Anna Mowbray

2021 Women of Influence finalist: Inspiring creativity

As co-founder and director of ZURU, which was launched in 2003, Anna Mowbray has grown ZURU to be the fifth largest toy company in the globe doing over 1 billion in revenue. Anna’s role as CEO of this arm of the company is dedicated to inspiring, encouraging creativity, and building innovative play for children. Anna spent fifteen years in Asia bringing the vision and the business to life. She’s dedicated to cultivating an incredible team, running efficient, lean operations and nurturing success. The company has now diversified into FMCG developing brands across a range of categories. ZURU was named NZ Entrepreneur of the Year award winner and Anna the 2020 Wonder Woman in Manufacturing by Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment. Anna completed a Bachelor of Technology Food through Massey.

Anna reminisces, “My standout memory from Massey was undoubtably my time in Colorado Hall. In this hall, I was surrounded by an incredibly inspiring, driven, and motivated group of students who constantly challenged the status quo and pushed for more. The drive from everyone was exceptional, but what really stood out was the brilliant balance between academia and enjoying life to the max, building formative incredible friendships. That year was one of real growth and of finding oneself.”

For new grads, Anna offers an inspiring challenge. “If you think you can, you can; if you think you can’t, you can’t, so set a high goal, an uncomfortably high goal and shoot for it as the only person holding you back from it is yourself. Thereafter, never waste time looking back!”