Talk: Leading from Within: Empathy, Diversity, and the Courage to Be Yourself

Great leadership starts with knowing yourself. In this talk, Anna shares how understanding her own strengths, blind spots, and leadership style has shaped the way she leads others—with empathy, conviction, and care. She’ll explore how self-awareness creates space for authenticity, and how that, in turn, allows teams to bring their full selves to work. Drawing on her experiences in tech, sport, and leadership, Anna will reflect on why diverse, inclusive teams thrive—and how empathy isn’t just a soft skill, but a strategic advantage. Expect practical insights, honest stories, and a reminder that the best leaders lead from who they truly are.

About Anna

Anna is Head of Engineering at Trade Me, one of New Zealand’s most iconic tech companies—but she’s much more than her job title. A former triathlete and Ironwoman, Anna brings that same endurance mindset and competitive spirit to how she builds and leads high-performing teams. Her career started in software development and has taken her across the world and through professional services, architecture and leadership roles. Along the way, she’s learned a lot about grit, ambition, and how to lead with both heart and clarity. Anna is passionate about creating environments where people can do their best work—sustainably. She’s deeply interested in how culture, systems, and intent intersect, and how leaders can show up with both technical depth and human nuance (which makes Beacon feel like exactly her kind of event).