Jo was the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women until September 2016. One of the youngest Chief Executives ever appointed in the New Zealand Public Service, she has invested her time and energy in advancing the cause of the vulnerable in society, spearheading some of the most difficult issues of our time, including child abuse, child poverty, family violence and vulnerable women.
She has established effective working relationships with Ministers, Government agencies, NGOs, Māori organisations, iwi, Pacific communities and the business sector.
Formerly the Deputy Children's Commissioner, author of the Government's Green Paper on Vulnerable Children, director of a number of NGOs, she has a Doctorate in Public Policy and works internationally on advancing development in the Pacific as a director of Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA).
In 2016 she was a finalist in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards and in 2014 was one of three recipients of a Westpac Leaders Fellowship.
Jo is the proud mother of two and referees their Saturday morning sport, bakes cupcakes and sews Guide badges onto blankets.
In this interivew we discuss her recent Tedx talk on addressing the gender pay gap NZ. We discuss domestic violence, poverty and the roles of women in today's world.
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My favourite running podcast by miles⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This is the best podcast for long runs. Lisa is just so relatable, honest, funny and inspires me to push my own limits. Awesome guests (I particularly enjoyed the podcast with Kim Morrison) and a wide variety of topics covered. Thanks for keeping me running, Lisa!
Jinni S via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 07/02/19
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My favourite podcast ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Helps me get through my boring desk job. Absolutely love this podcast. Great topics and advice that has helped me to better myself and my approach to running.
alekslikestorun
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Two thumbs up ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Always great guests, great insights and learnings that can be applied immediately for every level of experience.
JonnyHagger
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Motivational and Inspirational ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I am getting my mojo back with regards to my health and running after treatment for breast cancer, I connected with Lisa as I was looking for positive influences from people who are long distance runners and understand our mindset. Lisa’s podcasts have been a key factor in getting me out of a negative space where I allowed others limiting beliefs to stop me from following my heart and what I believe is right for me. After 18 months of being in cancer recovery mode I wanted to get out of the cancer mindset and back to achieving goals that had been put aside. Listening to Pushing The Limits has put me onto other great podcasts, and in the process I have learnt so much and am on a pathway to a much better place with my mindset and health. Thanks so much Lisa for doing what you do and always being you.
L.Faire