Leadership Network member bridging corporate, community and culture

Leilani: "Being village made and raised means that I stand on the shoulders of my giants and carry my village with me into every space I go."

“Being village made and raised means that I stand on the shoulders of my giants and carry my village with me into every space I go,” Leilani says.

As a third-generation New Zealand-born Samoan Chinese, Leilani recognises the privileges and opportunities that she is benefits from “in living the answered dreams and prayers” of her family.

Growing up, Leilani observed her grandparents’ and parents’ leadership through tautua (service) and alofa (love) to their communities.

Their example instilled in her a deep passion: advocating for youth, Pacific peoples, and equitable representation.

Leilani graduated in May as a Massey Scholar with a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Arts

Encouraged to ask questions and seek help, Leilani’s natural curiosity became the foundation for her journey.

She has since served in governance, education, corporate, and charity spaces, always eager to stretch her horizons.

Now, Leilani is an analyst for Deloitte New Zealand, working in technology and transformation within the Operations, Industry and Domain Solutions team and a part of the Community of Health Practice and Pas Peau (Pacific) teams.

While she recognises the privilege of working in corporate, she also acknowledges the opportunities to represent and give back to her communities.

With the rapid development of AI and the advancement of technology, Leilani sees enormous potential to deliver at pace and enabling clients to provide value for the communities they serve.

“It’s exciting, but it requires people who understand the intersections of technology, culture, corporate structures and community engagement to ground our solutions in meaningful ways of working that see equitable outcomes for all,” she says.

Leilani speaking at a recent panel about Pasifika Leadership on Boards sharing her experience as a Youth and Pacific advocate

At the same time, Leilani has taken concrete steps to deepen her connection to her cultures.

She has been actively learning more about her Samoan culture through her aiga (family), completing language courses and getting more involved in community groups and events.

Leilani believes grounding in culture is essential - “both for understanding where one comes from and for being able to represent your communities well”.

This sentiment was reflected in her recent TEDX talk on ‘Overcoming Cultural Imposter Sydrome’, where Leilani emphasised the importance of creating space for “ourselves and each other to learn about our cultures”.

Her recent induction into the Leadership Network has provided her with the opportunity to embrace her Chinese heritage and learn more about the Asia region.

Having attended the Leadership Hui and Arts Hui this year, Leilani is eager to make the most of every opportunity to learn more about Asia and bring the knowledge and insights into her work and leadership journey.

Leilani performing a Siva Samoa at the Asia Europe Foundation Young Leaders Summit Capacity Building 2024 in Budapest, Hungary

In everything Leilani does, she remains grounded in her roots and village and embodies the concept of being an active villager.

Alongside the Leadership Network she is also an Ambassador of the Rangatahi Leadership Opportunities Database, a member of the Multiethnic Young Leaders Network and a komiti (committee) member for Pasifika Fusion.

“It’s important to me to be the first, but not the last - to create spaces and opportunities for others to also see themselves in different spaces,” she says, knowing that her journey is part of a greater legacy.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to thrive in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.