Minnie Baragwanath
Some things I value deeply and hold dear as Minnie B.
I value the qualities of honesty and bravery. I try to live by the principle of ‘with’ and employ the ‘Possibility’ mindset in all I think and do.
Some things I have experienced and can contribute as Minnie B.
As a blind woman social entrepreneur, writer and thinker I have:
• 25 years’ experience of working in innovative social change across various sectors as well as locally and internationally.
• Founded multiple organisations and initiatives.
• Played a number of key leadership and governance roles.
• Actively continued to learn, question and grow.
• Contributed fresh perspectives to old conversations.
• Know first-hand the often complex and challenging realities many people face in our world today, simply trying to live.
Some lovely recognition for my work in social change (blush!)
• Queen’s Honour
• Sir Peter Blake Leadership
• Westpac Women of Influence
• Zonta women’s award
• New Zealander of the year top 10 finalist
Some work things I love to do!
2022
International consultant and coach (Accessibility and Social change)
Minnie B Consulting www.minnieb.co.nz
I provide a wide range of services globally through my independent consultancy that includes but is not limited to:
• Consulting
• Governance
• Strategy
• Coaching
• Mentoring
• Public Speaking
• Creative (Design and writing - 2022 wrote my first book on access entrepreneurship and social change in Aotearoa).
2020 - 2022
Founder and Chief Possibility Officer
Global Centre of Possibility @ AUT www.gcop.co.nz
I established the GCOP @ AUT in 2020. It is an innovative social change organisation focused on advancing an accessible future for access citizens (disabled people) through Possibility leadership, design and innovation.
• The GCOP’s flagship program is the Possibility Leadership program, an incubator and accelerator to support the development of access entrepreneurs and their transformative ideas.
2021
Founding partner
Inclusive Innovation Network (+N) www.inclusiveinnovationnetwork.org
We were one of several partners to establish the +N global network of accessibility accelerators.
2011 – 2019
Founder and CEO
Be. Accessible (Be. Lab) www.belab.co.nz
I am the founder and CEO of Be. Accessible (Be. Lab), a very progressive accessibility social change organisation with the vision of creating a fully accessible Aotearoa for the 1 in 4 New Zealanders living with an access need. Our core nationwide programs were:
• Be. Welcome – program enabling all organisations to become accessible
• Be. Leadership – accessibility leadership development program
• Be. Employed – accessibility employment program
• Be. Accessible - accessibility social change campaign
• Fab 50 – network of highly influential cross sector access champions
Some boards and networks
1990 - 2010
• Be. Institute Charitable Trust
• Plus N – Global Accessible Technology network
• Lui Ola – Pacific Disability Network
• DPA – National Executive Committee Disabled Persons Assembly
• Spark Creative Studios – Community Arts Studio
Current
• Appointed to Oxfam Aotearoa as a Board member
• Appointed by Minister Tinetti to NACEW (National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Women) member
Some other bits and bobs
1990 - 2010
• 10 years in Community Development
• 10 years in various parts of Media (mostly film and television).
Some study and learning
• Warriors for the Human Spirit – International Leadership program with Meg Wheatley 2017 to 2022
• Graduate Dip Economic Development 2008/09
• Leadership New Zealand 2007
• Bachelor of Communication Studies 1995/97
• Bachelor of Arts – English Literature 1986/89
Some global projects
Global disability innovation initiative in partnership with:
• UNFPA
• GDI
“The possibility conversation frees people to innovate, challenge the status quo, and create new futures that make a difference.”
– Peter Block