Justine Smyth
Justine Smyth | |
|---|---|
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| Alma mater | Papatoetoe High School, University of Auckland, Harvard Business School |
| Awards | Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Justine Gay Bronwyn Smyth CNZM is a New Zealand business executive, and professional director. In 2020, Smyth was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to governance and women.
Early life and education
[edit]Smyth grew up in South Auckland. Her father was a farmer, and she is the fourth of six children.[1] Smyth attended Papatoetoe High School, and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Auckland.[1]
Career
[edit]Smyth had received a bursary from the Inland Revenue Department which bonded her to work for them for three years.[2] She then joined Deloitte, attaining the rank of partner at the age of 29 or 30, one of two female partners at the time.[1][2] She also worked for Lion Nathan as Group Finance Director.[3][4] She has been a director of New Zealand Post, Auckland International Airport, Mondiale VGL and Spark New Zealand.[2][5][6] In 2017 she became the first woman to chair Spark's board.[2] Smyth mentors other women to become senior leaders and directors, and was instrumental in setting gender diversity targets for boards and leadership teams.[7][8]
Smyth has been Chair of the Breast Cancer Foundation since 2010. She was inspired to become involved due to her mother's survival after a diagnosis of breast cancer.[2] Smyth was instrumental in establishing a mobile clinic to provide breast care services to small towns, the Pink Caravan project.[7] She also helped the Foundation to set a vision of zero deaths from breast cancer, and oversaw the expansion of research funding to New Zealand breast cancer researchers.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Smyth is married and has one child. Smyth and her husband have owned infrastructure and lingerie businesses.[2]
Honours and awards
[edit]In 2019 Smyth won the Inspiring Governance Leader category at the Women in Governance Awards.[9] In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Smyth was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to governance and women.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Burrell, Henry (27 June 2021). "My Net Worth: Justine Smyth, chair and non-executive director, Spark". BusinessDesk. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Martin, Hannan (1 August 2020). "National Portrait: Justine Smyth, champion for women in top jobs and in health". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Governance • Breast Cancer Foundation National Register". breastcancerregister.org.nz. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Justine Smyth". Global Women. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Justine Smyth | Spark NZ". www.spark.co.nz. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Mondiale VGL appoints Justine Smyth as chair". TRANSPORTtalk: Truck and Industry Equipment News. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Queen's Birthday Honours 2020 - Citations for Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Sparkling connection | IoD NZ". The Institute of Directors. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Women in Governance Awards 2019 : Governance New Zealand". www.governancenz.org. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
External links
[edit]- Justine Smyth delivers the Diverse Thinking Pledge, 27 August 2018, via YouTube