- Posted November 26, 2021
- Media Releases
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) and Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) have welcomed the recognition of Chief People Officer Shelly Thompson by the 2021 New Zealand Rainbow Excellence Awards.
Shelly was awarded the Chorus Ambassadorship Award in recognition of her leadership of the intelligence agencies in building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Shelly was a finalist in both the Ambassadorship and Executive Leadership categories, and the New Zealand Intelligence Community was a finalist in the Westpac Supreme Award, which it won last year.
Shelly said it was a great recognition of the collective effort by the NZSIS and GCSB to embed the value of diversity and inclusion.
“It is about doing whatever I can do within the intelligence community and wider public service to ensure that our workplaces and all the people in them value diversity and treat all people, regardless of difference, equally and with respect. Through this we enable all people to bring their true selves to work and flourish.”
GCSB Director-General Andrew Hampton said Shelly’s vision, passion and hard work meant the agencies are being transformed in a very fundamental and positive way.
“Shelly’s work on recognising, supporting and celebrating our Rainbow Community staff has made her a role model for me and her colleagues and, most importantly, also made our organisation a much more supportive and safe place for our LGBTTQIA+ staff. Shelly is a true star.”
NZSIS Director-General of Security Rebecca Kitteridge said Shelly’s strong personal beliefs and values pointed towards the North Star of diversity and inclusion, and she never wavered in her passion and commitment to get there.
“It is because of Shelly that our Diversity and Inclusion work programme became such a priority for us.
“I truly understand that this mahi is fundamental to our culture and our people of every colour of the rainbow, and that it underpins so much else that is important to our success.”
In the 2020 Rainbow Excellence Awards the NZSIS and GCSB won the overall Westpac Supreme Award, as well as the Partners Life Emerging Award and the Rainbow Tick Training and Development Award.
The New Zealand Intelligence Community first received Rainbow Tick accreditation in 2019, and were reaccredited in July this year for another two years.
Background: Shelly Thompson joined the intelligence agencies in 2015 and leads the joint NZSIS and GCSB People and Capability team as the Chief People Officer. Shelly has more than 25 years’ experience in the HR profession, and previously held a number of senior HR positions with the New Zealand Defence Force.