We Thrive Together is a 12-week leadership programme designed to equip women from diverse ethnic backgrounds (Women of Colour) with the skills, knowledge, tools, and confidence to build meaningful connections and thrive in the workplace.
Throughout the programme, participants will engage in practical, interactive workshops and activities that enhance their skills, expand their networks, and provide valuable insights to succeed in professional environments.
The programme is suitable for Women of Colour. This includes:
Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds
Students preparing to enter the workforce (e.g., tertiary, MA, and PhD students)
Mothers re-entering the workforce
The programme will cover:
Identity, Belonging, and Being Your Authentic Self:
Learn how to confidently embrace your authentic identity. Understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with having intersectional identities.Identifying Personal Strengths: Discover your unique strengths and how to leverage them in a professional setting.
Leadership and Effective Communication: Learn how to advocate for yourself and communicate your needs with clarity and confidence.
Building Connections and Networking: Develop effective strategies to build meaningful connections and expand your professional network.
Benefits of the We Thrive Together Programme:
Join a cohort of women from diverse ethnic backgrounds and become part of a supportive community where you can connect with peers, share knowledge, and develop professional relationships.
Participate in 6 x 2-hour practical and interactive online workshops that will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to connect, network and thrive.
Learn from inspiring guest speakers who will share valuable insights from their experiences in various sectors.
Access a private online platform for your cohort to exchange knowledge and experiences.
By the end of the programme, you will have gained valuable knowledge, tools, and insights, as well as become part of a supportive community that will assist you in effectively navigating the workplace. The programme is designed to enhance your skills and equip you with the resources needed to thrive in your career.
All workshops & activities are online, so you can connect from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand or around the world!
Upcoming Programme: October 2025
Interested in attending our programme in October 2025?
We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us and we'll keep you updated when registration for the programme opens.
Customisation for organisations: The programme can be tailored to your organisation’s needs and delivered in-house.
For more information, please contact us.
Meet the Facilitators & Guest Speaker
Dr. Fatima Junaid - Facilitator and Senior Lecturer, School of Management, Massey University Dr. Junaid is an experienced consultant and educator with over a decade of experience in the public and private sectors. She specialises in organisational behaviour and HR. Her work focuses on wellbeing and stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health, and psychosocial risks at work. Her current research projects include migrant and refugee wellbeing, women's exclusion and marginalisation, PTSD and its outcomes in the organisational context, and health and safety and psychosocial risks in New Zealand in the wake of COVID-19. Dr. Junaid publishes in both academic journals and non-academic media.
Dr. Hend Zaki - Founder and Lead Facilitator Dr Zaki has over 15 years of professional experience in government, regional and international organisations. She is dedicated to supporting and uplifting women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. She is the founder of the Women of Colour in the Public Sector Network (WOCPSN) and Rahma Sisters, which are safe spaces for women with intersectional identities to connect, support one another and thrive. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) accredited professional, she specialises in issues of intersectionality, identity, and belonging. To find out more about her, please visit our about page.
Dr Hanlie Booysen is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in diplomacy, academia, and public service. Currently, she serves as a public servant in Wellington, where she works to foster better Māori Crown relations. Her career spans two continents and encompasses diverse roles in government and academia. In her former career as a South African diplomat, Dr Booysen served in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. Her academic pursuits led her to obtain a PhD in Religious Studies from Victoria University of Wellington/Te Herenga Waka. Dr Booysen is also a founding member of the Middle East and Islamic Studies Aotearoa (MEISA) network. Dr Booysen's unique combination of diplomatic experience, academic expertise, and public service allows her to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical insights. Her work contributes to a better understanding and engagement between different cultures and communities.
Niyaaz Sayed - Coach, Purpose Finder & Strategist Niyaaz has over 25 years’ experience in the areas of leadership, people strategy, workforce planning, data analysis and customer care. He served in the New Zealand Public Service for 20 of those years where, through his role as an in-house organisational coach and as a people leader, he has empowered individuals and teams to uncover their purpose, play to their strengths, and stay true to their values. Faith is an integral part of Niyaaz’s approach – not as something to impose but as something to honour. He is especially passionate about working with clients who have experienced change, emigration, relationship breakups, self-doubt, or a struggle with self-worth – helping them navigate these challenges while staying true to themselves.