Labiba Rahman

Strategy Advisor, Housing New Zealand

Libby was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and has grown up in Auckland. She can speak fluent Bangla and would love to see increased awareness of Bangladesh in New Zealand.

Libby has a diverse academic and professional background. She graduated with a conjoint BA/BCom with majors in Economics, Finance and Political Studies from the University of Auckland. Her keen interest in the intersection between international politics, development and business led her to pursue a multidisciplinary BA(Hons) degree in Development Studies.

Subsequently, Libby went on to work for the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, an international NGO working in the health sector in Pacific Island countries to provide and strengthen eye care services, where she gained hands-on experience in international development programme design, delivery and reporting. Her innate curiosity about data and drive to improve systems helped her improve clinical and financial monitoring and reporting processes across the Foundation.

In recent years, Libby has completed the Master of Analytics (Business) Programme at Massey University and worked on projects at Foodstuffs New Zealand, Heartland Bank and Fletcher Building.

Libby is a part of the local Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCI) Board as Member Services/Programme Development Director and is responsible for developing engaging career and personal development events for JCI members and young professionals in Auckland. She was one of the Aotearoa Youth Leadership Institute delegates to the World Bank & IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. in 2017.

Libby has a strong interest in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how corporations and millennials workers can work together to ensure progress towards these Goals. Libby is passionate about harnessing the power of Advanced Analytics to improve Government and Corporate accountability towards Development Goals.