RESOURCES
Context of Performance Summit 2025 Raelene Castle
Keynote: Leading from the edge: Proactive performance in an era of disruption
Holly Ransom, CEO Emergent Global
What separates those who merely respond to change from those who shape it? In this dynamic opening keynote, Holly explores how high performance cultures maintain their competitive edge by actively leaning into discomfort and anticipating challenges before they arise. Drawing from conversations with pioneering leaders and cutting-edge organisations, she'll reveal practical frameworks for developing your peripheral vision, conducting effective pre-mortems, and building proactive leadership muscles within your teams. Through interactive exercises and compelling case studies, you'll leave with actionable tools to strengthen your foresight capabilities, a renewed commitment to modelling the change you seek, and practical strategies to position your organisation at the leading edge of sport's next revolution.
Enhancing performance, embracing inclusive environments, Dr Eileen Strempel
Eileen Strempel, UCLA Dean of Music
Emily Downes, HPSNZ General Manager – Wellbeing & Leadership
When you lead an environment that has talented individuals who are aspiring to reach their performance potential the support structures and deliberate practices you put in place are essential. In this session we will gain insights from outside of sport on the importance of holistic development, inclusive environments, creating pressure and learning from failure underpinned by a creative and learning ecosystem.
If tech is the answer, what is the question, keynote and panel
- Rowan Simpson, Chairman Hoku Group
- Gordon Walker, Technical Director and Women’s Lead Coach at Canoe Racing NZ
- Paul McAlpine, Head of Performance and Technique Analysis, HPSNZ
Facilitated by Jenny-May Clarkson
Athletes leading change, Keynote panel
Petrece Kesha, Administration and Events Coordinator, Athlete Leaders Network
Panel:
- Jo Aleh, Sailing
- Nick Collier, Canoe Slalom
- Reihana Soutar-Finch, Touch Rugby
- Angela Walker Subramaniam, Board member, Athlete Leaders Network
Facilitated by Sarah Cowley-Ross, Chair Athlete Leaders Network
An Athlete Leaders Network led panel session on the importance of athlete voice mechanisms and the need for authenticity and effectiveness.
Pinnacle Events, keynote panel
Panel:
- Rebecca Frizelle, Co-owner Gold Coast Titans (NRL), Brisbane 2032 Board director
- Duane Kale, IPC Vice President, HPSNZ Board Vice-Chair and IOC coordination commission for Paris, LA and Brisbane Games
- Nicki Nicol, CEO, NZ Olympic Committee (NZOC)
Facilitated by Raelene Castle, CEO Sport NZ Group
Unpacking key insights from leaders and decision makers on future pinnacle events. What are leaders seeking as key outcomes from these events? What new initiatives might we see in future events and are we still seeing the level of engagement and inspiration for these large-scale events to remain relevant in a time of competing privatisation and alternate means of entertainment?