Boss Life: ‘Eat, Love, Pray’ year at MIT shaped Sarah Kennedy’s global food leadership

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Sarah Kennedy is an avid reader who likes scanning other people’s bookshelves - to know them better, and to perhaps get a lend of some of the better ones.

Calocurb chief executive Sarah Kennedy has spent more than 20 years in dietary and animal nutrition, after originally training as a vet.

What was your most formative life experience?

In 2010 I was accepted to do a Sloan Fellowship at MIT in Boston. They take around 100 people from around the world who must have over 20 years of business experience. I got to meet the most wonderful people. In my first learning group, I had Hiro, who was from one of the largest Japanese breweries; Lucino, from the Spanish Treasury; and Stacey, from the US Air Force. So, as I always said, we had the money, guns, and alcohol!

I always call it my 'eat, love, pray year' for a professional person. I feel truly grateful to have had the opportunity and experience.

Who is your most inspirational figure, and why?

I have had many inspirational figures, both personally and professionally, but probably the most contemporary in the NZ business world is Sir Stephen Tindall; he not only founded a business that democratised department store shopping and employed hundreds of people but also set up a venture capital firm to assist startups (Calocurb included), and a philanthropic foundation that donates to so many wonderful causes. I have met Sir Stephen a few times, and I have always found him to be humble, engaged, and genuinely interested in what you are doing.

Favourite book?

I am an avid reader who consistently has five to ten books (yes, the traditional printed kind!) positioned besides my bed. I love scanning other people's bookshelves; it often says a lot about a person and at the very least provides me a whole new library if they are the lending kind.

The Warehouse founder, investor and philanthropist Sir Stephen Tindall, inspires Sarah Kennedy.

If you consider a favourite book to be one you frequently use and that has remained with you for years, it would have to be The Edmonds Cookery Book. Mine is an 80s version and has been with me since flatting days - and I still make my favourite, ginger crunch.

Hardest decision ever?

All decisions involving people are difficult. I was tasked with closing a textile factory in South Auckland over 10 years ago, as it was no longer viable to manufacture textiles in NZ. We were sending the raw wool to China to be spun, then back to New Zealand to be woven into textiles, and finally back to China or Vietnam to be made into clothing– this process just didn't make economic or business sense. However, this was highly skilled people's livelihood. It was a difficult time and I was pleased we could provide support not only through payouts but also for future employment opportunities.

Should billionaires exist?

I believe the answer depends on how the money was made; however, if billions were earned by creating a category or industry that drives innovation and fuels jobs, then I agree. But of course there are nuances.

If I was a billionaire, I would …

When I received these questions, I was out on a friend's boat on the Hauraki Gulf. We had just watched a pod of orcas go past and were about to start a wonderful lunch. I am not sure if being a billionaire could enhance this experience - time with friends, great food and the outdoors.

What is the one thing that could happen in New Zealand tomorrow that would make life better for the most people?

Of course I am going to say to be allowed to advertise Calocurb freely in NZ!

New Zealand has a similar obesity crisis to the rest of the world, with 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 12 children obese. With government funding in clinical research, Calocurb over the last 15 years has discovered and developed a natural, affordable and accessible tool to assist with weight health. We sell Calocurb to the world; we should be using more of it here.

Short Bio: originally trained as a vet, Sarah spent more than 20 years in dietary and animal nutrition, including 10 years as managing director of Healtheries, where she oversaw its merger with Nutralife. At Fonterra she held numerous roles including vice president, international farming based in China and managing director of dairy nutrition. She has held a number of other senior executive positions in agribusiness and food industries and board positions with Government, private, philanthropic and listed NZ companies.