2009/2010 HRINZ HR Generalist of the Year Distinction Awards

Jane Leahy

Business Experience

Jane’s international, professional experience spans work within the food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and agribusiness organisations.  She has spent the last 15 years in human resources and has been a member of the senior management team for two multi billion dollar organisations.

She started within operations where she worked in operations management and quality assurance, thus developing skills in leadership, lean manufacturing, project management, and compliance improvements through cultural change.

Jane has a track record of successfully driving organisational and cultural change through aligning with business outcomes and then engaging employees.  It is her genuine style and belief in productivity through engagement that enables her to work effectively with people at all levels in organisations. 

Jane’s most recent experience was as the General Manager Human Resources for Silver Fern Farms where she was brought in as part of the senior management team to help transform the business.  She was integral in commencing the shift from the established autocratic, command and control culture to one where individuals were skilled and empowered to be accountable.

She is the chairperson for a school Board of Trustees, has been a Director on an Industry Training Organisation board, and has facilitated the Ronald MacDonald House board in strategy development.

Education and Training

Jane has a Bachelor of Science from Otago University, a Graduate Diploma (part) in Total Quality Management from the University of Wollongong, and is part way through a Bachelor of Communications.

Jane is a committee member of the  HRINZ Wild South branch, and a past member of the IABC (International Association of Business Communication) and the AIQM (Australian Institute of Quality Management).