Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
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Serena Fiso

Serena Fiso

Porirua,New Zealand

Summary

Ngāa Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Hineuru. Driven by a lifelong passion for empowering our people and fostering personal development. A strong catalyst for Change & Transformation within the business landscape to bring about better outcomes for people, more specifically Maori and Pacific People communities. My mission is to create meaningful value that truly makes a difference in the lives of our people in the communities in which they live. With extensive experience working at a senior executive level, I have honed my ability to navigate and engage with diverse networks across various industries. My focus is on leveraging these connections to achieve strategic goals and drive progress for our people. Proudly selected as a finalist for prestigious Next Woman of the Year, Westpac Women of Influence and Wellingtonian of the Year awards for my work in Business.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Wai-o-Turi Māori Reserve
Taranaki
08.2022 - Current
  • Leveraging governance expertise to drive strategic planning and enhance operational management for the Pā.
  • Actively engaged as an elected Trustee, ensuring alignment with beneficiary needs and marae evolution.
  • Diligently ensured compliance with legislative requirements, safeguarding the interests of the Pā.
  • Committed to the protection and development of the Pā and whenua, nurturing a resilient and empowered whānau future.

CEO - CO-FOUNDER

Connect Global Limited
Porirua
01.2003 - 01.2025
  • Visionary Founder and CEO of Connect Global Limited, a distinguished leading outsourcing firm with 22 years of industry leadership and a track record of securing enduring contracts with top-tier corporate and government clients.
  • Being Maori and my husband Samoan we built our business with a deliberate focus on creating change and transformation in the communities our people live.
  • Head office based in Porirua and then expanded community engagement with operational offices in Ruatoria, Waverley, and Samoa, fulfilling a mission to uplift local economies and empowering our people for a better way of life.
  • Led the business from nothing to an industry leader and multi-award-winning enterprise renowned for its expertise in inbound customer service, helpdesk support, and dynamic outbound sales and marketing strategies.
  • Fostered robust relationships with notable clients including VTNZ, Housing NZ, Orcon, NZ Herald, Genesis Energy, NZ Red Cross, MSD, and MOJ, becoming an integral part of their operational success.
  • Demonstrated crisis leadership by swiftly establishing the Red Cross Helpline during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, providing essential support amidst adversity.
  • Strategically developed partnerships to act as a seamless extension of client businesses, optimizing their operations and reducing costs.
  • Champion of Change & Transformation, dedicated to Creating Value and positively impacting community livelihoods through skill-enhancing employment opportunities.
  • Engaged with New Zealand and Samoan government leaders to drive employment initiatives and skill development, aligning with a shared vision of community betterment.
  • Leading the organisation to a number of prestigious accolades, including the Westpac Porirua Business Awards for Innovation, Medium Business, Professional Services, Young Employee, and the Supreme Award, as well as the Wellington Gold Awards - Supporting Gold and National Pacific Business Trust Awards for Pacific Business Enterprise and Supreme Award.

BOARD MEMBER

Parininihi Ki Waitotara Incorporation
Taranaki
11.2023 - 11.2024
  • One year term as a Board Member for Parininihi ki Waitotara is a successful intergenerational Māori business with interests in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. The foundations of operations is some of the most productive land in the world including agri-business, pine forest, commercial property, crayfish export, horticulture and Māori co-investment fund.
  • As a Committee of management board member my role was to provide governance expertise and strategic guidance to the CEO and his Executive Team for the operational management and development of business investments across the portfolio for businesses.

BOARD MEMBER

Porirua Chamber of Commerce
Porirua
11.2015 - 08.2018
  • Providing governance and support for the CEO of Porirua Chamber of Commerce. To build business networking and support to help grow capability for our city of Porirua. Working alongside Porirua City Council to help support existing and attract new business to Porirua.

DIRECTOR / CO FOUNDER

Diligence Limited
Porirua
01.2011 - 01.2016
  • Led our team to deliver a suite of empowerment programs at Diligence, aimed at enhancing personal and professional success for individuals.
  • Specialized in crafting work-ready initiatives, equipping the unemployed with vital skills and experience for Contact Centre roles.
  • Pioneered comprehensive training modules, from mindset motivation to practical skills development.
  • Provided intensive coaching in job-seeking strategies, including CV crafting and interview techniques, culminating in successful employment placements.
  • Adopted a personalized approach, focusing on individual motivation, overcoming barriers, and goal attainment strategies.
  • Developed tailored programs for organizations of all sizes, with a focus on optimizing Contact Centre operations, team dynamics, managerial effectiveness, and customer service/sales proficiency.

BRANCH MANAGER

Drake International
Palmerston North
01.2001 - 12.2004
  • Responsible for the establishment and operational management of a new branch for Drake International, a well known international recruitment firm.
  • Fostered and expanded client relationships across diverse sectors, from corporate to industrial, ensuring successful temporary and permanent staffing solutions for our growing client base.
  • Led a dynamic team of skilled recruitment consultants, driving rapid growth and performance excellence.
  • Led our team to achieve the prestigious No. 1 Club Award for top performing branches worldwide. One of only 3 branches in New Zealand to achieve this accolade. To meet with the founder of Drake with all other top performing branches in Las Vegas to network and learn from each other.

NATIONAL CONTACT CENTRE MANAGER

Access Technology
Wellington City
01.1999 - 01.2001
  • Head of operations for a 100-seat contact centre targeting the Japanese market for IT specialist recruitment and headhunting.
  • Successfully secured a number of large contracts in New Zealand, including Apple NZ and NZ Payroll. As part our strategy to diversify the client base across various industries to spread our risk.
  • Set up and established new revenue channels by designing, set up and successfully running Contact Centre Training programs for individuals and corporate training.
  • Set up, established and managed another new revenue stream being a specialized Contact Centre Recruitment division.
  • Led and mentored a robust team of 10 managers, enhancing business leadership and operational efficiency.

Skills

  • Senior Leadership
  • People Management
  • Operational Management
  • Financial Management
  • Business Development
  • Relationship Management to Executive level
  • Governance Expertise
  • Commercial and contractual procurement and legislative acumen
  • Ability to work in high pressure environment
  • Worked with Governments in NZ and Samoa at a Prime Minister and Cabinet Level

Timeline

BOARD MEMBER

Parininihi Ki Waitotara Incorporation
11.2023 - 11.2024

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Wai-o-Turi Māori Reserve
08.2022 - Current

BOARD MEMBER

Porirua Chamber of Commerce
11.2015 - 08.2018

DIRECTOR / CO FOUNDER

Diligence Limited
01.2011 - 01.2016

CEO - CO-FOUNDER

Connect Global Limited
01.2003 - 01.2025

BRANCH MANAGER

Drake International
01.2001 - 12.2004

NATIONAL CONTACT CENTRE MANAGER

Access Technology
01.1999 - 01.2001

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Serena Fiso