She's Ran NZ's Biggest Companies. Losing Her Son Taught Her What None of Them Could

Dame Joan Withers is one of New Zealand’s most influential business leaders. Whether or not you know the name, you definitely know the companies she has been involved with.

She is the former Chair of The Warehouse, former CEO of Fairfax NZ and The Radio Network, and director across some of the country’s biggest organisations, including ANZ, TVNZ, Auckland Airport, Mercury, Sky and more.

She also does not do many podcasts, which makes this conversation feel even more special – especially given how open she was about some incredibly personal subjects.

Dame Joan talks candidly about ageing and cosmetic surgery, marriage, attraction, and what it takes to keep a relationship strong for more than five decades.

And in the most devastating part of the episode, Joan opens up about the devastating sudden loss of her only son, Jamie, 4 months earlier, and what grief teaches you that no boardroom ever can.

There is also lots of great business stuff – what being on a board really looks like, why she is leaving ANZ after 13 years, the behind the scenes of the deal that saw Fairfax purchase Trade-Me for $700 million, the toll of being the leading news story for something negative and much more.

This was the first time we met, and the conversation was not what I expected. I can imagine in her natural habitat of the board room she could be terrifying…but in the studio for this podcast Joan was open, kind, gracious and charming and I loved every minute of our chat.

*** Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate. If I could ask you to do one big favour, for me and for yourself, it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

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And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions. *** 00:00 Intro – Dame Joan Withers 01:48 The Reality of Boardroom Leadership 03:00 Leaving ANZ After 13 Years 04:30 Growing Up Working-Class in England 06:20 Moving to New Zealand at Age 6 08:40 “You Cannot Be What You Cannot See” 10:55 Meeting Her Husband Brian at 15 13:10 A 50+ Year Marriage (And Why It Works) 15:40 Young Mother, Knitting Business & Early Hustle 18:00 Losing Her Son Jamie 21:00 Supporting Her Grandchildren Through Grief 26:10 What Grief Teaches You 27:30 Health, Ageing & Staying Fit at 72 28:40 Facelifts, Botox & Being Honest About Ageing 30:30 Getting an MBA at 36 (Imposter Syndrome) 35:20 The Radio Career – Turning I-98FM Into #1 38:45 Handling Big Egos in Radio 41:00 Becoming CEO of The Radio Network 43:20 The Future of Radio & Media 45:45 CEO of Fairfax & Buying Trade Me 50:15 Leadership Lessons from David Kirk 52:45 The Feltex Crisis & Media Scrutiny 57:30 Mental Health During the Feltex Scandal 59:40 What Corporate Board Directors Actually Do 01:02:00 How Boardrooms Really Work 01:06:45 Why She’ll Never Fully Retire 01:08:30 Tough Conversations & Leadership Style 01:09:50 Reading 300+ Pages for Board Meetings 01:12:20 Career Reflections & Breaking Expectations 01:14:30 Sexism in Corporate New Zealand 01:16:50 Working With John Key 01:18:20 Becoming a Dame 01:19:10 Horse Riding & Life Outside Work 01:21:20 Redefining Success – “Peace of Mind” 01:23:40 The Secret to a 50-Year Marriage 01:26:20 Living With Grief 01:28:30 Coping vs Healing 01:29:55 Regrets & Life Lessons 01:30:30 Thoughts on Legacy 01:32:25 What She Wants Her Grandchildren to Remember