Speakers

Jehan Casinader is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and mental health advocate.

His media career began at just 13, presenting his first story on national TV. At 28, he was named “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, and everything in between, Jehan has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their deeply personal stories.

Behind the scenes, he had a private battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, which he shared in his book, “This Is Not How It Ends: How Rewriting Your Story Can Save Your Life”.

Now a personal development speaker, Jehan teaches the hardest “soft” skills – through epic live storytelling. A respected voice on communication, leadership, and workplace culture, he’s trusted by more than 150 organisations across New Zealand and Australia.

Jehan shared his powerful story at our 2023 conference in Auckland. Now, he returns with a new presentation that will change the way you think, work and engage with others.

Proudly sponsored by BCITO

James Laughlin isn’t just another leadership speaker — he’s the #1 best-selling author of Habits of High Performers, a seven-time world champion, and a trusted advisor to leaders and teams at the highest level. From corporate boardrooms to Antarctica, James has equipped and inspired people in some of the most challenging environments on earth.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, James has transformed not only elite athletes and billion-dollar CEOs but entire teams — empowering every team member to embrace personal mastery, adaptability, and high-performance habits. His proprietary frameworks are designed to cut through complexity and give people the clarity and tools to achieve extraordinary results.

What sets James apart is his lived experience of winning against the odds. From leading an underdog team of Kiwi musicians to a history-making world championship, to serving as the mental skills coach for Canterbury Rugby, he brings a pragmatic, proven approach that resonates across industries and cultures.

Beyond the stage, James hosts the #1-ranked Lead on Purpose podcast, where he draws insights from global icons — from Fortune 500 CEOs to world leaders. His message is clear: high performance isn’t reserved for a few — with the right mindset and tools, every person can elevate their game and contribute to sublime results.

Proudly sponsored by CGF
This presentation and workshop is supported by funding from the Construction Growth Foundation (CGF), which invests in initiatives that strengthen skills, pathways, and collaboration across New Zealand's construction industry.

Stanley Henry is the founder and CEO of The Attention Seeker, an Auckland agency that runs social media for brands like Pizza Hut NZ, One New Zealand, and Meridian Energy. Everything his team does is organic. No paid ads.
The numbers tell the story. The agency has built 1.4 million followers on its own channels, generated more than 1.2 billion organic views for clients, and writes a daily newsletter read by 35,000 people.
Stanley is also known for rebuilding his own business around AI, cutting his team from 40 to 18 without replacing a single role. He is a TEDx speaker, host of the Stansplaining podcast, and works with clients across New Zealand, Australia, the US, the UK, and the UAE.

Business Mentors New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to nurturing business growth nationwide through one-to-one business mentoring. With a proven track record of supporting over 80,000 small business owners and a diverse network of 1500+ mentors, we are all about empowering SMEs to succeed.

Sarah serves as Chief Executive of Business Mentors NZ. She is a results-focussed, experienced business leader. She has experienced the character-building challenges and the exhilarating highs, of owning a Deloitte Fast 50 business – at the time, the fastest growing business owned by a woman in New Zealand.

Sarah is an advocate for small business, drawing on her experience leading BMNZ, which has mentored over 85,000 small business owners over 34 years.

Stan Rolston’s career in carpentry and joinery began in the late 1970s, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to craftsmanship and industry excellence. He went on to establish Kapiti Kitchen and Bathroom Centre, specialising in high‑quality kitchen and bathroom remodelling. Over the decades, the business earned a reputation for expertise, precision, and integrity - values that have defined Stan’s work from the beginning.

A Certified Kitchen & Bathroom Designer (CKD/CBD NZ), Advanced Trade Certified Carpenter & Joiner, and Licensed Building Practitioner, Stan is also one of the original members of NKBA New Zealand. After more than 40 years in the industry, he has recently sold his business and stepped into a well‑earned retirement.

At this year’s conference, Stan will reflect on his career journey, the evolution of the industry, and the lessons learned along the way. With four decades of hands‑on experience, attendees can expect insight, perspective - and a few great stories.