Investing in leaders of the future

REANNZ is investing in its people and the strength of the global NREN community by sending New Zealand’s first ever participant to the Global Leadership Development Programme (GLDP).

Dan Twohill, Team leader Network Services, has joined the 2025 cohort of future leaders, attending the programme’s opening week in Europe in February. He will participate in a further two weeks of online leadership coaching before a final, in-person session rounds out the course.

The programme was initiated by the Global Research and Education Network CEO Forum. It has been designed specifically for the NREN community and is now in its second year.

It aims to build core leadership skills while maximising the uniqueness of the NREN culture to share global expertise and experience, and to learn from others.

REANNZ Chief Executive Amber McEwen says the uniqueness of NREN’s means learners need a particular style of leadership.

“NRENS operate collaboratively and collectively as one global eco-system. The stronger each individual part, the stronger the collective.

“That’s why this programme is so important. Its key point of difference is how it leans into the foundational feature of what it takes for NRENS to be successful: collaboration across global borders.

Amber says that given the size of the business, and its unique role within New Zealand, it makes perfect sense to invest in existing talent and build their skills.

“Our future success depends on having technically brilliant people who understand what it means to be part of this global ecosystem and can engage with, and inspire, others.

“Dan was the obvious choice as a future leader. He is a thoughtful and measured team leader, highly respected by the sector and technically excellent in his field.”

Meet Dan Twohill

Dan Twohill, REANNZ’s Team leader, Network Services is the first New Zealand participant on the programme.

Dan joined REANNZ in 2018 as a senior engineer. Today he leads a team across three cities, managing member delivery and the day-to-day operation of the network.

He says the programme has helped him to have confidence in stepping forward and giving his opinion on more than just technical matters.

“At times I’ve had to stand in for my manager on the senior leadership team so I’m looking forward to the next opportunity where I get to put what I have learnt, into practice.

Dan says the community mindset is deeply ingrained in the programme and the people attending.

“The NREN community is founded on collaboration; it lacks borders or barriers and that theme was consistent the whole time we were together. Building relationships, collective problem solving and shared expertise.

“Everyone who attended was happy to share their experiences, it was an incredibly open and welcoming environment.

“The first week was a real eye-opener with CEOs sharing their personal experiences of leadership. It was really useful to hear from them talking about their ‘career stallers and stoppers’ and the importance of failure. Having these successful people be so open about the challenges they have faced and how they bounced back from difficulty, is both inspiring and reassuring.

“We finished the week with a CEO simulation where we had to present a strategy to our Board and then deal with a crisis, so launching straight in the deep end. It certainly helped me to understand some of my own strengths and the areas I lack experience.

“I am grateful to those who made this possible for me and would strongly recommend this programme to anyone given the opportunity to attend. You will be challenged but you won’t regret it!”.

Class of 2025 - Global Leaders Development Programme