Expert interview with Vanisa Dhiru, executive leader, trustee & volunteer.
Vanisa Dhiru is a global leader and an inspiring voice for equity, inclusion, and belonging. She has led organisations like the National Council of Women of New Zealand and 20/20 Trust and now sits on several boards and commissions.
Driven by a strong sense of social responsibility, she’s spent her life fighting for equality: from her upbringing to the C-suite and governance roles. Her approach combines self-awareness, ambition, and investing in strong networks:
💡 Write it down: The importance of writing down your goals and reflecting on your journey.
💡 Ask for help early: Seek help when you’re in over your head. As a first-time CEO, Vanisa asked for guidance without hesitation – or she’d ‘burn’. Don’t be afraid to share challenges with trusted people/networks (Powrsuit!) to help you articulate what you need.
💡 Intentional networking: Be deliberate with your networking efforts! Attend fewer but more intentional events, engage with people outside your usual circles, and even set aside a personal budget for professional development so that you don’t hesitate when networking opportunities come up.
💡 Build a personal board of directors: Surround yourself with people who challenge you and can offer advice. Share your goals with them and let their feedback refine your direction.
Mini-masterclass: Networking to enhance your career
Mini-masterclass: How to boost your visibility
Expert interview: Ask loudly, adapt often
Expert interview: Being the first or only
Expert interview: Navigating networking
Powrsuit replaces exclusive, time-intensive professional development with small actions that work around real life. Join now to access this, and over 70 more bite-sized lessons, along with peer coaching, a private network and plenty of other member benefits.
"This one really resonates for me. As I'm going through my career I'm realizing that ambition is not always about climbing the career ladder. it's about growing my impact. I love Vanisa's advice about taking time to reflect by writing down your thinking, using pen and paper, this is something I will be more intentional about."
"Really enjoyed this. Inspiring and aspirational. The action is great too- going to give it a go!"
