Candidate: Xi (Angela) Fang

I am writing with great enthusiasm to submit my candidacy for the Student Representative on the University Council. My extensive and proven experience in governance, strategic leadership, and grassroots advocacy, cultivated both within our University community and beyond, has equipped me with a unique and comprehensive skill set necessary to effectively represent the diverse student voice at the highest level of university governance.

The Council’s need for a student who can contribute meaningfully to strategic thinking, complex decision-making, and risk governance aligns directly with my practical experience. As the Founder of the Auckland Women’s Skate Festival, I developed the entire strategic framework from a concept to a recurring annual event. This involved detailed budget management, risk mitigation for public events, and leading a volunteer team to achieve measurable outcomes, including raising $8,000 per festival and engaging 200+ participants. Similarly, founding Xcelerated Education required me to navigate the complexities of a start-up venture, making strategic decisions on market positioning and long-term planning. This hands-on entrepreneurial and executive leadership experience is directly transferable to the governance and fiduciary challenges faced by the Council, providing me with a real-world understanding of strategic oversight.

Furthermore, my current role as Chair of Te Puawaitanga Women’s Organisation has provided me with formal governance experience. I am responsible for setting the strategic direction, providing fiduciary oversight of a $20,000 budget raised through successful fundraising initiatives, and ensuring all our projects align with our core mission of empowerment and integrity. This role directly mirrors the Council’s function of ensuring the highest standards of conduct and genuine concern for the public interest and well-being of our students, preparing me to contribute from day one.

Crucially, this role demands a deep, authentic connection to the entire student body. My work as a Breakfast Club Host at the University grounds me in the pressing issue of student food insecurity, allowing me to connect directly with dozens of peers every week. Simultaneously, as Youth Lead for EndoWarriors e.V., I have mobilised a team to educate over 500 students on critical health issues and drive systemic advocacy, including a petition that secured 2,500 signatures. This dual perspective, addressing immediate student welfare needs while championing long-term, structural change, ensures I can effectively channel a wide spectrum of student concerns to the Council table.

I fully understand and respect the commitment required: to diligently review all council papers, engage with wider sector developments, and serve actively on committees. My current portfolio demands a similar balance of high-level strategic oversight, meticulous preparation, and engaged participation. I am deeply passionate about ensuring the student voice is not just heard but is genuinely instrumental in shaping the University's strategic direction and future. I would be honoured to contribute to the University’s legacy of excellence.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Xi (Angela) Fang