Taranaki Women in Leadership: Fireside Chat & Networking LunchFriday 1 August | 12:00pm – 2:30pmTET MultiSports Centre, Stadium Restaurant & Bar, Stratford

Join us for an inspiring midday gathering celebrating local leadership, connection, and kōrero.

Hear from two powerhouse speakers—Shelley Kopu, principal of her specialist employment law firm Shelley Kopu Law, and Trish Rankin, Chair of Dairy Women’s Network—in a fireside chat hosted by Lauren Wallace (GQ Law, and TWiL Committee Member).

The conversation kicks off at 12pm, followed by kai and networking from 1:15pm.

This event is proudly supported by Dairy Women’s Network and Taranaki Veterinary Clinic.

All are welcome—come to connect, be inspired, and support the growing momentum of women in leadership across Taranaki.

Trish is a community-focused leader with strong experience in the rural and not-for-profit sectors. She is an owner-operator of a family dairy farm with husband Glen, a former New Zealand Dairy Woman of the Year, and a Kellogg Scholar.

Currently Chair of the Dairy Women’s Network, Trish leads strategic refresh for its 12,000 members, serves as a Director and Risk Committee Chair at Taranaki Vets, and has recently stepped in as Acting Managing Director at Welfarm. Her broad leadership experience spans sector governance, policy setting, environmental management, and financial oversight. Trish holds a Diploma of Teaching, Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Digital Technologies, Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Agribusiness and a Postgraduate Certificate in Business, Innovation and Circular Economies. A Member of the Institute of Directors, she is committed to ongoing development and being a lifelong learner. She has four very active boys aged 12-20 years, with the older two away studying in Canterbury and Wellington and the younger two attending local schools in the place she calls home - Ōpunakē.

Shelley is an experienced employment barrister, mediator, investigator and governor. While studying for her degree in law, Shelley developed a successful career in Human Resources in international law and accounting firms. She has gone on to work in both private practice and inhouse, while growing a governance portfolio spanning iwi (Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa), commercial (New Plymouth Airport), Health and Social Services (Tui Ora) and Sports (Auckland Rugby League). Reflecting her commitment to her community, Shelley is also a Trustee of the Youthline, the Josiah Mika Foundation, and St Peters College