(Above L-R: Kirsten Massey, Polly Pope, Cath Shirley-Brown)
Russell McVeagh partners Kirsten Massey, Polly Pope and Cath Shirley-Brown have been named new members of Global Women in 2023, recognised for their ability to influence and advocate for diversity, equality and leadership.
They join Russell McVeagh's Board Chair Allison Arthur-Young, CEO Jo Avenell and Corporate partner Mei Fern Johnson who are among an impressive group of 350-plus existing members committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and across Aotearoa New Zealand.
"It is an honour to be a member of Global Women and to see Kirsten, Polly and Cath's and other members' impressive commitment and efforts in creating positive changes for women in the profession," says CEO Jo Avenell. "Global Women is paving the way for more diverse leadership in New Zealand."
Kirsten Massey
As Practice Group Chair of Russell McVeagh's National Litigation Group, Kirsten is a huge influence and mentor to those within her team and the firm and leads by example, including heading up the firm's Supper Club events programme, a popular network for women to share their experiences and to support each other as well as an active supporter of Russell McVeagh's Breakfast Club programme, which is a similar forum for junior women to connect and share experiences within their peer group.
Polly Pope
Polly stands out as a champion for quality and diversity and leverages her leadership position to positively influence and inspire those around her. Polly co-founded Women in Restructuring and Insolvency, a well-embedded professional network for women in law firms, banks and accountancy firms, which has fostered increasing gender equity for women in the sector in New Zealand. She is co-chair of Russell McVeagh's Pro Bono Committee which centres diversity and inclusion as a key focus, and is also co-chair of Russell McVeagh's Successions and Admissions Committee, playing a crucial role in selecting the future leaders of the firm that will positively shape the firm into the future.
Cath Shirley-Brown
Cath is passionate about driving diversity and gender inclusion in the workplace and is proud to be an advocate for equality in business. She is a pro bono adviser for women and non-binary support networks such as International Women's Forum and Coralus (formerly SheEO) and a key member of the board of Thomas Reuters' Change Makers, a panel championing diversity within law firms in New Zealand. Cath is also an active supporter of Russell McVeagh's Breakfast Club programme and the New Zealand Law Society's mentoring programme, both of which facilitate connection and support for junior women lawyers.
You can learn more here.