Bridging the Gap: Career Readiness for HR Students

Presenter Details

Riëtte Ackermann, Manager, Exec and Prof Development, The University of Auckland

Riëtte is an Executive and Professional Development Manager at the University of Auckland Business School, where she designs impactful learning experiences to equip professionals for success. With over 16 years of experience in leadership development across New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK, she brings a global perspective to adult learning, coaching, and facilitation. Riëtte holds a background in psychology, with postgraduate studies focused on organisational and leadership development, and has received international recognition for her innovative teaching approaches and coaching excellence. Her passion lies in helping individuals and organisations grow through tailored, high-impact development initiatives. She offers valuable perspectives on the skills, mindsets, and behaviours that foster career readiness and support success in today’s evolving professional landscape.

Tara Fisher, Founding Director, Need Recruitment

Tara is the Founding Director of Need Recruitment working extensively within the recruitment sector as a generalist covering the corporate and commercial space. She has been involved in the recruitment profession since 2006 and has had the privilege of helping hundreds of candidates throughout this time both with employment opportunities and career advice. Passionate about what she does, the relationships she has been able to build have allowed her to partner with clients and candidates alike providing support where needed resulting in the best outcomes for both. Tara takes the time to deep dive into particular scenarios to be sure she uncovers hidden talents; building the confidence of those she interacts with and ensuring top quality skillsets are uncovered and highlighted. Tara has a memory for faces and personal journeys shared; an avid listener with a focus on adding value Tara is known to help anyone she comes into contact with. She looks forward to sharing the panel platform with fellow speakers and spending time with you.

Chlöe Dickie, marketing professional and recent HR graduate

Chlöe is a seasoned marketing professional with over ten years’ experience delivering award-winning global campaigns for international brands and leading high-functioning, multi-disciplinary teams. Now transitioning into a Human Resources career, Chlöe recently graduated from the University of Auckland with a Master of Business Management with Honors, specialising in HRM. Chlöe is passionate about future-focused, strategic HRM and parlaying her leadership expertise and experience gained from working in dynamic, high-impact environments into creating meaningful, employee-centred organisational strategies. Drawing on her own career transition and two years of post-graduate studies, Chlöe offers insights into how students can bridge the gap between their studies and professional careers and equip themselves with the tools to succeed.

MODERATOR Dr Deepika Jindal, The University of Auckland

Deepika is the Subject Group Lead for Management at the University of Auckland Business School, where she teaches Human Resource Management and related courses. She also serves as Programme Director for the Master of Business Management programme. Primarily an educator, Deepika maintains an active research interest in job crafting. She is the Branch President of HRNZ’s Academic Branch and a member of its Auckland Branch committee. Additionally, she contributes as a committee member at the Women in Business Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand. Before entering academia, she spent nearly a decade in the Corporate HR department of a leading Indian manufacturing conglomerate. Deepika is a Chartered Fellow of HRNZ and a Fellow of Advance HE (UK).

Add to Calendar