Brianne West, Founder of Ethique

Brianne is a New Zealand entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Ethique – a regenerative beauty brand now sold in over 22 countries, in more than 8000 stores.

She was named a ‘Top 100 Global Thinker’ by Foreign Policy magazine in 2016, the 2019 NZ EY 'Young Entrepreneur Of The Year' and One Young World's Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2020.

Brianne is passionate about protecting and restoring our environment and believes that business should benefit everyone involved, from suppliers, to the team - not just shareholders.

Brianne is also the co-founder and co-managing partner of Nous, an impact investment fund launched in 2021.

Grant Straker, Co-founder and CEO of Straker Translations

A mechanical engineer by trade and former elite paratrooper Grant is the co-founder(with his wife Merryn) and CEO of the Straker Group, a company that they built from startup to an IPO in 2018.

Of Maori decent from the Ngati Raukawa Iwi Grant grew up in New Zealand and moved to the UK as a teenager and joined the British Army in the mid 80’s. After leaving the Army in the 90’s he taught himself computer programming and founded Straker as a technology company, eventually using the technology they developed to become leading players in the 50 billion translation industry.

The Straker’s had a vision that they could build a global technology company from New Zealand, and over the past two decades have accomplished this with more than 240 staff, offices in 8 countries and still head quartered in New Zealand where the majority of their R&D takes place.

Grant has 3 teenage boys, still plays masters rugby, does competitive age grade crossfit competitions and enjoys sailing his catamaran at the weekends.

Phil Thomson, Co-founder and CEO of Auror

Phil is a co-founder and CEO of Auror, a crime intelligence software platform, After spending four years as a commercial lawyer specialising in Privacy and IP, Phil was part of the founding team at Auror along with James Corbett and Tom Batterbury who were named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year New Zealand winners in 2022.

Phil now leads the global organisation as its CEO. Auror has spent the last 12 years on a mission to empower retailers with the intelligence and solutions they need to stop crime, for good. Phil’s focus as CEO has been centred around building a trusted and diverse company with a global outlook, driving Auror from NZ into Australia, the US, and now the UK.

Sonya Williams, Co-founder, Director and 3EO (Co-CEO) of Sharesies

Sonya Williams is the co-founder, director and 3EO (co-CEO) of Sharesies. The Sharesies vision is to give someone with $5 and $5m the same money opportunities. Sharesies is a wealth app with over half a million investors who’ve collectively invested billions of dollars. Sharesies also provides services to NZX and ASX listed companies so they can gain valuable insights and communicate directly to their retail investors, as well as support with capital raises and provide staff share schemes. 

Sonya has built a career in technology and global marketing and product management and is passionate about using technology to solve big problems, and create a more equitable society. Sonya was the co-winner of the 2020 Women of Influence—Business award, alongside co-founder Brooke Roberts, and 2022 NZ Services Entrepreneur Of The Year, alongside co-CEOs Brooke and Leighton.