Inclusive by Design: Embedding Real Belonging in NZ Workplaces

Presenter Details

Tammy Hebditch - General Manager, People & Planet at Pinnacle Health

Born and raised in Canada, Tammy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology before relocating to London for an overseas adventure. Since moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2000, she has worked in both secondary and primary health and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from The University of Waikato. Tammy is an HR practitioner with 25+ years of experience. She finds joy in building trusted relationships to achieve shared goals and seeing people fulfil their potential. A strategist at heart, Tammy enjoys designing and implementing solutions aimed at making a lasting positive impact. She has experience developing work cultures that embrace inclusion and progress, and is focused on improving eco-friendly practices to safeguard the future of the planet and the wellbeing of communities. Tammy is proud to be a leadership team member for an organisation who shares her values. She joined Pinnacle a very long time ago (too many years to count!) and has a deep appreciation for the primary health workforce and the important role it plays in the health system.

Kacey Graham - Leadership & Capability Manager at Powerco

Born in Palmy (Ngāti Kauwhata), Kacey Graham grew up in Feilding and Tokoroa, spent teenage years in Kirikiriroa, moved to Pōneke at 24, and is now based in Tāmaki Makaurau with whānau — partner Matt, son Jahkobi, first moko Oziah and his māmā, Akshi. Kacey has been with Powerco for 16 years, the last three as Leadership & Capability Manager in the People & Culture Team. In this role, Kacey has led the design and delivery of a Leadership Development Programme for both emerging and established leaders. Developed in collaboration with Māori leaders and organisational experts, the programme is grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā and weaves Te Ao Māori principles throughout. It enhances emotional intelligence, self-leadership, and cultural competency, while the modules on leading self, leading others, and leading business are anchored in three core principles: Connection, Inclusion, and Culture. This mahi, which integrates tikanga and Māori cultural values into leadership and HR practices, led to Kacey and her mahi being recognised: • Finalist 2024 Deloitte Top 200 “Diversity & Inclusion Leadership” award • Recipient of the 2025 HRNZ “Mana Tangata - Emerging Māori HR” award • Recipient of the 2025 NZ Energy Excellence Wellbeing award for “Embedding Te Whare Tapa Whā into leadership development” Kacey values the mahi and the people who make it possible — describing the team as smart, talented, collaborative, hardworking, supportive, and fun. As Kacey often reflects, “things in common create connection, differences make us stronger.”