Leading questions

eading questionsL

Amy Oding leads Vodafone’s network infrastructure strategy and roadmap development. She works with crossfunctional teams in New Zealand and globally to provide world-class mobile and fixed telecommunication services and unlock technology for customers. She has extensive experience in engineering design, capital investment planning, AI and automation, customer growth forecasting, and professional engineering leadership. She’s passionate about technology innovation that enables people and businesses to thrive. Amy leads Vodafone’s Mana Wāhine network and is a Women Leaders in AI Honouree from IBM.

What attributes make you a good leader?

Having the ability to inspire people and communicate goals simply and clearly to enable teams to understand the impact on business and society. Being curious and enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and adapting in a rapidly changing digital communications industry.

At the end of each day, what tells you whether you’ve been successful?

Seeing a sparkle in people’s eyes – for example when I help my team unblock a project issue; when people appreciate that they are making a difference for customers; when I see someone has learned something new.

What inspired you to become an engineer?

I first became aware of professional engineering from my brother who studied engineering. I was fortunate to join the University of Auckland’s Enginuity Day that informs female high school students about exciting engineering careers and possibilities. I relished maths and science subjects at school, which helped me to gain the problem-solving capabilities to apply to real-life engineering challenges.

Who opened a key door for you?

Trail-blazing Vodafone Network Engineering General Manager Jeni Mundy, who responded to my cold call for job opportunities during my final year at engineering school. I was thrilled she offered me a role as an RF Design Engineer. At the same time, she triggered a graduate recruitment programme that subsequently developed many engineers.

How do you connect your work with a sense of greater good?

There are many ways engineering for good connects with my work. My passion for innovative technology and growing people’s knowledge has led me to contribute to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ethics committee on an AI ethics for business and society framework. I promote STEM by sponsoring the “Mini Robot Rumble”, a creative high school competition run by the Auckland University Robotics Association. I’m proud to lead the Mana Wāhine network, to support the inclusion and career development of women, and women in technology.

What mistake have you learned from most?

Underestimating the time it takes to create people change compared to technology change. For example, transforming people’s knowledge and skills to adopt AI in a traditional infrastructure engineering

Amy Oding

Based in: Auckland Role: Strategic Planning Manager, Vodafone New Zealand Education: Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), Electrical & Electronic, University of Auckland, 2000

workplace. I learned to focus my leadership on developing people to deliver the benefits of AI. We’re now continuing to develop AI and automation across multiple network engineering teams in a way that fosters positive human-machine interaction, so people and machines can be continuously developed.

How do you approach a difficult conversation with someone you lead?

Prepare yourself with facts and a growth mindset. Be clear about what you’d like to achieve in the discussion. Actively listen and show empathy and commitment to work together on the steps to a positive outcome.

Who is a leader in New Zealand you admire and why?

Ernest Rutherford, for his scientific contribution to the atomic model and a great Kiwi pioneer and thought leader.

What questions have you been asking yourself lately?

Are we doing enough on climate change? Engineers can make a tremendous impact if we focus on technology advancements that are simple and achievable.