Samantha Ford
Chief People Officer
Awanui Group
Samantha Ford is Chief People Officer at Awanui Group, one of New Zealand’s largest pathology providers. She leads People & Capability across a national healthcare workforce of around 2,000 people and more than 200 sites. Samantha’s work spans workforce strategy, leadership, engagement and culture, with a particular interest in how AI can reduce complexity, improve consistency and create capacity in healthcare workplaces while keeping people, judgement and care at the centre.
SESSIONS
10.00
Chief People Leaders’ Panel: Redefining the Future of Work in Aotearoa
Charting the roadmap of what HR leaders are looking for when it comes to resourcing for the organisation – balancing the tech and human resources
Diving into how skills and capabilities are what are driving recruitment strategies – moving away from traditional roles and job descriptions to modern requirements
Rethinking recruitment in the age of AI – unpacking what talent acquisition looks like when intelligent tools reshape sourcing, screening, and decision-making
Addressing the elephant in the room – how can AI assist with Aotearoa’s skills shortage
Embedding Te Ao Māori principles when it comes to AI adoption and the workforce and its capabilities
Moderator: Jo Fair, Chief of People & Culture, Southern Cross Healthcare
Panellists:
Charlotte Ward, Chief People Officer, Kiwibank
Samantha Ford, Chief People Officer, Awanui Group