What separates truly high-performing organisations from everyone else?

In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Estelle Curd, Chief People Officer at Kami, to explore leadership, organisational culture, startup growth, and the role people leaders play in building exceptional workplaces.

Drawing on experience across Rocket Lab, Armstrong's and Kami, Estelle shares practical lessons from founder-led organisations where belief, purpose and high standards drive extraordinary outcomes.

From middle leadership and organisational culture to Women in STEM, flexible work, employee experience, and authentic leadership, this conversation explores what it really takes to build workplaces where people perform at their best while staying connected to meaningful work.

What You'll Learn

• Why founder-led organisations often create exceptional cultures

• The critical role middle managers play in organisational performance

• Why leaders should seek respect before popularity

• How purpose and a clear "why" drive engagement and performance

• The importance of clarity, transparency and difficult conversations

• How HR can create meaningful employee experiences instead of simply managing compliance

• Why flexibility still requires clear expectations and accountability

• Practical ways organisations can attract more women into STEM careers

• How authentic leadership builds trust during uncertainty

• Why New Zealand produces world-class talent and how organisations can help it thrive

Key Takeaways

• High-performing cultures begin with leaders who model high standards

• Respect creates accountability more effectively than authority alone

• Great HR is visible, people-focused and deeply connected to the business

• Difficult conversations become easier when expectations are clear from the beginning

• Strong employee experiences are built through connection, purpose and trust

• Career pathways become more accessible when organisations actively create opportunities

• Authentic leadership means being honest, vulnerable and consistent

• New Zealand organisations have the talent and capability to compete on the global stage when leaders believe in their people

About Estelle Curd

Estelle Curd is Chief People Officer at Kami, where she leads the global people strategy for one of New Zealand's fastest-growing education technology companies.

Her career spans Rocket Lab, Armstrong's and global technology businesses, with expertise in scaling organisations, leadership development, organisational culture, employee experience and people strategy across New Zealand, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Estelle is passionate about helping organisations build high-performing cultures through great leadership, meaningful work and exceptional employee experiences.

Why This Episode Matters

As organisations navigate rapid growth, changing workforce expectations and increasingly flexible ways of working, leadership has never mattered more.

This episode provides practical insights for HR professionals, business owners and leaders looking to build stronger cultures, develop better managers and create workplaces where people genuinely want to perform, contribute and stay.

Resources

• Kami: https://www.kamiapp.com
• Connect with Estelle Curd on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-curd-21717699/