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Wellington City Libraries is delighted to invite you to this insightful panel discussion featuring female leaders from different cultures who now call Aotearoa home. In a conversation facilitated by award winning author, poet and librarian Khadro Mohamed (Somalia), organizational leaders Mumtaz Parker (South Africa), Dr Fahimeh McGregor (Iran), and Juping Zhou (China) will discuss their journeys across oceans and cultures and into leadership roles in New Zealand workplaces. They will share experiences and discuss the challenges of taking on leadership positions within organisations and their communities.If you are a leader, a woman of colour, a supporter of workplace diversity or just have an interest in the perspective of those from another culture, we encourage you to attend this thoughtful and thought-provoking session.
This is a free event and seating is limited. We encourage you to arrive early to secure a seat.
Location: Ngā Pou Ruahine space (Level 2), Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library
About the participants...
Mumtaz Parker:
Originally from South Africa, Mumtaz holds a Masters in Professional Practice – Leadership and has recently completed an MBA. This is coupled with 20+ years’ experience in various senior leadership roles spanning education, health, and the water sector.
Mumtaz is a proud Muslim woman, leader, mother, and changemaker who recently published her first book, 'Betting on a Hijabi', in which she details the raw, real journey behind the job titles. This is a story of faith, resilience, rejection, identity, and ultimately, power. A voice for every woman who has ever been underestimated, overlooked, or asked to shrink.
Mumtaz lives in Wellington with her husband and children (more about Mumtaz: https://www.impactfulchange.co.nz/about).
Dr Fahimeh McGregor:
Dr Fahimeh McGregor arrived in New Zealand with a Master's degree, a research curiosity, and a willingness to begin again. Born in Iran and shaped by years of work and study across multiple countries including Malaysia, where she completed her postgraduate studies. She chose to build her career in Aotearoa in a field not always known for its diversity of voices and set about changing that from within.
Today she is the founder of DELTA Informed Decisions (https://deltainformeddecisions.com/data-driven-business-excellence-framework/) and a lecturer at Massey University Business School, with more than 20 years of experience helping organisations across the public and private sectors turn complex data into practical decisions. Much of that work has taken her into the NGO and community sector, where she is driven by a belief that good governance and smart systems should serve those who need them most not just those who can afford them.
Behind the consultancy and the doctorate is a longer story: of navigating unfamiliar systems, finding her footing in new institutions, and learning when to adapt and when to hold your ground.
She is an AUT Vice Chancellor's Award recipient, a PMINZ Research Finalist, and a recognised advocate for women-led transformation in business and policy.
Juping Zhou:
Juping is currently a Senior Compliance officer with Govt agency, having worked in the NZ public sector for over 20 years. She is also well known to library staff and users as a Justice of the Peace and organizer of the JP library roster. (You can read Juping's story here: https://www.wcl.govt.nz/news/being-a-justice-of-the-peace-interview-with-juping-zhou/).
Before moving to New Zealand Juping was a University Lecturer of English in Shanghai. Upon arrival she registered with Volunteer Wellington and started volunteering for NZ Red Cross. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand in 2005 and started volunteering at Wellington Central Citizens Advice Bureau the following year. Juping established Chinese Senior Community Association in 2007 and ran this charity successfully for 7 years, winning several national awards. She was recognized as a Local Hero and awarded Local Hero Medals in 2010 and 2014 and was also a New Zealander of the Year Award Finalist in 2014. She is a National Vice President for New Zealand China Friendship Society.
Juping is also a Marriage and Civil Union celebrant, teacher of ethnic Chinese Dance and passionate about Scottish Country Dancing.
Khadro Mohamed
Somalia born Khadro Mohamed is a writer, poet and librarian based in Wellington. Her debut poetry collection, We’re All Made of Lightning, won the Jessie MacKay Prize for Poetry at the 2023 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Her debut novel Before the Winter Ends was longlisted for the 2026 Ockham’s Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction.
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Event Venue
Ngā Pou Ruahine space (L2), Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington, New Zealand 6011, New Zealand
Tickets
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