Mel is currently CEO of the Blackstone portfolio company, the NEC Group—the UK’s largest live entertainment and events company. She’s a woman of influence on the international stage and would like to see young Māori women aspiring to lead global companies.
“My goal is to build a cohort of brilliant Māori businesswomen who can run the world—or at least some big global companies. Financial support, mentoring, and access to other fantastic people in networks (including other scholarship recipients) will help get these wāhine on their way."
The first scholarship recipient Laura Scatchard (Tūhourangi, Te Arawa) is a designer and ex-teacher who is now studying for both an Executive Master of Business Administration and Postgraduate Certificate in Indigenous Studies. A familiar face at Rutherford House, Laura is also the entrepreneurship coordinator for Te Kahu o Te Ao—The Atom innovation space.
Laura will receive $15,000 towards the costs of her study from the scholarship.
Laura grew up in the rural outskirts of Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, and attributes her skills in resourcefulness and creativity to the self-sufficient lifestyle her mother nurtured. Growing up surrounded by nature, eating home-grown meat and produce, and wearing home-made clothing, Laura says these humble beginnings were what led to her love for creativity, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Elements of this upbringing however—along with her struggles with ADHD— may have somewhat contributed to her feelings of imposter syndrome in adulthood, she says.
“I almost didn’t apply for the scholarship. In fact, I almost withdrew my application a couple of times. I didn’t feel that I was deserving of it. That I wasn’t smart enough, young enough, ‘business’ enough, or even Māori enough. As a neurodivergent person I also had feelings that I just wasn’t capable enough.
“I want to thank those who selected me for seeing through all that, because now—on the other side of it—I feel supported, validated, and more confident.”
Laura chose to take on the MBA to develop her competency and confidence in business leadership.
“For me it is important, for women and Māori, to be able to speak the same language as those in leadership positions and positions of power. Our systems tend to prevent minority groups from sitting at the ‘adults table’, and what I would like to see is more Māori, more wāhine, and more creative people making impactful decisions—in business.”
She sometimes struggles with what seems like a choice between making money and creating social impact, however speaking with Mel confirmed her decision to focus on her business acumen.
“Mel told me that making impact can be difficult when you don’t have money, which made me even more curious about the ethics of business and its place in making positive impact.”
Mel completed her MBA in the United States, then worked for 12 years at global management consultant McKinsey & Company, where she ended up becoming a partner. They valued drive, determination, and intrinsic qualities above most other things.
She says that the most important criteria for her scholarship are solid academic credentials and drive—“that’s it.”
“After my experience with McKinsey & Company, I don’t think anything really intimidated me, as I had met people from all walks of life—from CEOs to frontline factory workers.
“I am still sometimes surprised to be the only woman or the only ethnic minority (or both) in a room. It does mean you can get treated differently, or noticed more, but I mostly figure out how to use that to my advantage.”
Mel’s advice to young Māori women aspiring to pursue a career in business are to "Raise your aspirations! Too many women don’t think they can reach the highest heights—well we won’t if we don’t try.
“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei. (Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain).”
Laura urges other wāhine studying to apply for everything they can.
“If you get chosen for a scholarship, it’s because you deserve it. Apply for what you’re eligible for and leave it up to the decision makers to choose. Study is hard, particularly in business, so give yourself the best shot you can and make use of the supports while they’re available.
“It’s not just about money, it’s about accountability and mentorship and feeling supported—that someone’s in your corner. Now Mel is in my corner, I am motivated more than ever to go for what I want, and get myself in a position where I can pay it forward.”