Just a few years after leaving Albany Senior High School (ASHS), Rebecca Furness found herself presenting to an executive leadership team in Dubai.

For many young professionals, that would be an intimidating moment. For Rebecca, it felt surprisingly familiar.

“The public speaking experience I had built at ASHS, the normalised dynamic of engaging with adults more as peers, and the self-assurance that came from holding leadership roles all came together in that moment,” she says.

“I felt ready because ASHS had, without me fully realising it at the time, been putting me in versions of that room for years.”

Today, Rebecca is Chief Operating Officer at chnnl, a role that has already taken her to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. Alongside her professional career, she recently graduated from Massey University as Valedictorian with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Management with a minor in Psychology, while continuing to contribute to the youth leadership space through speaking engagements and mentoring.

For Rebecca, however, much of that journey can be traced back to opportunities first explored at ASHS.

Learning to Lead

During her time at ASHS, Rebecca embraced opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

She was a Head Student, Associate Tutor, committee member, sportsperson and active contributor to school life. Looking back, she believes those experiences gave her practical leadership skills that she still uses every day.

“The leadership opportunities available through committees, being an Associate Tutor, and as a Head Student gave me real and practical experience in leading people and showing up for others, and I have carried these skills forward with me.”

Rebecca also credits the school’s unique culture with helping prepare her for professional environments.

“Calling teachers by their first names sounds small, but it made a genuine difference,” she says. “That relational dynamic normalised working alongside people regardless of hierarchy, and when I stepped into professional environments, working with colleagues, managers and clients, the transition felt natural rather than daunting.”

Building Something With Purpose

Of all the opportunities available at ASHS, Impact Projects left one of the strongest impressions.

For Rebecca, they provided an early introduction to combining business, leadership and community impact.

“The Impact Projects at ASHS were my first real taste of what it looks like to build something from the ground up with purpose behind it.”

The experience taught her how to take an idea and turn it into reality, while developing skills in project management, problem-solving and leadership.

“It gave me the experience of taking an idea from nothing and bringing it to life, with real support behind me to do so.”

Those lessons would later prove invaluable as she entered the startup world and stepped into leadership roles.

Rebecca is passionate about encouraging current students to make the most of the opportunity.

“I genuinely encourage every ASHS student to throw themselves into Impact Projects wholeheartedly. It is such a rare and special opportunity.”

The self-directed learning model also played a significant role in shaping her future success.

“Learning to structure your own days, hold yourself accountable and stay productive without constant external direction is a skill most people have to acquire later in life, but ASHS gave me a head start.”

That foundation allowed Rebecca to successfully balance full-time university study, full-time work, premier-level netball and international opportunities simultaneously.

From Auckland to Bangkok and Beyond

Since graduating from ASHS in 2022, Rebecca has packed an extraordinary amount into a short period of time.

Alongside completing her degree at Massey University, she was awarded several prestigious scholarships, including the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for All Round Excellence, the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, the Global Citizen Scholarship and the Zhu Xing China Global Youth Leadership Fellowship.

These opportunities took her to Bangkok for a three-month internship and through China, where she explored topics including artificial intelligence, sustainable development and cross-cultural leadership.

“These international experiences fundamentally shaped how I think about leadership and impact,” she says.

Today, Rebecca continues to combine her passion for business with a commitment to creating positive change. Looking ahead, she hopes to build ventures focused on women’s health, mental health and performance, areas where she believes meaningful impact can be made.

Memories That Matter

While Rebecca’s career achievements are impressive, some of her favourite memories from ASHS are much simpler.

Sport was a major part of her school experience, particularly netball, football and PE. She fondly remembers competing at UNISS and the friendships built through sport.

If she had to choose one standout memory, however, it would be Spirit Week in Year 13.

“It was joyful, a little chaotic, and brought the whole cohort together in a way that meant we left school as a truly connected group of people, not just classmates.”

Rebecca also loved being involved in the Health and Wellbeing Committee, helping organise initiatives such as the Blood Drive, Pink Shirt Day and Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

“Those experiences gave me an early outlet for that passion for people and purpose that has defined my path since.”

Saying Yes Before You’re Ready

When asked what makes ASHS different, Rebecca points to the belief that students are capable of more than they often realise themselves.

“I feel that ASHS operates on the premise that students are capable of more than they think for themselves, and that changes everything.”

That belief continues to influence the advice she gives to young people today.

“Say yes before you feel ready.”

Whether it’s leadership opportunities, Impact Projects, sport, the arts or community initiatives, Rebecca believes growth comes from stepping forward before confidence arrives.

“Don’t wait until you feel confident enough to put your hand up, because that moment rarely comes on its own. Confidence is built by doing.“

Looking back now, Rebecca feels immense gratitude for the role ASHS played in her journey.

“It’s a school that sees students as whole people, and that leaves a mark,” she says.

“I carry it with me in how I lead, how I work alongside others, and in the genuine belief that business and community impact belong together, which started at ASHS.”