Hirecon26 Speakers
HIRECON26 offers inspirational, motivational speakers and great educational sessions.
Sione Faumuina
Keynote speaker - Former NRL Player
Engaging. Inspirational. Life-Changing.
13 years ago he hit rock bottom. From the highs of being a professional athlete to working in a bottle shop on minimum wage. The journey from then to where he is now is one full of valuable lessons.
Sione is a former NRL and Kiwi League player, a married father of four beautiful children, business owner, speaker, author and facilitator on all things well-being.
His passion is to empower people to step into their purpose. Overcoming adversity requires grit, determination and most importantly, purpose.
Sione isn’t your typical motivation speaker. He brings a rare combination of raw life experience, evidence-based leadertship frameworks, and unmatched presence on stage. Don’t miss this opening keynote speaker.
Michael Gordon
Senior Economist, Westpac
One battle after another: The economic outlook in the face of the latest energy shock.
Michael has been part of Westpac’s economics and strategy team since 2006, with responsibilities including currency and interest rate strategy; coordinating the team’s inflation, growth and financial market forecasts; and conducting research in areas such as the labour market, house prices and macroprudential policy. Previously, Michael worked at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as a senior analyst in the Financial Stability department.
Carly Shorter
Founder, Communicate Powerfully
Connect. Communicate. Lead.
Carly Shorter is a dynamic speaker, facilitator, and the founder of Communicate Powerfully, a training and development company that specialises in helping leaders and learners show up with clarity, courage, and connection. With a background in radio broadcasting across New Zealand and Australia, Carly brings over two decades of experience in audience engagement, leadership, and communication strategy.
Now based in Tauranga – Carly has spent the last 12 years traveling the country and Asia Pacific transforming how individuals and organisations connect through conversation – from boardrooms and membership events to grassroots community engagement. Her practical, down-to-earth approach is grounded in the belief that authentic communication is what drives real impact – in relationships, in business, and in leadership.
Carly leads the Communicate Powerfully Licensed Trainers programme and is the creator of the Below the Surface card deck – a conversation tool that helps people get out of autopilot and into real, human connection. Her sessions are energising, empowering, and packed with tools you can use immediately.
Logan Wedgwood
Managing Director, Advisory.Works
The Simplest Sales Process in the World.
Logan Wedgwood isn’t just a business strategist; he’s a force of nature. As Managing Director of AdvisoryWorks, he ignites growth in businesses with a unique blend of strategic acumen and genuine human connection.
His sharp mind, evidenced by an MBA with Distinction and a Top Scholar award, allows him to dissect complex business challenges and forge actionable wins.
Author of the sales-boosting “Grow 3x,” Logan simplifies complex business challenges into actionable wins. But his drive doesn’t stop in the boardroom. He’s a passionate musician, a dedicated athlete, and above all, a devoted father. This diverse experience fuels his dynamic approach to life and business, making him a compelling speaker who inspires audiences to pursue excellence in every arena.
Rich Poole
Generations
Exit-ready is just good business – even if you’re not planning to sell.
Rich Poole is a strategic advisor who works with business owners to build stronger, more valuable and more resilient businesses.
He specialises in exit-readiness – not just selling – helping owners reduce risk, improve performance and create genuine options for the future.
As a fourth-generation family business member who has built and sold his own companies, including a successful exit to a Fortune 500 company, Rich brings the perspective of someone who has sat on both sides of the table.
He now advises owners through his Generations practice, with a practical, no-nonsense focus on making businesses work without being overly dependent on the owner.
Tess von Dadelszen
Partner, JB Morrison Lawyers
Employment law is facing significant changes in 2026 – get in the know now!
Tess is an employment law specialist with extensive experience across all areas of workplace relations. She advises on disciplinary and performance processes, restructures and redundancies, parental leave, personal grievances, health and safety, remuneration, employment agreements and restraints of trade.
Known for her pragmatic, plain-English approach, Tess focuses on practical solutions that balance legal risk with commercial realities, helping organisations navigate complex and sensitive people matters with confidence. She has represented clients in mediation, the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court, bringing valuable real-world insight to every situation.
A regular seminar presenter, Tess is passionate about upskilling leaders and managers in employment relations, equipping them with the tools to understand and manage challenges effectively and to achieve fair, sustainable outcomes.
Hire Excellence Awards MC - Tony Lyall
witty, energetic crowd-favourite
Tony Lyall is one of New Zealand’s most in-demand comedians, known for his high-energy storytelling, sharp wit, and effortless crowd connection.
You’ll have seen him on 7 Days, The Project, the NZ Comedy Gala, and heard him on Radio Hauraki or with the Alternative Commentary Collective. He’s also the match-day MC for the Black Caps.
Based in West Auckland, Tony somehow juggles a busy comedy career with life as a dad of three – and even remembers to put the bins out most weeks. We’re thrilled to have him as MC for this year’s awards ceremony.
William Pike - Adventurer, innovator
closing keynote: Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone
A powerful true story of survival, resilience, business, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can unlock the extraordinary.
William Pike is a New Zealand adventurer, innovator, and relentless optimist who has turned life’s toughest challenges into platforms for impact.
From surviving a volcanic eruption that nearly cost him his life to pioneering a nationwide youth development programme, his story is equal parts gripping, hilarious, and inspiring.
He is the driving force behind the William Pike Challenge, a school programme that has empowered nearly 40,000 young New Zealanders to step outside their comfort zones and unlock their confidence for life. Beyond youth development, William leads PRO ARMOUR®, a prosthetic limb protection device giving amputees greater freedom and confidence across the globe.
William doesn’t just tell stories, he relives them, inviting audiences to experience life on the edge, rethink what’s possible, and leave inspired to step outside their comfort zones, embrace change, and rise as leaders in their own world.
Nigel Swavley – Rouse /SmartEquip
Equipment Lifecycle Management in the APAC Region
Nigel Swavley is the Director APAC for Rouse Services /SmartEquip at RB Global, with over 20 years of experience in the rental industry and market intelligence. A specialist in rental rate and utilisation benchmarking, maintenance and asset management, and business transformation, Nigel has successfully implemented multimillion-dollar digital equipment management solutions and market expansions across the APAC region. His expertise in strategic planning and technology integration makes him a sought-after voice in the rental industry. Beyond his professional career, Nigel is currently undertaking his MBA at the University of Western Australia, further strengthening his leadership and business acumen. He is also an avid mountain biker and global traveller.