Barbara Kendall achieved international recognition by winning New Zealand's only gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. She was the first Kiwi woman to do so for 40 years. She has had an amazing sporting career spanning nearly 25 years. Having two young children didn't stop her achieving international success.
Current work
She is now, five Olympics later, an Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist. She now manages the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Career Program in Oceania, which educates athletes and their entourage on transferable competencies for career and leadership.
Barbara has extended this program with her vast knowledge. She addresses different corporate clients in New Zealand to deliver leadership training - including culture, confidence, sustained performance and self-intelligence.
Barbara’s natural warmth, vitality and enthusiasm have won the hearts of so many New Zealanders - she has instant audience appeal, whether she is sharing Olympic anecdotes or the secrets to her success.
Awards
She was New Zealand sports woman of the year in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2002, and has been inducted into International Sailing's Hall of Fame. She has been awarded an MBE for services to windsurfing and was most recently awarded the Sport NZ Leadership Award.
Volunteer
She volunteers her time on 12 different sporting executive boards, commissions and working groups representing New Zealand, Oceania, Woman and Athletes at the highest level of sports administration.
She is an ambassador for Health 2000, the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Project Litefoot. She is a Patron of the Upside downs Education Trust, Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp, and Gulf Harbor Yacht Club.
Education
In 2013 Barbara completed a double degree in Social Services and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Management.
Her story is one of hard work, goal setting, discipline, motivation, determination and passion. Barbara is a tremendous role model for young and old alike.
Barbara's presentation was great. They loved it and she made them smile. After a whole day of technical presentations it was great to have a positive message delivered by an engaging and fun ... keep reading Conferenz
Barbara is a relaxed humorous speaker who naturally captured the audience.
Barbara fitted into our function just perfectly. The feedback we have received has been superb. Barbara was a thrill to work with. The audience loved her and really responded to her.
Everything went fantastic!!! Barbara was absolutely amazing! Residents loved her, and I keep receiving a positive feedback from them! Thank you for introducing Barbara to our Village! Really appreciate that!
