Catalyst are strong supporters of diversity in the IT sector. So, to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024, we are sharing insights into some of the amazing women who work at Catalyst and learning what IWD means to them.
Meet Christine Loughnan, General Counsel
Tell us about your career journey:
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was eight years old. We didn't have any lawyers in my family - my sisters and I were the first generation to get university degrees. During the uni summer break, I volunteered my services to the parents of some law school friends. This opportunity evolved into two part-time, paid positions at practices specialising in criminal and family law, while I pursued my studies. It gave me a fascinating insight, for which I am eternally grateful. But, I also realised I was more interested (and better suited) to the business aspects of lawyering. That led me to apply for commercial roles in companies.
I started working for Telecom in 2004, supporting the roll-out of 3G network across New Zealand. From there, I went to London and worked for eight years as an in-house lawyer in the construction and IT/Telco industries. It was a magical time in my life, one highlight being working on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Returning to New Zealand in 2013, I knew I wanted to stay in the tech industry. I was lucky enough to work with some inspiring lawyers at Spark. Exciting opportunities, like setting up Lightbox (now Neon), Qrious data analytics deals, and Government ICT transformations, kept me there.
After a stint at fintech FNZ supporting Hatch, whose mission to empower more women to invest inspired me, I stepped up to the General Counsel role at Catalyst in 2022.
What does International Women's Day mean to you?
It's a chance to reflect on progress and consider what I can do to support other women at Catalyst and in the wider industry.
Some people have asked if we celebrate a day for women, will we celebrate a day for men? I think we should - when closer to achieving gender equity goals. IWD is focused on bringing attention to those inequities that still exist despite great progress.
The International Women's Day theme in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. What do you do personally, or what do you think businesses can do to create a better culture reflecting this?
Catalyst is a frontrunner in terms of inclusion and flexibility. But there isn't one size fits all for these things; we need to look after the people who work for us as individuals. For my team and me, that means offering flexible working arrangements, be it reduced hours, remote working, or flexi-time to accommodate life and responsibilities outside work. Also, in line with Catalyst’s journey to embed more Te Reo and Tikanga across our business, my team is exploring new approaches to recruitment to encourage more people who whakapapa Māori to apply for roles. At a personal level, I’m also focused on increasing my understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace. Autism and ADHD are often overlooked in women. This is particularly true for “high-functioning” women, who are diagnosed far less often than men. If we’re not inclusive and adaptable for all types of people, we’re missing out on talent.
What is the biggest change you have seen in your career supporting inclusion?
After almost twenty years in business, I'm glad to say women working at all levels of an organisation has become more normalised now. At Catalyst, for example, we have a gender-balanced SLT, with women holding key COO and CFO roles. Additionally, there's greater emphasis across the industry on workplace culture and other issues in the workplace disproportionally affecting women, such as the gender pay gap. The younger generation entering the workforce is also helping to challenge old stereotypes about what makes a great leader. I’m in awe of the young women who initiated the "me-too" movement in this country and the important change that is unfolding.
What's one thing you hope to see change in the future to help empower more women in the workforce?
We have great flexibility at Catalyst. This enables me to make choices; I have the full support of our Board and SLT to perform a C-suite role and collect my kids from kindy. But that is still far from the norm in many New Zealand companies. I'd like to see more companies adopt progressive views on leadership and work/life balance.
What one thing are you most proud of in your life?
I'm proud of every time I’ve been brave in my career and taken a risk to go for it. That includes applying for my current General Counsel role and asking what I need regarding flexibility to thrive.
What's one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
For IWD, I would borrow from the late, great (notorious) US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."