Breast Cancer Foundation NZ appoints Vanessa Sorenson as new Chief Executive

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ has appointed highly experienced New Zealand business and technology leader Vanessa Sorenson as its new Chief Executive.

Sorenson brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across Microsoft and Spark New Zealand, with an extensive track record in organisational leadership, transformation, innovation and building high performance teams. Most recently she served as Microsoft’s Global Partner Leader for Australia New Zealand and Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Chair Justine Smyth says Sorenson brings an exceptional combination of leadership experience, strategic capability and ability to deliver results.

“Vanessa is an outstanding purpose-driven leader with a proven ability to bring people together, lead through change and turn strategy into action,” Smyth says.

“What particularly impressed the Board was Vanessa’s strength as a values-driven people leader and the energy and ambition she brings to the opportunity. She has led large and complex organisations, built high-performing teams and strong cultures, and developed trusted relationships across business, government, boards, iwi and a wide range of partners and stakeholders.

“As we embark on our new strategy, we have ambitious goals for the Foundation and the impact we want to achieve for New Zealanders. Vanessa brings the leadership, strategic thinking and drive to help us deliver on those ambitions and accelerate progress towards our vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.”

Sorenson says the opportunity to lead Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and contribute to its mission is both exciting and deeply meaningful.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and to have the opportunity to lead an organisation that makes such an important difference to the lives of New Zealanders,” Sorenson says.

“The Foundation has an ambitious strategy and a powerful purpose. I’m looking forward to working with the team, the Board and our many supporters and partners to build on what has already been achieved, find new ways to grow our impact, and accelerate progress towards zero deaths from breast cancer.

“After more than 30 years in the technology and telecommunications sectors, I’m excited to bring my experience in leadership, transformation and innovation to an organisation with such a clear and important purpose.”

Smyth says Sorenson’s appointment builds on the strong foundations established under outgoing Chief Executive Ah-Leen Rayner.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to acknowledge Ah-Leen’s significant contribution to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and thank her for her leadership and commitment to the Foundation and its mission over the past five years.

“We are excited about this next chapter for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ and delighted to have someone of Vanessa’s calibre leading the organisation.”

Sorenson will commence as Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ on 14 September 2026.