26 Aug 2026
EmpowHer: More than Confidence
Navigating & Succeeding in Male Dominated Industries
For decades, women have been told to "lean in," be more confident, speak up, and negotiate harder. But is confidence really the missing piece?
Join us for a conversation with women who have built successful careers in industries traditionally dominated by men. Our panel will share the practical strategies, lessons they've learned along the way, and the mindset that has helped them succeed, lead teams, back themselves, and challenge some of the stereotypes that still exist.
Whether you're looking to take the next step in your career, lead a team, or simply hear how others have tackled challenges and created opportunities, there'll be plenty of practical advice, real experiences, and ideas to take away.
Our speakers:
Gilliam Westbrook, HR Manager, Laser Plumbing East Tamaki
Bio: Gillian Westbrooke is the Co-owner and Human Resources Manager of Laser Plumbing East Tamaki. Together with her husband Roger and business partner Marc, she has helped grow the business over the past 18 years into a large and leading trade business, recognised for its people, culture and customer service.
With a career spanning retail, facilities management and the trades, Gillian has held senior leadership roles with Safeway in London, BBC Television and Spotless Services before bringing her operational and people expertise into the plumbing industry.
Having spent nearly two decades helping lead a business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Gillian brings both lived experience and a passion for creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. She is a strong advocate for developing people, supporting women in the trades and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Gillian believes diverse perspectives make stronger businesses and better leaders. Outside of work, Gillian enjoys travel, cooking and entertaining, visiting contemporary art galleries and is currently learning to play golf.
Stacey Millar, General Manager, Waters & Farr / PKS Civil, Hynds Group
Bio: Stacey is General Manager and leads the plastic businesses within the Hynds Group. This includes Waters & Farr and PKS Civil, both specialists in the manufacture of polyolefin-based pipes and related structures. Stacey started with the Hynds Group in 2017 and prior to her current role, held executive responsibility for Strategy and Innovation. She has a background in major civils projects with engineering experience in construction design and delivery having previously worked for McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan. Alongside her role at Hynds, Stacey is a passionate advocate for the infrastructure sector, developing our people and ensuring long-term stability of sector opportunities and growth, via industry organisations including Infrastructure New Zealand and Water NZ. She is also a Volunteer Trustee for the Life Education Trust Auckland West.
Alicia Evans, Product Development Manager, F&P Healthcare
Bio: Alicia is driven by a desire to create products that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
She began her career as an engineer, determined to prove herself as a technical expert. Throughout her career, she has been fortunate to take on opportunities across sales, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs, which helped her build confidence in her strengths and where her interests could have the greatest impact. Today, Alicia leads talented teams to develop innovative medical technologies, grounded in a deep understanding of customer and patient needs.
She believes in bringing together people with different experience and expertise, and strives to create teams where people feel empowered to grow and succeed.
Alicia is also passionate about developing the STEM community, particularly supporting young women. Outside of work, she enjoys seeking out adventurous food and, as a former competitive cyclist, she still spends her weekends riding but now enjoys it with a lot more coffee stops.
This event is proudly sponsored by: ALPINE PRINT
Alpine Print is a full-service trusted print partner with the capability to handle everything from high-quality commercial printing and large format signage to promotional merchandise, publishing, and digital display solutions. At the Alpine Print Group, we support every stage of a client’s design, printing and marketing needs. We combine the scale and resources of a large provider with the responsiveness, humility and personal service of a family-owned business.
NB: This event is reserved for Business East Tamaki members only. Non-members who wish to attend may do so for a fee of $35 per person. Please contact comms@businesset.org.nz if you are a non-member and wish to attend.
Disclaimer: By attending this event, the participant consents to being recorded and photographed related to the event, and hereby authorises BusinessET to use the material in any form without further consent from or payment to the participant.
If an event is sponsored, the sponsor will receive the contact details of all registered attendees. The sponsor may choose to contact attendees at their discretion.
Refund policy for paid events: BusinessET offers a full refund if the booking is cancelled in writing at least 48 hours before the event. If the cancellation is received after this deadline a refund will not be offered. BusinessET reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrolment or other exceptional circumstances. In such circumstances, all participants will be offered a full refund. If an event is postponed, BusinessET will give participants the option of transferring to the new date or receiving a full refund.
For decades, women have been told to "lean in," be more confident, speak up, and negotiate harder. But is confidence really the missing piece?
Join us for a conversation with women who have built successful careers in industries traditionally dominated by men. Our panel will share the practical strategies, lessons they've learned along the way, and the mindset that has helped them succeed, lead teams, back themselves, and challenge some of the stereotypes that still exist.
Whether you're looking to take the next step in your career, lead a team, or simply hear how others have tackled challenges and created opportunities, there'll be plenty of practical advice, real experiences, and ideas to take away.
Our speakers:
Gilliam Westbrook, HR Manager, Laser Plumbing East Tamaki
Bio: Gillian Westbrooke is the Co-owner and Human Resources Manager of Laser Plumbing East Tamaki. Together with her husband Roger and business partner Marc, she has helped grow the business over the past 18 years into a large and leading trade business, recognised for its people, culture and customer service.
With a career spanning retail, facilities management and the trades, Gillian has held senior leadership roles with Safeway in London, BBC Television and Spotless Services before bringing her operational and people expertise into the plumbing industry.
Having spent nearly two decades helping lead a business in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Gillian brings both lived experience and a passion for creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. She is a strong advocate for developing people, supporting women in the trades and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Gillian believes diverse perspectives make stronger businesses and better leaders. Outside of work, Gillian enjoys travel, cooking and entertaining, visiting contemporary art galleries and is currently learning to play golf.
Stacey Millar, General Manager, Waters & Farr / PKS Civil, Hynds Group
Bio: Stacey is General Manager and leads the plastic businesses within the Hynds Group. This includes Waters & Farr and PKS Civil, both specialists in the manufacture of polyolefin-based pipes and related structures. Stacey started with the Hynds Group in 2017 and prior to her current role, held executive responsibility for Strategy and Innovation. She has a background in major civils projects with engineering experience in construction design and delivery having previously worked for McConnell Dowell and Fulton Hogan. Alongside her role at Hynds, Stacey is a passionate advocate for the infrastructure sector, developing our people and ensuring long-term stability of sector opportunities and growth, via industry organisations including Infrastructure New Zealand and Water NZ. She is also a Volunteer Trustee for the Life Education Trust Auckland West.
Alicia Evans, Product Development Manager, F&P Healthcare
Bio: Alicia is driven by a desire to create products that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
She began her career as an engineer, determined to prove herself as a technical expert. Throughout her career, she has been fortunate to take on opportunities across sales, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs, which helped her build confidence in her strengths and where her interests could have the greatest impact. Today, Alicia leads talented teams to develop innovative medical technologies, grounded in a deep understanding of customer and patient needs.
She believes in bringing together people with different experience and expertise, and strives to create teams where people feel empowered to grow and succeed.
Alicia is also passionate about developing the STEM community, particularly supporting young women. Outside of work, she enjoys seeking out adventurous food and, as a former competitive cyclist, she still spends her weekends riding but now enjoys it with a lot more coffee stops.
This event is proudly sponsored by: ALPINE PRINT
Alpine Print is a full-service trusted print partner with the capability to handle everything from high-quality commercial printing and large format signage to promotional merchandise, publishing, and digital display solutions. At the Alpine Print Group, we support every stage of a client’s design, printing and marketing needs. We combine the scale and resources of a large provider with the responsiveness, humility and personal service of a family-owned business.
NB: This event is reserved for Business East Tamaki members only. Non-members who wish to attend may do so for a fee of $35 per person. Please contact comms@businesset.org.nz if you are a non-member and wish to attend.
Disclaimer: By attending this event, the participant consents to being recorded and photographed related to the event, and hereby authorises BusinessET to use the material in any form without further consent from or payment to the participant.
If an event is sponsored, the sponsor will receive the contact details of all registered attendees. The sponsor may choose to contact attendees at their discretion.
Refund policy for paid events: BusinessET offers a full refund if the booking is cancelled in writing at least 48 hours before the event. If the cancellation is received after this deadline a refund will not be offered. BusinessET reserves the right to cancel an event due to low enrolment or other exceptional circumstances. In such circumstances, all participants will be offered a full refund. If an event is postponed, BusinessET will give participants the option of transferring to the new date or receiving a full refund.