In celebration of International Women’s Day, we had the privilege of sitting down with a few of the incredible women leaders at Millbrook Resort. We learned more about their roles, their achievements, and what this special day means to them.
One thing these remarkable women all share is the significant growth they've experienced in their careers. Over the years, they’ve stepped into new roles, showcasing their dedication and development. Their passion for excelling in their positions is matched only by their commitment to supporting and empowering those around them. Above all, it's their kindness that makes them extraordinary women!
Read on to learn more about each of these inspiring women.
Petra Sim – Executive Housekeeper
Petra has been working at Millbrook for 4.5 years. She arrived just after the COVID lockdowns eased and has witnessed significant changes within the housekeeping team, helping to grow the team from 15 to around 45 members. Together with five hardworking, creative women in supervisor positions, Petra oversees the cleaning and maintenance of 170 rooms and homes across the resort, while also working to create a fully engaged team of housekeepers from diverse backgrounds. Petra is fortunate to collaborate with other departments to ensure the best possible experience for guests, while also striving to implement changes in sustainability practices. She is particularly excited about researching the possibility of switching to glass milk bottles in the resort's rooms in the future. Passionate about inclusion and equality, Petra believes that International Women’s Day is a time to recognise that all women should be valued and respected.
Briana O’Donohue – Sales & Events Manager
Briana is originally from Melbourne, Australia, and moved to Queenstown 8 years ago for what was meant to be a “one year off”. However, she has since made Queenstown her home and has been at Millbrook Resort for 2 years, now appointed as the Sales & Events Manager. In her role, Briana leads a team of three amazing women, collectively organising Weddings, Conferences, Golf Groups, Gala Dinners, and more. Every day, she builds connections with clients and staff from around the world, creating memorable experiences and events. Recently, her team successfully completed another New Zealand Open, a huge accomplishment for Millbrook and for the team. For Briana, International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the strength, resilience, and passion of women in all walks of life, lifting each other up in a world that can sometimes be challenging.
Charlotte Laurentin – Rooms Division Manager
As the Rooms Division Manager at Millbrook Resort, Charlotte thrives on the opportunity to make someone’s day special - whether it’s a guest experiencing the stunning landscape or a team member reaching a new milestone. For Charlotte, hospitality is all about connection, and she loves creating memorable experiences that showcase not only Millbrook’s beauty but also the warmth of the team. Outside of work, Charlotte is passionate about running and finds constant inspiration in what women can achieve. It's incredible to think that just a few decades ago, women were not even allowed to run marathons, and now they are conquering ultra-distances and breaking barriers in every field. For Charlotte, International Women’s Day is a reminder of how far we’ve come and the importance of pushing boundaries, supporting one another, and celebrating every win—big or small.
Chantelle Kirkwood – Senior Reservations Sales Agent
Chantelle has been working at Millbrook for over 8 years, beginning her journey in the Food & Beverage department, where she worked for about a year. The remainder of her time has been spent in the Reservations department, where she is currently the Senior Reservations Sales Agent. Chantelle's role involves implementing various projects for the Reservations team and the wider resort, providing technical support to the Reservations, Events, and Front Desk teams, generating revenue reports, and fulfilling any other necessary duties. She loves putting systems in place and helping train staff to maintain consistency across departments while also contributing to their career development. Chantelle has also been fortunate to be part of Millbrook’s leadership team, where she has gained valuable skills and knowledge in management, for which she is grateful.
Lindsay Page – Membership Coordinator
Lindsay is celebrating her fifth year at Millbrook, where she has worked her way up from the Drinks Cart to Golf Operations Assistant, and now to Membership Coordinator. Through these roles, she has gained a well-rounded understanding of everything Millbrook has to offer. In her current role, Lindsay primarily oversees the 640 family memberships, representing nearly 1,800 members from both New Zealand and overseas. Her role is incredibly diverse, spanning administration, organising golf tournaments, networking with sponsors, and coordinating social events for members. While it can be fast-paced and hectic at times, Lindsay finds it to be always rewarding. What she loves most about her job is building relationships with members. The longer she’s here, the more they feel like family, and Lindsay looks forward to continuing to foster the strong, welcoming community that makes Millbrook so special.
Rachel Albers – People & Culture Advisor
Rachel joined Millbrook Resort in 2024 as a People & Culture Advisor and has loved getting to know the team and being part of such a welcoming workplace. Her role covers everything from recruitment and employee engagement to training and development, but her favourite part is running the fortnightly induction. Spending the day with new team members, introducing them to Millbrook, and helping them feel at home is something she finds really rewarding.
Since starting at Millbrook, Rachel has built strong relationships across the business and loves being a friendly face that people can turn to. She’s passionate about making sure employees feel valued and supported throughout their time at Millbrook.
As one of four sisters, Rachel has always been surrounded by strong women, and she deeply values the unique bond of female friendships. For her, International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the power, kindness, and support that women bring to each other’s lives. She loves being a woman and believes there’s something truly special about the way women uplift and champion one another - whether in the workplace, in friendships, or in family.
