Unwavering purpose
Wellington-based Kirsten Patterson (KP) is driven by an unwavering sense of purpose, which has defined her career.
Kirsten Patterson is a qualified lawyer who has achieved much throughout her career – she is a Distinguished Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, general manager for New Zealand Rugby, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and now chief executive of the Institute of Directors (IoD).
The not-for-profit organisation promotes strong governance in Aotearoa New Zealand. With more than 10,500 members, the IoD provides governance resources, services, and education to Aotearoa’s business community, including some of our biggest listed companies, start-ups, not-for-profits, school boards of trustees, sports groups, and more. Under KP’s leadership, it has made significant headway on the diversity front with a range of initiatives, which include mentoring programmes, events and opportunities for emerging directors, the establishment of a Pacific advisory board, and a new scholarship fund launched last year.
“In this current landscape, diversity and succession planning matter, and we need to make sure a range of voices are represented on boards because we are all impacted by decisions made at the board table,” KP says.
An advocate of climate change action, in 2022 Kirsten led the charge for directors with IoD’s launch of Chapter Zero NZ – the New Zealand arm of a global initiative, guided by principles set up by the World Economic Forum. Its aim is to arm directors with knowledge and resources to mobilise action and mitigate risks around climate change. As a result of that work, Kirsten was nominated as a ‘Sustainability Superstar’ at the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards, where she received a commendation.
“Receiving that recognition was important for the ongoing work we are doing in this space. It’s never too late for boards to set up an effective strategy that benefits people and the environment,” she says.
KP is pleased to see climate change making its way to the top of board agendas, especially post-Cyclone Gabriel, which really brought the message home.
“It forced us to think more carefully and strategically about what needs to be put in place…future generations depend on leaders to make the right decisions,” she says.
KP’s drive for change also extends to governance roles that keep her diary full.
Last year, she was appointed to the prestigious role of Chair of the Global Network of Directors Institutes (GNDI). She is also Chair of the Brian Picot Ethical Leadership advisory board, the Chair of the mental health charity Voices of Hope, a board member of the XRAP advisory panel for the External Reporting Board (XRB), and an ambassador for Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust. She is also a founding member of Global Women’s ‘Champions for Change’, and WiSPA – an organisation promoting women in sport.
“It’s important to support areas where change is needed, but you need to care deeply about the issues,” she says.
And that has been key to her successful career in leadership.
“The workload has increased significantly over time, but I thrive on challenges and doing something that feels meaningful. That’s important to me, and I feel very proud to have contributed to the organisations that I’ve been involved with over the years.”
The Institute of Directors is hosting its annual Leadership Conference for the first time in Ōtautahi Christchurch, 13–14 May 2024 at Te Pae Convention Centre.