Teresa Tepania-Ashton

CEO, Maori Women’s Development Inc

Teresa has 12 years experience in corporate banking with CITIBANK. She was responsible for major corporate clients in New Zealand that were focussed on global cash management and prior to that for more than a decade Teresa worked for a Danish Dairy Engineering firm.  This enabled Teresa to travel extensively throughout the World giving her a good grasp of the International arena and the many diverse cultures.

She took up a position with HortResearch as the Business development leader for Maori where she helped Māori develop land-based projects looking for accelerated pathways to industry and exporting.

In July 2004, she was appointed as the CEO of Te Runanga a-Iwi o Ngāpuhi..  This role bought many challenges as well as allowing Teresa to focus on developing the assets of Ngapuhi but more importantly the aspirations of the Ngapuhi people.

Teresa is currently appointed as CEO for Maori Women’s Development Inc who are a micro-lending organisation offering business loans to Maori women and their whanau.

Teresa has also gained Governance experience while serving on both not for profit and commercial boards.  At present Teresa holds Directorships for Te Runanga o Te Aupouri’s Commercial and Fishing Companies and Chairs the Partner Working Group “Te Mangai Penapena Putea” (Financial Literacy & Savings goal under He Kai Kei Aku Ringa).

In 1999 Teresa was also awarded the Dame Mira Scazy Alumni Award from Auckland University, in 2015, she was a finalist in the “Women of Influence Awards” in the Not for Profit Category and 2016 finalist in the Board & Management Category, not to mention the many awards, achievements and acknowledgements she has received within her professional workspace.