Justine Smyth, of Auckland, CNZM, for services to governance and women
Justine Smyth is Chair of the Breast Cancer Foundation, having joined its Board of Trustees in 1996. She championed the Pink Caravan project to take breast care nurses to small towns around New Zealand, and technology-led innovations to support patients nationwide.
During her involvement with the Foundation, New Zealand’s breast cancer death rate has decreased by more than 30 percent, and the Foundation has become New Zealand’s biggest non-governmental funder of breast cancer research.
Ms Smyth is currently Chair of Spark NZ Ltd and Director of Auckland International Airport Ltd. In these roles, she has been instrumental in setting and achieving gender diversity targets for their boards and leadership teams.
She has helped numerous women achieve their first commercial board appointment and has mentored aspiring directors and senior leaders.