Who is Lucies?
Founder
EVIE ASHTON
Evie Ashton created Lucies so women could directly empower themselves and each other, now. She is an entrepreneur and co-directer of Inspired Learning with her husband, a successful professional development company specialising in personal leadership, resilience and creative collaboration. Evie is a journalist working in broadcasting and public relations. She has told stories about ordinary and extraordinary people and specialised in no-spend PR campaigns for charitable organisations. Evie has a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and a Grad Dip in Psychology. She produces and performs in C-Suite, an all-women improv troupe in the Covert Theatre. Evie belongs to a local kapa haka ropu and is a member of SheEO NZ.
Advisor
KIRSTY CAMPBELL
Kirsty is a professional director and commercial adviser who has held a range of roles in corporate finance, banking, law and regulation. She has an attentive interest in women’s leadership and actively invests her expertise in women with pragmatic, world-changing and kick-ass businesses, projects and ideas. She is a member of the board of Public Trust, an independent director of NZHL, Salt Funds, Toitū Envirocare and New Plymouth PIF Guardians. She is also a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal and has several other governance roles. Her previous roles include Simplicity NZ (Independent Director), the Financial Markets Authority (Head of Supervision) and ANZ Commercial & Agri. Kirsty is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, a certified member of INFINZ and a member of Global Women. She has a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, from the University of Edinburgh.
Advisor
Liz Maguire
Liz has 30 years’ experience in banking, payments and digital technology. She is the former Head of Digital and Transformation at ANZ Bank in New Zealand and was a member of ANZ New Zealand’s executive leadership team for four years. Liz is widely recognised as a thought leader in digital transformation in New Zealand. Liz is the founder and CEO of Five Points Digital Limited, a specialist digital consultancy that helps corporates with digital transformation. She is also an independent director for Implemented Investment Solutions Ltd and InvestNow Savings & Investment Ltd, specialist investment management companies and Education Payroll Ltd, a crown entity. Liz has a BCom in Management Studies & Labour Relations from the University of Auckland and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Business Mentor
Mark Debenham
Mark is a Customer Director at NZTE, New Zealand’s international business development agency. Originally from the UK, Mark has held a number of national and regional leadership roles across New Zealand, Australia, Asia-Pacific and the UK primarily in the tech sector. He has a passion and skill for developing individuals and teams and a deep empathy for customers. He also loves strategy to meet business growth and profitability goals. Mark is a member of the Business.Org programme and a board member for a Youth Development Trust in South Auckland. He is married to a Kiwi with 2 teenage boys which makes for some good conversations when the All Bla.. ehem, Black Ferns play England.
Social Media
CALLIOPE RYDER
Calliope is a gamerunner and producer working at Starcolt on (currently!) Best Friend Forever. With a background in performing arts and public relations, Calliope brings a wide range of expertise to her work and industry and has a deep interest in inclusivity in gaming. She teaches high-school girls how to make games and is one of the four driving forces behind Accessibility Unlocked an initiative that advocates for accessibility and connection for the disabled, neurodiverse, gender diverse, queer and allies. Calliope also manages Developer Events and Awards for the New Zealand Games Festival.
Events & Activation
Liz Kruse
Liz has twenty plus years of experience as a multi-media and creative producer. Working across the arts, broadcast production, advertising, corporate brand and experiential marketing. This work spans, New York, Asia and New Zealand. Liz has come on board with Lucies because growing up she had no financially independent role models who were women. She wants to help grow a powerful female community that generates multiple pathways to financial education and empowerment.