Once again, we'll be hosting our popular breakfast panel event at HealthTech Week. 

We have four fabulous speakers lined up to discuss the topics of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

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Noor Syed CTO for Health, Microsoft 

Noor is of Pakistani origin, grew up in Dubai and has been in NZ for the last 10 years. Noor works as a Chief Technology Officer for Health in NZ at Microsoft. Noor is also the external partnerships lead for GLEAM (LGBTQIA+ chapter) at Microsoft. Noor has been involved in a lot of community work to support Asian LGBTQIA+ communities, families and also mentoring young women in Tech. At the core of her values, Noor believes in empowering others, that everyone has inherent leadership in them, and where an anchored sense of identity plays a huge role. Coming from a truly diverse background herself, she is a strong advocate for diversity in every aspect of life. 

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Alex Kemp Consultant Hauora Team, PwC

Alex has over 25 years' experience in the health and disability sector as a clinician and senior health leader and has extensive experience in systems transformation. An autistic neurodivergent, Alex brings lived experience to her understanding of health and wider systems, and is committed to her role as Tangata Tiriti and her obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

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Dr Sally Britnell Senior Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow, School of Clinical Sciences, AUT

Sally is a senior lecturer in nursing at AUT University and a Senior Research Fellow for the School of Clinical Sciences. She is passionate about innovation and accessibility. Beyond her clinical and academic expertise, Sally's leadership extends to strategic roles on boards and committees, where she advocates for policies that integrate Te Titiri o Waitangi principles. Her governance experience, program and portfolio management proficiency, and policy development underscores her commitment to driving positive healthcare accessibility changes. Her research is at the intersection of health and technology, with projects spanning from virtual reality simulations of visual fields to developing digital accessibility and standards. Her interdisciplinary approach, encompassing nursing, health informatics, computer science, and accessibility positions her in the field of innovative healthcare solutions. Sally is deafblind and has a guide dog, Sienna. 

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Nick Astwick CEO Southern Cross Health Society 

Nick joined Southern Cross Health Society as CEO in 2017. The Society is New Zealand's largest health-related insurance group responsible for health, travel, pet and life insurance for more than a million New Zealander's. 

Southern Cross is a purpose driven and profit conscious organisation. It has a vision of a healthier Society and a purpose of empowering New Zealander's to live well for longer. This vision and purpose fuels Nick's motivation to ensure Southern Cross is relevant to New Zealander's and their communities, now, and well into the future. 

Nick has more than 27 years' experience in the financial services sector holding various leadership and governance roles across retail, insurance, and investment banking organisations. 

Nick is an experienced Director and Trustee. He has served and continues to serve as a director on numerous Kiwibank and Southern Cross subsidiary boards. He is ex-Chair and Trustee of Leadership New Zealand, ex-Future Director at Vector, and current Director on the WoolAid Board. 

Nick is a proud Kiwi who strongly believes in the potential and prosperity of New Zealand and was raised in Christchurch with classic Kiwi upbringing and values. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury. 

Married to Georgina for 21 years, the couple enjoy keeping fit and supporting their two children, Charlie (17) and Katie (14) in their sports and pursuits. Together the family spends time together in the outdoors, with a keen interest in mountain biking and travelling. 

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Our panel will be moderated by Kylie Williams, COO, HiNZ

Kylie has over 25 years of global management expertise across the commercial and social profit sectors, with expertise in digital media and digital transformation in the health, disability and humanitarian aid sectors. Kylie worked in the commercial sector for BBC Worldwide, NZ Herald (NZME), and as a Senior Manager in the Partner Business Development and Developer Experience teams at Microsoft NZ, running major events and working with tertiary students and startups. She was part of the Global Accessibility Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and involved in outreach programmes funded by Microsoft Philanthropies. More recently, Kylie has been working in the social profit and charitable sector, and is passionate about promoting diversity, inclusion and equity. Last year she was diagnosed with adult ADHD, and has finally realised why she can hyper focus so well, but can never find her car keys:-)

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