Annah Stretton

Annah has travelled quite some distance since she first founded the Stretton Fashion Group back back in 1991. As a fashion designer, manufacturer and retailer in a very competitive industry, she carries a huge sense of pride that her clothing label has been worn and loved by women for almost a quarter of a century.

However, like many professional women, CEO is just one facet of her world. As an author of 6 books and countless blogs, writing has become another vehicle for Annah to ‘pay it forward’ along with her increasing involvement in an extensive social change journey. RAW (Reclaim Another Woman) - a New Zealand based charity set up in 2013 - was the beginning of that journey. RAW works alongside socially disadvantaged demographics to help forge a different pathway forward for themselves, their children, and ultimately the community.

In 2016 that journey expanded to include the all-important areas of health and wellbeing with the launch of ‘Te Atawhai’ – a mind, movement and nutrition retreat – that is looking to redefine the way New Zealanders approach their health and well being. Te Atawhai was closely followed up with the establishment of Kia Puawai, a charity that affords that same health and well being opportunity to everyday New Zealanders through wellness grants.

Annah’s contribution in the field of fashion and social change has been acknowledged through numerous awards including the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Fashion/Business/Community, The Verve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year and most recently the Earnest & Young 2015 Social Entrepreneur of the year.