In 2011, Game Changers photographer Andrea Francolini launched his charity, First School Pakistan, and built a school in a rural and mountainous part of the country. Here he talks to Gemma Acton about his philanthropy and photography career.Andrea Francolini on the set of Game Changers with Gemma ActonGemma: From award-winning photography to philanthropist,…
From dazzling on the skating rink as a champion figure skater to revolutionising the corporate world. Janice Elsley has become a master at transforming businesses, an expert in leadership and change. She's built a reputation for improving businesses by unlocking human potential and driving people first performance. So is she a game changer? Let's find…
She went from fashion modelling to editing iconic magazines and from running an ASX 200 company to becoming a leader in the not-for-profit world. Deborah Thomas’s career has been ever-changing with soaring highs and challenging lows. There’s almost nothing she hasn’t done—or survived. So, is she a game changer? Let’s find out.Gemma Acton: Deborah, it is hard…
In 2025, the entrepreneurial spirit is not just alive; it is thriving, driven by innovative ideas and a deep-seated desire for success. Consider the captivating journeys of entrepreneurs including Nick Molnar, founder of AfterPay and one of our early Game Changers, and tech pioneers such as Naomi Simson, who also appeared on our site. Their…
She grew up in caravan parks, and her first job was answering phones at a tech startup. Today, Vanessa Sorenson is Microsoft New Zealand MD, and an advocate for girls embracing STEM and inclusivity. This tech leader knows what it means to be down—and climb back up. So, is she a game changer? Let’s find…
Here, we talk to four incredible innovators. From Deborah Thomas, CEO of Camp Quality, to Vanessa Sorenson, MD NZ Microsoft, to Erin Burke, Head of Procurement for Pepperstone and Paul Queeney, CTO Trinity GrammarWhat makes a game changer? We asked our guests to share their insights.Deborah Thomas: To me, what makes a game…
Born and raised on a council estate in Northern England, an ad in a local paper—followed by university as a mature-age student—set Paul Queeney on a path far from home. His adventurous career has taken him to Moscow, Prague, Hong Kong and Jamaica, but he’s come to call Australia home. First with some big retail…
Growing up on New Zealand’s coast, Erin Burke was schooled early in financial literacy. Her parents had her work full-time during summer holidays and save a portion of her paycheck. Initially working in government, her career unexpectedly pivoted into the fast-paced world of finance. Her latest role? Leadership at a global FinTech platform. So, is…
From programmer to an industry leader who is transforming the health sector, David Calvo, CIO at Northern Health, is passionate about the cloud security and big data.Motivated by the knowledge, his role can and does make a difference to people's lives. His big focus now is the digital transformation of the health service he…