Celebrating International Women's Day.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we're celebrating some of inspirational women in our business.
Lisa Baard, Chief People Officer
Lisa reflects on International Women's Day (IWD) as a moment for reflection, appreciation, and commitment. As a Chief People Officer in the manufacturing industry, she sees it as an opportunity to recognise the contributions of women in a field that has historically been male-dominated. It’s a time to celebrate the resilience, leadership, and innovation of women at all levels – on the factory floor, in management, and beyond.
As a mother of four, this day holds personal significance for Lisa. It reminds her of the responsibility to create a world where both her daughters and sons see equality as the norm, not the exception. It’s about ensuring that workplaces evolve to support women’s ambitions without forcing them to choose between career and family. For Lisa, this day is about action: fostering inclusive cultures, championing policies that support women’s growth, and mentoring the next generation of female leaders.
“It’s a call to keep pushing for progress, not just on March 8th, but every day.” – Lisa Baard
Lisa's proudest career achievement isn’t a title, a project, or a milestone – it’s the ability to build a fulfilling career while staying true to her values as a wife, mother, and leader. Balancing her career while raising four children and nurturing a strong marriage has been the most meaningful accomplishment of her life. Through integrity, trust, and hard work, she’s built a career that aligns with who she is. She’s championed workplace cultures that support people and advocated for policies that allow others to pursue both career success and personal fulfillment, knowing firsthand the challenges of doing so.
To support gender equity in the workplace, Lisa believes that action is required from everyone within the organisation. Leaders must implement fair policies, address bias, promote women into leadership, and create an inclusive culture. Employees should advocate for equal opportunities, challenge stereotypes, amplify women’s voices, and support fair distribution of work.
“Achieving gender equality isn’t just about supporting women—it’s about creating a stronger, more innovative, and inclusive workplace for all.” – Lisa Baard
Lisa draws inspiration from women who refuse to stay silent, even when speaking up comes with risks. She admires the mother who shows up to work after a sleepless night, proving resilience in both her personal and professional life. She respects the woman who steps into a male-dominated industry and pushes forward with confidence and determination. Lisa is inspired by leaders who advocate for others, friends who lift other women up instead of competing with them, and those who embody kindness, strength, persistence, and courage – not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
As a leader, the most important thing to Lisa is creating a culture of integrity, trust, and opportunity—where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. She believes leadership is about more than just driving results; it’s about fostering an environment where individuals, regardless of gender or background, can thrive. Lisa is committed to advocating for fairness, amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard, and ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities for growth, whether it’s championing gender equality, supporting working parents, or mentoring future leaders.
“My priority is to lead with authenticity and purpose – because true success is not just measured in business outcomes, but in the people we uplift along the way.” – Lisa Baard
Abby Ayson, Product and Market Development Manager
Abby Ayson has been at Godfrey Hirst NZ for 4 years, with a prior background in engineering. As our Product and Market Development Manager, she plays a key role liaising with our US crew to develop and launch innovative New Zealand-made wool carpets with designs and colours that hit the mark worldwide.
Her expertise extends to product management, supporting new launches and stock forecasting across the NZ residential hard and soft flooring portfolios and ensuring our offerings align with demand. Whether she’s playing around with new samples, working across time zones, or deep in the spreadsheets, Abby is always committed to excellence and finding better ways to wow our customers!
