at their Hippopotamus Restaurant to help you connect with the female business community and start 2020 feeling inspired and ready for the new decade.

The 2020 International Women’s Day Campaign is #EachforEqual.
An equal world is an enabled world.

Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements.

Debbie Sorensen
Debbie is a New Zealand-born Tongan, a health strategist and management expert specialising in projects that address the health challenges that face Pacific communities in New Zealand and in the Pacific region. She played a leading role in the establishment of the Pacific health sector in New Zealand and continues to be active in the pacific region in delivering specialist health services and building workforce capacity and capability in partnership with Ministries of Health.

Debbie has received a number of awards. In 2011 Debbie was awarded a prestigious ANIVA Fellowship which enabled her to travel to Harvard University to undertake additional executive development study. In 2015 Debbie was invested with the Royal Order Crown of Tonga, Dame Commander by His Majesty King Tupou VI in recognition of her services to the people of Tonga.

She was recognised with a Life Service award from the Pasifika Medical Association in 2016. Debbie was also awarded the Pacific Business Executive Award at the 2016 National Pacific Business Trust Awards. Most recently she has been awarded the Westpac Women of Influence 2019 Public Policy Award where judges praised Debbie’s tireless work as a leader, a volunteer, and an advocate.

Debbie is currently Chief Executive of Pasifika Futures, the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency for Pacific families in New Zealand, Chief Executive of the Pasifika Medical Association, Director of international consultancy firm Health Specialists Ltd, and Chair of “Make a Wish” Pacific and a Trustee of the Fred Hollows Foundation; and a trustee of the Consortium of Tongan organisations.

Jessie Wong
Jessie Wong is a Wellington entrepreneur and founder of luxury leather goods brand Yu Mei. She set up Yu Mei after winning an AMP scholarship while completing her Bachelor of Fashion Design, allowing her to invest in the specialised machinery required to craft leather goods. Together with her production manager Adrian, Wong grew the brand, picking up 32 stockists in 18 months following successful showings during Yu Mei’s first two appearances at New Zealand Fashion Week. Almost five years on, Yu Mei has grown to a team of 11, with a permanent design studio, flagship store, and second store at Commercial Bay opening later this month.

Under the guidance of her female business mentor, Wong has scaled her business, securing a world-class manufacturing facility to realise plans for international expansion. With a large network and community of successful fellow females, Wong is a woman in business with an impressive strategic outlook and determination.

Whether you are starting your career and seeking to learn from other women in leadership positions, have experience and knowledge that you would like to pass on, or simply meet your peers, then this will be a great event for you.

In the past we have had senior managers bring a younger member of their organisation who they see leadership potential in to start a mentor relationship.

Celebrate International Women's Day in style and book your tickets today.