Celebrating the Holcim Spirit
Five women leading with purpose, empowering people, and driving performance at Holcim New Zealand
At Holcim New Zealand, our people are essential to building progress through sustainability and innovation. The Holcim Spirit—centred on purpose, people, and performance—guides how we work, lead, and grow together. As Builders of Progress, we’re committed to shaping a better future, not only through what we build, but how we empower those who help build it.
In this story, we highlight five outstanding women—Tracy Bedford (Regional Administrator), Khush Phuja (Depot Supervisor), Mel Simmons (Finance Business Partner), Patricia Souza (Customer Service Specialist), and Nicola Chartrand (Depot Manager)—whose dedication and leadership reflect the Holcim Spirit in action. From nurturing diverse talent to achieving operational excellence, each of these women plays a key role in fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace that’s grounded in shared values and a clear sense of purpose.
Building Knowledge, Supporting People
Tracy Bedford (Hamilton)
Since joining Holcim in November 2023—following five years with Allied Concrete—Tracy has brought adaptability, energy, and a natural ability to connect with both customers and colleagues. Known for her attention to detail and willingness to embrace change, she has quickly become an integral part of the team, especially during the transition to new systems and processes.
Tracy thrives in a flexible working environment that enables her to stay engaged at work while being present for the people who matter most in her life—including her three grown children and two young grandchildren. Outside of work, she brings that same spirit of generosity to her community—with her home known in the neighbourhood as “The Christmas House” thanks to her elaborate festive displays. “It takes a village,” she says, “and Holcim’s flexibility allows me to contribute meaningfully both at work and at home.”
Tracy is also inspired by Holcim’s focus on innovation and sustainability. “I never used to think much about concrete,” she says, “but now I see it like baking a cake—there’s a recipe for every job, and it’s amazing how many ways concrete can be adapted to meet specific needs.” She’s especially interested in Holcim’s efforts to reduce environmental impact through recycled materials and low-carbon solutions.
A lifelong learner and natural problem-solver, Tracy values Holcim’s commitment to upskilling and supporting its people. “I’m always curious,” she says. “Holcim invests in its people, and that’s aligned with how I like to work—asking questions, finding answers, and staying open to further innovation.”
Strengthening Teams, Shaping the Future
Khush Phuja (Auckland - Onehunga)
With over two and a half years at Holcim, Khush has quickly proven herself a leader committed to safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Her role has seen her lead key operational enhancements, including the implementation of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) procedures that reduced incidents and improved performance, as well as updating all operating procedures to align with compliance and efficiency goals. She also played a pivotal role in Holcim’s successful Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and Quality Management System (QMS) external audits.
Khush thrives in environments that value integrity, shared goals, and respect. “What I appreciate most is working for a company that fosters a positive, healthy workplace culture—where collaboration is encouraged, and career development is supported,” she says. Her leadership style is grounded in communication, feedback, and a belief in team success over individual effort.
Her impact extends beyond operations—Khush brings a passion for learning and a growth mindset to everything she does. “Since stepping into this role, I’ve grown my leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills. I’m excited to take on more responsibility and contribute to Holcim’s goals in innovation and sustainability.” Her advice for others stepping into leadership: stay open to learning, focus on teamwork, and listen to your colleagues—continuous growth comes through collaboration. Holcim values Innovation and empower our people to go the extra mile, so that together, we can deliver the next generation of building solutions.
Outside of work, Khush enjoys travelling, cooking, and reading—a balance alongside her role as a mother that she maintains with intention. The Holcim value that resonates most strongly with her is People, a principle where the well-being of all employees is a top priority and value she lives by—supporting others and championing safe, respectful workspaces.
People First, Always Learning
Mel Simmons (Christchurch)
Mel Simmons, Finance Business Partner at Holcim New Zealand, brings energy, curiosity, and a people-first mindset to her role. After 18 months with the company, she credits the team culture as the standout feature: “The people—we have a great team at Holcim, and those connections are what make each day fun!”
New to the concrete industry, Mel embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. With support from her colleagues, she’s quickly gained industry knowledge and confidence. A recent career highlight was joining a site pour in an Ashby’s Ready Mixed truck, operated by Holcim in Christchurch: “It’s so rewarding to see our mahi contribute to someone’s dream build coming to life.”
Outside of work, Mel enjoys getting outdoors—whether hiking in the hills, relaxing by the beach, or spending quality time with friends. Her biggest inspiration is her daughter. “Balancing parenthood and career is a juggle,” she says, “but being a strong role model to my daughter is a key motivator in everything I do.”
Looking ahead, Mel is excited about Holcim’s focus on building solutions including ready mixed concrete and the chance to keep learning and contributing. Her advice to new starters: “Get out amongst the business, soak up the learnings, and make the most of any opportunity that comes your way.”
For Mel, the Holcim Spirit reflects her own mindset that “growth starts with us”, and why we foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork that supports and inspires our people every step of the way.
Thinking Big, Delivering More
Patricia Souza (Auckland - Onehunga)
Patricia Souza, Customer Service Specialist in the Cement Division, has been a valued part of Holcim New Zealand for four years—bringing energy, accountability, and a sharp focus on problem-solving to every stakeholder interaction. “What I enjoy most,” she says, “is the dynamic nature of the role—engaging with people and finding solutions that make a difference.”
Patricia’s professional growth is matched by the pride she takes in raising her three daughters. “I’ve learned that I can do it—I can be a great person, a great mum, and a great worker all at once,” she says. This clarity of purpose and confidence defines how she approaches both her career and family life.
She’s especially proud of recent recognition for her results within Holcim Australia & New Zealand and is passionate about contributing to process improvement and team success. The Holcim value that resonates most with her is Performance: We are dedicated to making things happen and bringing our vision to life with excellence and accountability. “Being accountable means thinking beyond the task—understanding how your actions affect others and shaping the best path forward.”
Her advice for new team members: “Think big. Do more than expected. Small daily wins build momentum and lead to greater responsibility.”
Resilient, Curious, and Always Growing
Nicola Chartrand (Lyttleton)
Nicola Chartrand, Depot Manager at Holcim New Zealand in Lyttleton near Christchurch, has been a valued member of the team for over a decade—leading with purpose, adapting with agility, and supporting those around her. What she enjoys most about her role is the strong sense of community and the ever-changing nature of the work: “Every day brings new challenges and opportunities.”
Nicola brings the same energy to life outside of work. Whether she’s camping, hiking, knitting, or raising her three young children—she brings creativity, care, and commitment to everything she does. She recently published her first mobile game, reflecting her drive to innovate well beyond her core responsibilities.
Throughout her career at Holcim, Nicola has embraced adaptability and continuous learning, particularly around technology and sustainable practices. She’s excited to contribute to greener operations and smarter logistics—an outlook that aligns closely with Holcim’s Purpose.
Her advice to others: “Just roll with it. Stay curious and ask questions. Understanding the ‘why’ behind decisions gives you the foundation to grow.” Holcim invests in world-class learning and development opportunities, so that together, all our people can grow and thrive.
Be a Builder of Progress – Leading Innovative and Sustainable Building
These five women reflect the spirit of Holcim New Zealand—where people are empowered to lead with purpose, supported to grow, and inspired to perform at their best. Their stories show how a workplace built on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion creates real impact—on projects, teams, and communities.
If you’re passionate about building progress and want to be part of a culture where your contribution matters, explore current opportunities.
