In 1999, Theresa Gattung became the first female chief executive of a major New Zealand company at Telecom (now Spark). 

She broke through a major glass ceiling – paving the way for a prolific corporate career - co-founding My Food Bag, sitting on the board of healthcare start-up Tend, as well as the dating website Compatico.   

She’s been named a Dame in this King’s Birthday Honours alongside Joan Withers.   

Dame Theresa Gattung told Tim Beveridge “I wasn’t sure if it was a gag or not – 10 years ago when I got my previous honour, it came in the mail.” 

Gattung said “Girls looking up have to believe that anything is possible – they could be a Prime Minster, CEO, chair, or philanthropist. That’s what important.” 

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