PhD leadership researcher, NZ Army veteran and author who helped evacuate 563 people from Afghanistan
Dr Ellen Joan Ford holds an MBA, a PhD and post-doctoral research focused on leadership — and she has spent decades practising what she studies. After a decade as an Engineer officer in the NZ Army, leading soldiers in Antarctica, Afghanistan, the UK and across the Pacific, she built a parallel career as a researcher, consultant and facilitator working with organisations including KPMG, EY, Metcash, the NZ Defence Force and Craigmore Farming. She co-authored a nationwide primary industries leadership project for New Zealand's largest export sector, and spent 18 months in an advisory role to the Chief of the NZ Army. A decade after leaving military service, she was at the heart of a volunteer team that supported the evacuation of 563 people from Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul — work recognised nationally when she received the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award and the Person of the Year award from the Manawatu Standard.
Her leadership model — Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose — emerged from her PhD research and underpins her book #WorkSchoolHours: A revolution for parents, workplaces and the world, which has been endorsed by CEOs of KiwiBank, FMG and other major organisations, and described as 'a must-read for any leader building a modern workplace.' She received the prestigious Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award for her success in driving workplace change, and has been described by New Zealand media as an 'extraordinary leader' and a 'change-the-freaking-world person.'
Ellen works across professional services, construction, defence, engineering, health, education, tourism and primary industries, and is particularly effective at leadership conferences, diversity and inclusion forums, and senior executive workshops. She brings lived experience, rigorous research and a frank, engaging delivery style — combining her military background, academic credentials and personal story in a way that is highly practical and genuinely moving.
Ellen Joan Ford is a keynote speaker based in New Zealand who speaks on change management, diversity & inclusion and leadership. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
Ellen's authentic ability to tell a story that combines her research, expertise and lived experience in leadership was extremely engaging and challenged all of us to think differently about how we lead our teams.BCITO TE PŪKENGA
Ellen's inspiring story and engaging delivery had our team in awe. She encouraged everyone to contribute to the workshop and the productive change has been evident with our Farm and Business Leaders.Farmright
Ellen speaks from the heart; she is genuine and authentic; she also draws on relevant and truly credible experience to back up what she is saying. Our exec team all gained a lot from our session with Ellen.Royal New Zealand Air Force
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