Dr Julia Tod

Nei te mihi manahau kia koutou katoa
A warm greeting to you all

Nō Ingarangi me Kotiana ōku tipuna
My ancestors are from England and Scotland
I whānau au I Tonga
I was born in Tonga

Ko te moana nui a kiwa te moana
The Pacific is my ocean

Ko Tongatapu tōku papakāinga
Tongatapu is my island

I tipu ake au ki Manawatu
I grew up in the Manawatu

Kei Tāmaki Makaurau e noho ana
I live in Auckland

Ko Julia Tod tōku ingoa
My name is Julia Tod

Doctor of Philosophy (Education), University of Auckland
My research culminated in the development of conceptual frameworks that define the foundational principles and mechanisms essential for individuals to thrive in their roles and cultivate a strong professional identity within an organisation.
Master of Professional Studies (1st Class honours) University of Auckland
Recipient of Top of the Class and 100% grade recognition.
My thesis focused on the induction and mentoring of beginning teachers.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Canterbury
Primary Education Teaching Diploma, Christchurch College of Education

Upon completing my Doctoral studies, I then took the opportunity to deepen my own governance learning.
I have successfully completed The Institute of Directors’ intensive Company Directors Course and undertook a series of governance assessments. I am now on track to become a Chartered Member. This learning has strengthened the support I offer to boards and leaders – not only in board development and strategic planning, but also in leadership coaching and the design of systems that are people-focused, future-ready, and aligned with school values and goals

I am a researcher, strategist, trusted collaborator, and founder of Identity Impact.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
My mahi centres on a core belief: when people are placed at the heart, strategy gains purpose because people are the foundation of every meaningful change.

My career spans senior leadership in tourism, education, and the public sector, with a focus on impact at scale. I have led large national initiatives focused on equity, well-being, and workforce development. I bring a researcher’s mindset — curious, rigorous, and evidence-focused. My mahi centres on sustainable leadership, grounded in strong professional identity, where self-efficacy and validation enable people to lead with confidence and clarity. I support leaders in creating the conditions for sustainable leadership, where people’s well-being is actively protected and strengthened through clear expectations, aligned systems, and thoughtful design.

In particular, I support organisations and governing boards in enquiring deeply, understanding more clearly, and ultimately doing better by designing engagement frameworks that turn insight into clear, confident action. My approach ensures engagement is culturally appropriate, safe, and carried out with integrity, with clear intent around why insight is gathered, whose voices are included, and how it is used. I partner with leaders and boards across education and the public sector to strengthen people, purpose, and direction, creating sustainable organisations where what is heard is visibly reflected in what happens next.