Jo is an experienced board Chair with a particular passion and expertise for leadership and governance. She is currently Chair of Maritime New Zealand (the nation’s maritime agency), Chair of Harrison Grierson (NZ urban engineering and planning consultancy), and Chair of the Ambassadors for Leadership NZ. Past governance roles over a range of sectors have included Chair of Northpower Fibre (ultra-fast broadband), Chair of Landcare Research, the board of Housing New Zealand, Chair of Taitokerau Education Trust and the board of the Auckland Museum.
Jo was the founder of Leadership New Zealand, which has over 700 Alumni across the diversity of NZ, was Chair of the LNZ Trust for more than a decade and now Chairs the Ambassadors. As a Harkness Fellow and Aspen Scholar, Jo spent a year researching leadership in the USA. She researches and writes about leadership, develops and facilitates leadership and governance programmes, and undertakes board reviews.
Jo believes that governance is leadership in action and for New Zealand to succeed, inspiring and capable leaders are required at both governance and executive levels.
A Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Jo was previously the CEO of the Northland Regional Council and of the Auckland Regional Council.
She received the honour of Dame Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in the 2023 Kings Birthday and Coronation Honours for services to governance and business.
