Kate Gatfield-Jefferies

"I always had an affinity for English and business-related topics. Combined, these offered me opportunities for creative thinking and real-world insights. At school, I found my true passions outside the classroom, getting involved in community service and advocating alongside other students to make positive change.

"I was determined to get into Law School, but not necessarily with the aim of becoming a lawyer. I wanted to go into business and thought having a Law degree would give me an edge. Studying Law unlocked a pool of knowledge and insights about systems and rules and the opportunities and barriers experienced by people and organisations when navigating the law.

"I was very engaged with extracurricular activities in the Law and Business faculties. I found it an opportunity to apply the theoretical content I was learning to real-life situations and develop my leadership skills.

"I became the Co-President of University of Auckland Women in Business in 2021, my final year of study. Alongside other events and initiatives, we started a mentoring programme pairing first-year female students from all business disciplines with senior female students. I was also part of a similar programme in the Law faculty.

"I chose these extracurriculars based on what I was passionate about. I’ve always been passionate about equity and elevating women to achieve their potential. Part of that is breaking down the barriers women face, whether in law, business, or other facets of their life. For me, it was a way to contribute to that sphere and have a tangible impact on my immediate community.

"I also participated in the Velocity 100k Challenge during my final year. I came up with an idea and pitched it in the Challenge. That idea was Moodi – the business I run today.

"I’d always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I knew I wanted to be the CEO of my own company by the time I turned 40. I thought, ‘Well, the University has all these amazing resources for students who want to pursue entrepreneurship or explore it’. So, I entered!

"I spent the final year of university working on the idea. And I think that Velocity gave me the confidence to believe that I could execute what I’d come up with and bring it to market.

"I learned many skills while at university that directly apply to my day-to-day role. The E-commerce space that Moodi operates in is fast-paced and constantly evolving. The most valuable things I learned at university have been the transferable skills – leading a team, problem-solving, testing different solutions, implementing those solutions, managing stakeholders, having a vision, and being strategic."