Stephanie Rigter CMHRNZ

Please walk us through the journey that led you into your current role. 
My journey into People and Culture (P&C) was not a traditional one. If you had asked me earlier in my career whether I would end up in P&C, I probably would have said no. My background spans sales, operational and technology roles, very much “in the business” rather than in a traditional support function. Through those roles, I became part of the P&C team at MOVe, where I helped lead the training and rollout of a new technology system. From there, my role naturally evolved into a broader People and Culture focus, covering HR and Health & Safety. Now, working in P&C, I genuinely love what I do and value the diverse perspective my non‑traditional pathway brings. 

What is the best part of your job? 

The diversity. No two days are the same, and that variety keeps the work engaging and meaningful. I enjoy working across strategic and operational matters and being able to bring people to the forefront of work. Supporting individuals and leaders to do their best work, especially through moments of change or growth, is incredibly rewarding. 

What is a career highlight that stands out for you? 

A standout career highlight for me has been stepping into the General Manager People and Culture role at MOVe Logistics Group and joining the executive leadership team. Leading People and Culture at an organisational level has allowed me to influence strategy, culture, capability and wellbeing across a complex, multi‑site logistics business. The role draws strongly on my earlier experience in operational, commercial and transformation roles, enabling me to bridge “in‑the‑business” insight with strategic people leadership. Being trusted to lead at this level, and to help shape the organisation’s direction through its people, has been incredibly rewarding. 

What does becoming a Chartered Member mean to you personally? 

Personally, becoming a Chartered Member is both affirming and motivating. It provides a sense of assurance that my knowledge, experience and capability meet recognised industry standards. It also reinforces the importance of reflective practice and continuous development. Knowing there is a credible and consistent framework behind the recognition makes it especially meaningful. 

What pushed you towards pursuing Chartered Membership? 

My desire to continuously improve and learn was the key driver. I wanted to benchmark my skills and knowledge against industry standards and validate my professional experience and achievements. Chartered Membership also appealed because of the access it provides to a network of like‑minded professionals and high‑quality resources that support ongoing development. 

Now that you are a Chartered Member, what do you see as being the next steps for your career? 

Becoming a Chartered Member hasn’t changed anything specific about my direction, but it has validated the personal effort I put into staying informed, current and at the top of my game. The robustness of the assessment process gave that validation real weight. My focus remains on driving strategic people initiatives at MOVe Logistics and continuing to add value at an organisational level. I’m also keen to give back by supporting others across the HRNZ community as part of my ongoing professional journey.