Glenda Hughes
An amazing woman who has had several diverse changes in career and succeeded in them all.
Commonwealth Games shot put champion, policewoman, media consultant, investigative journalist, TV frontperson and producer, talkback host and board member.
Few people can match the multi-talented Glenda Hughes when it comes to personal drive and outstanding achievements. Wherever she directs her energies, Glenda excels.
Glenda's athletic ability and interest led her to become National Shot Put Champion (and held the NZ Championship record) and in 1982 she represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games. This success brought continued media and public coverage facilitating Glenda to use her public relations skills as a radio-talk back host and television producer.
Her experience with the New Zealand Police Department included investigation homicide, rape, robbery and fraud cases; personally escorting royalty; serving as a front-riot squad member and maintaining and analysing the file on the Rainbow Warrior affair. On leaving the police force, Glenda took up freelance writing and documentary production. She has a BA with a double major in Sociology and Criminology, supported by communication papers from Victoria and Massey Universities. She has assisted many of New Zealand’s top sportspeople with public speaking and dealing with the media. She used lessons learned in the sporting corporate and criminal world as models for how we function and what motivates people to perform.
Glenda has been a Producer/Director of Women Sports Series for TV3. As well as writing a weekly column for the Sunday Star, she went on to work for TV3's Mobil Sport program and was responsible for producing segments of TV3's Current Affairs Show.
As a media and public relations consultant Glenda is co-author of the Hillary Commission Media Training Manual and trains NZ elite athletes in presentation skills, media communications and a winning attitude.
She has been involved in marketing, media and P.R facilitation in promotions and launches; a member of the New Zealand Parole Board, Chairperson of the NZ Racing Board and Acting Chief of Staff for the Hon Bill English. She has been a visiting lecturer on the topics of leadership, marketing, media, communication, managing change and PR at Victoria, Massey and Lincoln Universities. She has worked on the Development of National Social Change Campaigns and was a Developer of the National Netball Franchise Competition.
In August 2016 Glenda became a finalist (Board & Management category) in the prestigious New Zealand Women of Influence programme which aims to identify, recognise and celebrate influential women shaping New Zealand.
Glenda relates to people at all levels with intelligence and humour and regularly consults with NZ business leaders. She is an excellent debater and MC as well as an entertaining, motivating and amusing speaker.
Presentations:
- Managing Change
- Managing Personalities
- How to get the Best from Your Staff
- Conflict Negotiation
- Dealing with the Media
- How to Deliver Your Message
- Successful Communication
Testimonials:
‘Glenda was outstanding – everyone at the conference was captivated’ Harcourts Group
‘In a short time Glenda covered a lot of ground in a succinct and entertaining manner’ Mainland Products
‘She's funny, bright and interesting and delighted us all’ Anchor Milk Limited
‘Glenda did a superb job. I would strongly recommend her as an After Dinner or Motivational Speaker’ Plastics Institute of New Zealand
‘Glenda tailored her talk very appropriately to the audience and provided very interesting, useful motivational tips and amusing personal stories from her own life’ E.S.I.T.O.