Biographies of Senior Management

 

Chief Executive: Rowena took up her role of Chief Executive in July 2010. Her background is primarily in public policy. Prior to joining the Ministry of Women’s Affairs she worked at Treasury, firstly as a manager in the State Sector Performance group and then as the manager of Treasury’s Tax Strategy team. Rowena has also worked in the education and housing sectors, as well as a Senior Consultant for KPMG. Rowena holds bachelor and post-graduate qualifications in economics.

 

Director Policy (SIJ – Strategy, International and Justice): Deb took up the role of Director, Policy in January 2011.  Deb has worked at MWA before, as acting policy manager, and as private secretary to former Ministers of Women's Affairs, Dame Jenny Shipley and Hon Georgina te Heuheu.  Deb has also been a senior advisor at Parliament.

Director Policy (ESP – Economic and Social Policy): Joanna joined the Ministry as Director, Policy in February 2011. Prior to joining the Ministry, Joanna was Manager, Financial Markets at the Treasury. Her roles at the Treasury included managing the Treasury’s Business Analysis Team and a number of assignments as a senior policy analyst. Between 2005 and 2007, Joanna was Senior Advisor to the Executive Director in the New Zealand constituency office at the World Bank in Washington DC. Joanna has also had policy advisor roles in the State Services Commission and the Department of Labour.
 

 

Director, Nominations: Pamela joined the Ministry in 2008. She was previously at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, where her roles included Education Director, Deputy Director, and Acting Executive Director. Earlier in her career, Pamela worked on leadership and international education programmes at the Academy for Educational Development in Washington, DC. She migrated to New Zealand from the United States in 1994.