Designed by default or design?

Find out how to build the life you want at our first Connect & Develop webinar of 2026, Tuesday 5 May at 12.15pm.

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Get ready to reconnect with your sense of purpose! Our Connect & Develop Series is back, and for our first session of the year we're excited to welcome 40 under 40 alumna Chandni Sahrawat for a conversation on leadership, self-awareness, and the art of making bold, confident decisions.

Hosted by Peter Papagiannis and MC'd by Cheryl Halverson, this is your chance to gain real, practical insights that you can put to work straight away.

In the session, Chandni will help you cut through the noise and get honest about what you truly want, not just what you think you should want. She'll share a powerful tool for making decisions with clarity and confidence, and show you how to shift from feeling reactive and overwhelmed to showing up as the purposeful, energised leader you're capable of being. If you're ready to stop running on autopilot and start leading with intention, this is the session for you.

Event details:

Guest speaker: Chandni Sahrawat 

Chandni is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, restaurateur and hospitality leader renowned for shaping Auckland’s dining scene. Originally from Pune, India, she moved to New Zealand as an international student, completing her Bachelor of Arts and a graduate diploma in teaching from the University of Auckland. She then gained a postgraduate diploma in Education in Guidance and Counselling from Massey University, followed by a graduate certificate in coaching from Southern Institute of Technology. Chandni is the founding director and operations manager of several acclaimed dining establishments, including Cassia, Sid at The French Café, and FMCG brand Cassia at Home. Her role spans operations leadership, marketing, human resources and strategic business growth.

Chandni’s career in hospitality began after moving to New Zealand, where she met her husband and business partner, chef Sid Sahrawat. Together, they have opened and operated multiple successful restaurants and launched Cassia at Home, a gourmet product range inspired by their culinary vision.

She is an advocate for inclusivity in the workforce and has supported fundraising efforts and charitable causes within the Auckland community. Chandni has been recognised among the University of Auckland’s “40 under 40” alumni and is a board member of Heart of the City, Auckland’s central city business association, where she contributes to strategic initiatives that support and promote the vitality of the city centre.

Chandni also works as a life coach and founder of Goal Getters NZ, helping others achieve personal and professional growth.

MC: Cheryl Halverson 

Cheryl is a Career Development and Employability Consultant at the University of Auckland, where she supports students in navigating their career pathways and building confidence in their professional journeys. With a background in specialised education and student support, she is passionate about empowering students to realise and achieve their goals.