They Say I Dream Too Big. I Say They Think Too Small!
From the day Annah Stretton broke away from paid employment and started her own clothing business, an entrepreneurial hunger was ignited within her that remains Olympic-sized to this very day.
Current work
It's no wonder then that Annah Stretton is one of the very few New Zealand fashion designers, manufacturers and retailers still around and still evolving her business 27 years down the track. However, CEO of a fashion group was never going to be the only string to Annah's bow, and back in 2013, her career took a seismic shift when a chance encounter with the Waikato Women’s Refuge CEO took her from bystander to change champion for a vulnerable community of women.
Today Annah’s feats as a Social Entrepreneur and Advocate for the inclusion and advancement of offending women have earned her, and her charity RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) a semi-finalist slot for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year two year’s running!
Speaking
Discover how Annah has taken her entrepreneurial toolkit into the prison system and defied all the odds with her near 100% success rate at transforming a life a crime into a life of promise.
“The thing I'm most proud to is who I’ve become. The ‘leader’ that looks back at me in the mirror these days would not have existed without the triumphs and the tragedies that have accompanied my journey with RAW.”
Talking Points
Hot Topics
• Resilience & Reinvention - Overcoming hardships and challenges Hot Topics
• Entrepreneurism and Business Growth - Thriving in Turbulent Times
A master of reinvention, Annah uses her own journey as a CEO, Entrepreneur and Social Impact Innovator to help today’s leaders to thrive in a world of increasing disruption. Book Annah and hear her tips on adaptive leadership, creative collaboration strategies and bringing an entrepreneur’s toolkit to problem-solving!
Annah is happy to tailor her presentations to suit the theme of your conference and/or event. Please contact us to find out the other areas Annah could cover at your event.
We had the absolute pleasure of Annah Stretton addressing the Newmarket Rotary Club earlier this year to educate our members about the RAW programme. She a confident and passionate speaker a ... keep reading Newmarket Rotary
Interest generated about RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) at the presentation given by Annah Stretton to Women on Boards New Zealand Waikato last night was overwhelming.
We were very impressed with Annah Stretton’s enthusiasm, communication skills and presentation skills when she recently talked to students enrolled in Applied Fashion Design and Technology at the Fashion Industry training services department of TAFE in South Australia. During the presentation, Annah consistently demonstrated a thorough knowledge of fashion retail, fashion production and how to run a successful business. ANNAH’S DEDICATION TO HER CRAFT AND TO MENTORING OTHERS WAS INSPIRATIONAL TO BOTH LECTURERS AND STUDENTS. We look forward to a continued association with Annah and are sure that both students and staff will benefit from the relationship.
Every so often you will find that ‘someone’ who - when asked to fulfil a showcase speaker opening slot, or an outstanding grand finale to your event - not only rises to the occasion, but oozes inspiration and purpose from every pore; draining every last second of their day until their pool of contribution is overflowing: Annah Stretton is this person.
Annah provided us with an outstanding key note address for our conference. Her sharp mind and her business acumen was strongly evident and very inspirational for our audience. It is not an exaggeration to say that everyone was hanging off her every word for the whole of her presentation. After she left, many people commented to me that they wanted more time to ask questions, further proving the extent to which she engaged the audience. Annah also did a fantastic job at crafting her presentation so that it paired perfectly with the topics we had asked her to talk to and which were relevant for our audience. Annah’s story is fascinating and her presentation for us was top knotch.
Over my past ten years in New Zealand I have had the pleasure of working alongside some brilliant entrepreneurial minds, however, never I have met with someone who takes such a refreshing and untapped approach as Annah does. Her extraordinary zest and dedication are quite profound and infectious; once you’ve heard her speak, your mind will be on overload - your energy invigorated.
The best speakers are the ones who not only inspire but who empower us through their words - leading us with passion from whatever position we may currently hold in life. We all know that a charismatic speaker leaves an impression on the audience, large or small, that makes them want to come back for more: Giving nothing other than the 150% (as she does in all of her life and business endeavours), Annah does this by the bucket load!
