Sian is a passionate and lively thinker drawing insights from a life lived to the full. She seems like your typical high flying millennial, often referenced in the business pages as one of New Zealand’s top young entrepreneurs and one of the next generation business leaders to watch. She’s travelled to over 45+ countries, and has embraced 'the future of work' for almost a decade, she lives what we know to be the ‘suitcase’ lifestyle, working what to her is a traditional ‘portfolio career’ with clients across the globe. The main one of these, is heading up the Kiwi Landing Pad as the Global Community Director working with Kiwi Startups and Technology companies that dream of exporting and have global aspirations.
Underneath all of this Sian has a powerful personal story that most would describe as going to hell and back, which has built her character and resilience. You can learn more about her journey with mental health, personal transformation and overcoming adversity here.
Sian splits her time between New Zealand and San Francisco, making regular trips to key global markets such as London, Paris and Singapore. She also frequents many US hubs to stay connected, build community, and learn about key trends and influences affecting us and the world.
Sian has spoken to thousands of people from many different backgrounds, she champions a unique learning style sharing that she learnt most of what she knows about community from tribal elders in rural Africa, and has observed and learnt about technology and innovation from some of the best leaders in Silicon Valley, New Zealand and Israel.
Underneath all of this Sian has a powerful personal story that most would describe as going to hell and back, which has built her character and resilience. You can learn more about her journey with mental health, personal transformation and overcoming adversity here.
Sian splits her time between New Zealand and San Francisco, making regular trips to key global markets such as London, Paris and Singapore. She also frequents many US hubs to stay connected, build community, and learn about key trends and influences affecting us and the world.
Sian has spoken to thousands of people from many different backgrounds, she champions a unique learning style sharing that she learnt most of what she knows about community from tribal elders in rural Africa, and has observed and learnt about technology and innovation from some of the best leaders in Silicon Valley, New Zealand and Israel.
Sian can speak to any of the following topics:
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Speaking Engagements
Events2018Sales & Marketing Jam Roadshow
Global Women: Guest Speaker, San Francisco
Sovereign/AIA: Keynote Innovation & Resilience
Femmepire: She Built That Panel
TePapa Women at Work: Bright Futures Pannel
North Harbour Club: Boardroom Buzz with Sian Simpson
Rivercity Labs: Getting US Ready Workshop (Brisbane)
Kiwirail: Future of Work Panel
CINZ Talent Pipeline Panel
CINZ Emerging Talent Keynote
HBPPA Association:
Suncorp Millenials Chat
Tech Marketers Roadshow
Tech Futures Lab
Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, 1st August
BNZ Chair's Workshop | Case Study
Developing New Zealand Transport & Infrastructure Conference, Keynote: Managing the Myths of Technology
Auckland University Velocity Prize-giving | Keynote
Ministry of Education Summit, EdConvo18, Guest Speaker: Discovering Successful Alternative Pathways To Learning
Connectle Con Webinar, Host & Moderator: The Power of Community
Trans-Tasman Business Council, San Francisco, Guest Speaker: Kiwi Landing Pad & Growing the New Zealand Technology Ecosystem
Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (May), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Venture Up, Guest Speaker: Following Your Passion, Where To From Here?
SaaStr Annual, Green Room Interviews (40 bespoke interviews with top SaaS founders and Venture Capitalists)
Aspen Institute in New Zealand, Workshop: Special Guest & Contributor
Twenty Three and FirstCut, Video Marketing Meetup, San Francisco, Panel: Video Marketing and the most effective way to tell stories to drive traffic and increase engagement.
2017North Harbour Rotary Club, Guest Speaker: Growing the New Zealand Technology Community & Lessons from Silicon Valley
Young Enterprise Trust, It's Business Time Conference, Keynote: Your Master Piece, Is My Best Lesson
Young Enterprise Trust, It's Business Time Conference, Panel: Key Trends Shaping The Future Of Work
Kiwi Landing Pad, Interviewer & Moderator: My Year With Helen Q & A featuring Helen Clark & Gaylene Preston
Global Womens Group, San Francisco, Guest Speaker: Women's Leadership & Why Do I Lead
Connectle Con Webinar, Guest Speaker: Self Organising Teams
Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (October), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
Flint, Future Leaders Program with Tuanz, Guest Speaker: Bringing The Best Of You
Unleashed Entrepreneurship Conference, Keynote: Unleashing Your Purpose
Festival for the Future, Keynote: Overcoming Adversity and Building Community
Flat White Meetup, New York, Guest Speaker: Kiwi Landing Pad
Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (May), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin
Refactor, Guest Speaker: Achieving Personal Success by removing self-limitations through experimentation
Startup Garage Wellington, Guest Speaker: The Art of Momentum and Scaling Smart with Sian Simpson & John Holt
Game Changer Women, San Francisco, Keynote: Mastering Your Personal Finances
2016
Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (October), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga
North Harbour Club, MC & Host: Evening with All Birds Tim Brown & AIMES Alumni
Air New Zealand, Board Directors Dinner, Curator & Guest: Digital Study Tour
Canterbury Tech Summit, Keynote: Curing the New Zealand Identity Crisis & Finding Our Why
Christchurch City Council, Contributor: Sharing Economy, Regulation and Smart Cities, with Chelsea Rustrum
AUT University, Guest Speaker:
Air New Zealand, Interviewer & Host: Inspiring Voices, Wellington, Queenstown & Christchurch
Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (May), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown
2015Kiwi Landing Pad, Host & Moderator: Sales & Marketing Jam (September), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
AUT at the Kiwi Landing Pad in San Francisco, MC: AUT InternNZ, Experience The Changing World
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SchoolsDiocesan School for Girls
Auckland Grammar School Saint Kentigern College Pinehurst School Albany Senior High School Wellington College Nayland College Long Bay College Hutt International Boys' School Ormiston Senior College Palmerston North Boys' High School Avonside School Amua Ao Programme (Callaghan Innovation, NZQA and iwi) Market/Ecosystem ToursSan Francisco, 2018
Brisbane, 2018 Portland, 2018 Singapore, 2018 Singapore, 2017 | with NZTE Sydney, 2017 Brisbane, 2017 Taupo, 2017 Dunedin, 2017 Toronto, 2016 | with NZTE London, 2016, 2017, 2018 Santiago, Chile, 2016 Vancouver, 2015 Tel Aviv, 2015 Seattle, 2015, 2017 Portland, 2015, 2017, 2018 Testimonials"Sian is a dynamo and articulated the vision, priorities and commercial context of Kiwi Landing Pad with energy, intellect and grace. She is creative, fun and memorable in her approach and she had a very astute audience of 30 global women leaders mesmerised by her questions and insights - we look forward to spending more time with her in 2018." - Global Women "Sian recently participated in our It’s Business Time, a professional development conference for business studies teachers. "As well as being a marketing and organisational ninja, Sian has a powerful personal story having come through some tough times and is driven to make a difference for others. Sian shared her story at Festival for the Future to more than 1,300 people – she did awesome!" - Guy Ryan, CEO, Inspiring Stories "Sian was an engaging speaker who held our attention throughout her very professional delivery. She was passionate about her job as the Director of Community and Content for the Kiwi Landing Pad. We obtained a very good feel for the groundbreaking work her organization is doing, in giving young New Zealand entrepreneurs the assistance they need to get established in the USA market. We have no hesitation in recommending Sian as a guest speaker." Affiliations
Sian is closely linked with the team at Celebrity Speakers who currently look after her speaking projects and requests (outside of the Kiwi Landing Pad, BNZ and anything international).
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