Chatty Chums x The Macallan brings 'Meet Your Heroes'
Fostering an open arms community of like-minded powerhouse women.
22 MAY - 2024
Women have the power to shape the world.
‘Meet Your Heroes’ endeavours to cultivate and nurture an open arms community of like-minded powerhouse women who can lean on and learn from each other. By bringing female entrepreneurs and career seekers together, this intimate networking event creates a space in which meaningful connections can be born - and what better way to spark conversations than with a tasty tipple?
In collaboration with drinks genius Theo Tjandra, we will imbibe three otherworldly The Macallan cocktails that represent the past, present and most importantly, future. While it is Chatty Chums’ inaugural event, it is The Macallan’s 200th anniversary this year. The age gap may be significant, but the match could not be better for a creation such as ‘Meet Your Heroes.’
To celebrate two centuries of legacy, The Macallan have announced that they are two hundred years young. It is with this young heart that we keep the twinkle in our eyes and the passion alive to keep exploring, learning and creating. Powered by The Macallan at Bentley, where incomparability, craftsmanship, legacy, creativity and sustainability intersect, we can be present in a brief yet beautiful moment in which we honour each other’s experiences of the past to guide our future. We can meet our heroes and become our own.
Keynote Speakers
It is safe to say that for this particular group of women who come together, ambition is, unanimously, what we thrive off. Within us is a sense of rebelliousness to outshine from the rest and an inexplicable need to push relentlessly for excellence, just to bask in our own glory as victor thereafter. As productive dreamers with an appetite for true freedom, our lives are always the working project at hand.
Experiencing a product of creativity, which we call to be art, is usually very fleeting. Ironically, we must make tremendous sacrifices in order to achieve our desires through one thing, and that is discipline. Only over time, do we learn and evolve to be the person that we want to be.
The Keynote Speakers for Meet Your Heroes are illustrious leaders who are revered in their respective industries. Through the stories of their personal journeys, there will be many moments in which sparks will be ignited to alter the course and momentum of one’s life.
Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration
Erica Stanford is the Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration. She has been the MP for the East Coast Bays electorate since the 2017 election.
Born and raised in the East Coast Bays, Erica is heavily invested in the community where she raises her two children with her husband in Okura. After attending Rangitoto College, she went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours majoring in Political Science and minoring in Māori Studies at the University of Auckland.
Erica's early working career saw her hold several export sales roles for New Zealand manufacturers. She also spent four years working in the electorate office of former MP for East Coast Bays, Hon Murray McCully.
Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and Minister of Immigration
Christine Kearney, Partner and CEO, PH Digital
Christine boasts a distinguished career, holding operational leadership and marketing positions for renowned brands. Starting her journey in luxury hotels at The Ritz London, she honed expertise in luxury brand marketing and strategy. Transitioning to New Zealand, she assumed senior roles at Robertson Lodges and Langham Hospitality Group, further enriching her luxury brand management skills.
Joining Webb’s in 2018 as General Manager and Marketing Director, Christine led the company through five years of remarkable growth with her innovative marketing strategies and business leadership.
Now, Partner and CEO at top performance marketing agency, PH Digital, Christine leads a team of expert digital strategists with enthusiasm, warmth and skill, to generate impressive business growth for some of NZ and Australia’s most premium fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands.
Christine Kearney, Partner & CEO of PH Digital
Shabnam Shiwan, Partner and Creative Director, Osborne Shiwan
Born in Lautoka, Fiji, Shabnam Shiwan grew up by the Pacific Ocean, near tropical rainforests and colourful marine reefs. At age 13, she emigrated with her family to diversely cultural Papatoetoe in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa.
Shabnam’s understanding of people and place has led to the creation of brands for Knuefermann, Atamira Dance Company, Karen Walker, Ryder, Love Taupō, Godavari Diamonds and Tourism Fiji.
Her work has been recognised in the Red Dot Awards (Germany), Clio (USA), ADC (USA), AIGA (USA), One Show (USA), and TDC (USA). Shabnam’s work has been exhibited in Objectspace and published in Graphis (USA), I.D. (USA) and Page (Germany). She has judged The One Club’s Young Guns, Drum Awards and AGDA Awards. She was recently invited to talk at DesignThinkers Vancouver in Canada.
Shabnam has been appointed as an Advisory Board member for the Type Directors Club and is a participant in Here Now, a global mentorship for BIPOC creatives.
Shabnam Shiwan, Partner and Creative Director, Osborne Shiwan
Rosie Holt, Founder, Rosie Holt Coaching
From law papers to flowers, Rosie’s first business was a passion project which enabled her to escape the tedium of law and corporate drudgery. Realising early on that the traditional corporate environment wasn't a place in which she would thrive, she quit her law degree, quit advertising and eventually quit attempting to do what was expected and do what inspired her.
It was growing a florist business from the garden shed to a Ponsonby Road success story where her love of business began. Now, more than a decade later, that 'little flower shop in Ponsonby has paved the way for Rosie to help other business owners to make waves and feel courageous, confident and supported as they grow empires of their own.
Working with creative entrepreneurs and female founders, Rosie helps simplify impossible goals into a streamlined, clear path so business owners can grow their business with unparalleled clarity.
Rosie Holt, Founder, Rosie Holt Coaching
Panel Discussion
Hosted by Chatty Chums Founder and Editor, Sophie Chung, our first 'Meet Your Heroes' panel will have four admirable speakers from different worlds. We will cover a range of valuable topics, from running a fast-growing small business in a new market and wearing multiple hats, to working in a multi-disciplinary leadership role, to navigating the road of becoming a successor of a dynasty, and of course, how to make your money work for you from an investment perspective.
The insights into the speakers' experiences and expertise will be transcendental for our knowledge and growth.
Aroha Jakicevich, Glengarry Family Business Manager
Spirits judge and liquor retail specialist, Aroha has climbed the ranks at the family-owned Glengarry Wines through dedicated effort and hands-on experience.
Her talent for nurturing and evaluating emerging brands provides critical feedback and insights to the New Zealand spirits industry. Aroha's leadership and strategic guidance is steering Glengarry towards its fourth generation of prosperity.
As a young Māori leader, her role is pivotal in shaping the future of the business. In an industry where women often face significant barriers, Aroha is earning recognition and applause for her role in leading conversations toward a more equitable future in the beverage industry.
Aroha Jakicevich, Glengarry Family Business Manager
Ilse Wolfe, Founder of Wolfe Property Coaching
Ilse began her property investing career when she was only 23 years old, while living pay cheque to pay cheque from her job at the bank. Under the caring guidance of a client and only $5000, she converted a Hamilton property into an income cash cow during the GFC.
Following a sudden family loss that created a mindset shift, Ilse left her salary role at 30 years old and propelled her career into property. With 17 years of lessons in her wake, Ilse now owns a $20M portfolio and has made it her life mission to help women succeed and create independence by replicating her results.
She specialises in helping investors create 8% gross returns on stand-alone rentals and 10%+ returns on blocks of units. She and her clients have completed hundreds of renovations to this result, and her new Boardroom coaching service has already helped turn $16M of initial property purchases into over $25M, in less than 6 months.
Ilse Wolfe, Founder of Wolfe Property Coaching
Melodi Barzandeh, Senior Architect, Context
Melodi is a New Zealand registered architect with over 13 years of experience practising architecture in New Zealand. She moved from Iran to Auckland with her family when she was 4 years old. At the age of 16, she attended Unitec to complete her NDAT, BAS, and Master in Architecture (P), where she grew a strong foundation for a long-lasting career in architecture.
She has extensive experience in New Zealand, working and leading both small-scale residential and medium-scale commercial projects ($34 million), excelling in delivery and site observation/administration. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is an active advocate for women in the construction industry. Melodi mentors the next generation of architects, preferring knowledge sharing and leadership over climbing the corporate ladder.
She currently works at Context - a multi-disciplinary design practice, where she is the project lead across aged care and Auckland Airport projects.
Melodi Barzandeh, Senior Architect, Context
Shivana Pemberton, Co-Founder and Marketing Director, Four Words
Shivana is the Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Four Words - a sustainable and ethical jewellery brand with a focus on true customisation and design expertise.
She started her career as a lawyer, however quickly decided this wasn’t for her. Before launching full-time into her businesses, she was a Recruitment Business Partner for a global HR firm, Head of Connections at a non-profit, and General Manager of an Events startup.
In 2021, Shivana and her business partners started Four Words, a brand creating custom engagement rings and fine jewellery. In three years, the business has grown to millions in revenue and the fastest growing fine jewellery brand in NZ. Her role is to support the growth of the business through content and ad development and brand strategy.
Shivana Pemberton, Co-Founder and Marketing Director, Four Words
If you would like to meet your distinguished heroes and be a part of this newly founded community, there is a small pool of tickets available.
We will have an open bar and alongside the new connections, iconic memories and precious notes that you make, you will go home with a bougie goodybag worth $300+ including iS Clinical, The Macallan, Nevé, Narciso Rodriguez, Kérastase, Jeuneora and Arithmos.
See you there!
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