Courtney Mayhew
Courtney has worked in the film and television industry in Australia, United States, China and at home in Aotearoa New Zealand. Starting with working at a cinema as a teenager, she has spent the majority of her career in communications across the industry.
Having worked in house for Paramount and Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, Marvel and Studiocanal, more recently Courtney’s work is between both the red carpet and the film set. She has worked with most major studios and streamers, as well as the leading independent organisations and has over 30 TV and film credits under her belt as unit publicist and behind the scenes/EPK producer.
Along with on set work, under her company matter she works on film and TV releases, personal and organisational representation, social media and media training. Courtney has also produced music videos, a documentary and advised on numerous entertainment projects. In 2018 Courtney returned home to Tāmaki Makaurau, and lives there with her girlfriend and the stray cat they took in over the first lockdown, Bloomfield.
What does leadership look like to you?
Courtney: The best leaders that I have been fortunate to come across in my time, empower and inspire. Empower because they have the humility to know that strength in numbers is power, and that they need to give others agency to grow. Inspire by their mere actions; I can’t think of anything less cliche than the saying ‘leading by example’, but I think it’s the most powerful tool for a leader.
What are you hoping to get out of this experience?
Courtney: To learn and to listen from awesome wāhine. To not just find like-minded souls, but also find different perspectives. With the isolation of the past few months, I think it’s so valuable…and I am definitely craving face to face contact and being totally present in the moment!
How does your community show up in your practice?
Courtney: I do what I do because I love art and I love storytellers. I (perhaps naively) think stories have the ability to change the world. I have therefore always gravitated toward those stories from the rainbow communities, that I feel have a positive impact, and my perspective as a queer woman is never far from my work.
