Be the change you want to see.

Profile

Ziena Jalil is a strategic and influential keynote speaker, facilitator and MC with over 20 years of award-winning experience across diplomacy, business, and public sector leadership in Aotearoa and Asia.

A former New Zealand diplomat and Trade Commissioner to Singapore, she has worked at the intersection of global influence, public purpose, and equity—helping organisations thrive in times of transformation.

Known for her powerful storytelling and warm presence, Ziena draws on a deeply personal leadership journey—from her roots in Fiji as the descendant of indentured labourers, to leading trade, education, and diplomatic initiatives across Asia while raising two young children. Whether addressing international forums or mentoring emerging leaders, she speaks with clarity, empathy, and action-oriented insight.

Ziena is currently Deputy Chief Executive at Te Pūkenga and will join Hato Hone St John in September 2025 as Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy and Executive Operations. She has led major transformations in complex organisations, helped turn $100m deficits into surpluses, and rebuilt team culture in crisis. Her governance roles have included Education New Zealand, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, DNA, Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, and ATEED, among others.

A sought-after voice on leading through uncertainty, global citizenship, and inclusive leadership, Ziena's keynotes bridge sectors, generations, and worldviews. She has delivered acclaimed talks and emceed national and international summits with grace and impact – from Napier to New York, Hamilton to Ho Chi Minh City.

A testament to her professionalism and presence: Ziena is regularly invited back by organisers to MC and/or speak at events year after year—sometimes for four consecutive years—making her a trusted and familiar face for both audiences and teams.

Expertise

Talking Points

Bamboo Leadership: Thriving Through Uncertainty

From navigating $100m deficits to rebuilding trust in times of change, Ziena shares frameworks and real-life stories that show how leaders can turn volatility into opportunity. This talk is practical, hopeful, and rooted in lived experience, equipping audiences with the mindset, tools, and cultural intelligence to navigate complex, changing environments.

Wired for Connection: Humanity’s Edge in an AI World

In an era of machines that can think, our greatest advantage lies in what only humans can feel. Through stories and strategies, Ziena shows how curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and communication will define the leaders and organisations that thrive alongside AI.

Be the Change: Embracing and Creating a Better Future

Ziena’s entire career—from diplomacy and international education to governance and system transformation—has been driven by a desire to create meaningful change. In this powerful keynote, she challenges audiences to move from fear to action—to see change not as something to resist, but something to shape. Through compelling stories and practical insights, she inspires individuals and organisations to embrace adaptability, lead transformation, and be the change they want to see in the world.

Global Citizenship in a Fractured World

With international experience from Fiji to The Hague to Singapore, Ziena unpacks what it means to be a global citizen today—and why it matters more than ever. This keynote blends diplomacy, education, and personal narrative to inspire outward-looking leadership. With geopolitical tension, climate change, and economic nationalism on the rise, Ziena argues that the need for cross-cultural understanding has never been greater. Drawing from a decade leading New Zealand’s presence in Asia, she shares how to build soft power, forge resilient relationships, and foster inclusive, globally connected teams.

Global Leadership in Rapidly Changing Times

In a world defined by geopolitical upheaval, generative AI, and climate urgency, how do we lead with wisdom and agility? Ziena distills three core imperatives—geopolitical fluency, technological responsiveness, and sustainability—and pairs them with essential traits for modern leaders: curiosity, communication, collaboration, and cultural intelligence.

Everyone a Leader: Inclusive Leadership in a Changing Aotearoa

Leadership is not a job title—it’s how we show up, influence others, and create change. In this powerful and practical keynote, Ziena weaves personal stories, research, and national trends to challenge outdated models of leadership. She explores what inclusive leadership looks like in a future where Aotearoa is more diverse, digitally connected, and globally linked than ever—and equips audiences to lead from where they are, guided by identity, values, and intent.

MC and Facilitation

Ziena is an experienced and gifted MC and Faciliator. She is particularly well placed to host events and facilitate conversations on the following themes:
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Leadership and governance
- Economic development, including regional development
- Education vocational, international
- Future of work
- International relations
- Asia business
- Politics