Theresa Gattung

Theresa Gattung is a leading New Zealand business personality. Named in Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 most powerful women in international business several times since 2002, she was also included in Forbes’ list of the world’s 50 most powerful women across any sphere in 2006. Theresa is the Chair of Wool Partners International. In this role she leads the company’s drive to reinvigorate the international market for New Zealand’s strong wools, applying her leadership skills, international business experience and marketing and branding expertise. She is also the Chair of AIA Australia Limited. From October 1999 to June 2007, Theresa was CEO and Managing Director of Telecom New Zealand, a multi-billion dollar telecommunications business operating in New Zealand and Australia listed on the NZX, ASX and NYSE, and the largest publicly listed company in NZ. During her tenure as CEO she led Telecom through world-changing technology developments and the evolution of the business from a traditional telco to the number one IT provider in New Zealand. Before becoming CEO of Telecom, Theresa held roles there as Group General Manager, accountable for revenues of NZ$3 billion and responsibility for over 3,500 staff, and General Manager of Marketing. Prior to joining Telecom, Theresa held a number of marketing roles in the financial services sector. Growing up with three sisters, they were taught that women can be anything they want to be when provided with equal opportunities. That belief has never left her and for more than 20 years she has supported groups dedicated to empowering women, including YWCA, Women’s Refuge, and the New Horizons for Women Trust. Her best selling book, “Bird On A Wire” published by Random House, is both a memoir of her time at Telecom and a commentary on subjects ranging from leadership to feminism. Theresa’s personal interests include horse riding, fashion, swimming and collecting contemporary art. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand.