Annabelle O'Donnell

For the past decade, I have worked with organisations including KPMG High Growth Ventures, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Creative HQ, the United Nations, World Economic Forum Global Shapers, Asia New Zealand Foundation, and Melbourne Fashion Week, as a strategic advisor, coach, facilitator, and leadership development specialist. My experience spans senior roles across government, tech, and innovation. At NZTE, I spearheaded a global transformation initiative that was adopted in 50+ markets and led the Women in Export programme in London. I also guest lecture in 'leadership mindset for international expansion' at the University of Auckland Business School. I work most often across tech, education, government, fashion, sustainability, and social impact, bringing a leadership approach that blends empathy, strategic clarity, and commercial insight.

Whether around a board table, in a 1:1 coaching engagement, facilitating a workshop with global teams, or hosting my supper club, Annabelle’s Table, what brings me the most joy is curating environments where authentic, values-driven leadership is at the centre. My strengths lie in strategic and systems thinking, building connections and trust, as well as taking an empathetic and human-centred approach with clients. As a Dyslexic thinker, I am also able to see patterns and make sense of complexity, creating innovative approaches to solve problems.

My approach is informed by human-centered design, behavioural science, and organisational psychology. I draw from frameworks like design thinking, systems thinking, and jobs-to-be-done, but always tailor my work to the people and context in front of me. I believe leadership is grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and empathy.

I choose to work with LIW because of their human-centred and strategic approach to leadership, as well as their strong values, commitment to excellence, and focus on not only creating impact for their clients but also internally. The culture of integrity, care, and collaboration enables me to do my best work and support clients in doing theirs.

Participants often describe me as warm, engaging, and emotionally intelligent - someone who brings strategic clarity while creating a space where people feel safe to share, reflect, and grow. I am known for making complex topics relatable, facilitating meaningful conversations, and empowering individuals and teams to navigate challenges with confidence and purpose.

Recent testimonials highlight:

"She has a unique ability to connect with students, making complex concepts relatable and inspiring them to think globally. I love her approachable and friendly nature, and her enthusiasm to work on impactful projects that make the world a better place for today and for future generations." (University of Auckland Business School)

"Annabelle brings a rare blend of strategic clarity, emotional intelligence, and a human-centered approach to everything she does. Her ability to connect with her clients and colleagues alike, as well as get to the heart of business challenges, made her an invaluable part of our team. Annabelle's exceptional coaching skills have empowered founders of high-growth tech companies to navigate their unique challenges and achieve remarkable success" (KPMG, High Growth Ventures)

"Annabelle took the time to understand our objectives and crafted a session that was highly relevant to both our audience and the broader needs of the industry. She led a dynamic discussion on international business opportunities in the Australian fashion sector to a diverse group of 30 participants, predominantly from marketing and tech sectors.  Annabelle’s facilitation skills ensured an engaging and insightful conversation, and she delivered a comprehensive white paper summarising key insights on time, providing valuable takeaways for participants and industry leaders alike. I would highly recommend her for future industry engagements." (Events Director, Melbourne Fashion Week)

"Annabelle cultivated a culture of open dialogue and psychological safety across a diverse network of hub leaders, enabling all voices to be heard. Through her strengths-based leadership, she navigated complex discussions with empathy, empowered hub leaders to thrive, and consistently championed the well-being of the community. Her leadership set a gold standard for inclusive and impactful community engagement. " (World Economic Forum Global Shapers)