Today in our member case study, we speak with Katy Stark, CEO, director, and co-owner of InZone Industries Holdings Limited. Leading a vertically integrated business with over 170 staff across New Zealand, Katy is driven by purpose- improving the health, sustainability, and energy efficiency of homes. Since joining The CEO Institute in 2024, she’s embraced the value of peer insight, finding clarity and confidence in a role where the hardest truths are rarely spoken unless sought. Her story reflects the resilience and perspective needed to lead through New Zealand’s evolving construction landscape.
Can you briefly describe your business and your role within the company?
InZone Industries Holdings Limited is a vertically integrated business operating in the building industry through two key brands. Mammoth Insulation is our manufacturing and wholesale arm, based in Auckland, while Brightr focuses on supply and installation. Together, we offer insulation and heating solutions across both the new build and retrofit markets, servicing customers nationwide. We currently employ around 170 people.
As CEO—and more recently, director and co-owner—what drives me is both the incredible team I have around me and the meaningful outcomes of our work. Improving the health, sustainability, and energy efficiency of homes makes this role deeply rewarding.
How long have you been a member of The CEO Institute, and what initially led you to join?
I’ve been a member since July 2024, joining a little over a year into my time as CEO at InZone. The recommendation came from a former CEO who always returned from meetings energized and inspired. While I’ve had mentors in the past, the experience was often limited to a single perspective of what their experience was. I saw The CEO Institute as an opportunity to access a more diverse range of ideas, experiences, and advice within a supportive network.
What also resonated with me was the ethos that a CEO never walks alone, as being in the CEO chair I very quickly learnt that people either tell you what you want to hear or tell you nothing that you need to hear about unless you ask the right questions or until it’s too late.
What industry is your business in, and what are some of the key challenges unique to your sector?
In the building and construction industry right now, we are navigating a complex landscape due to evolving markets, global and national economic influences, and government policies impacting everything around housing affordability and infrastructure development. There is a lot of media about the industry which is unhelpful and the lack of support for NZ manufacturing, or sustainability in a price driven market has really intensified the pressure. There are signs of recovery as interest rates reduce, and other economic and industry indicators predict, however the timing remains uncertain.
How has your experience with The CEO Institute contributed to overcoming these challenges?
One of the key benefits has been engaging with members from adjacent industries—hearing their experiences offers fresh perspectives or has sparked ideas that often apply directly to our own challenges. These insights have helped me identify emerging trends, avoid potential pitfalls, and adapt more proactively.
The CEO Institute has provided a forum where I’ve been able to bring real-world issues to the table and in return, I’ve received valuable advice, practical recommendations, and connections to people and resources that have made a tangible difference. It's been a combination of insight, support, and contacts that’s helped me navigate both the complexity and the opportunity in the current market and generally in business.
If nothing else, I have had a minute to say out loud whatever I like in a trusted environment and have people around me that relate.
Why would you recommend The CEO Institute to other business leaders seeking growth and peer support?
As a CEO we spend so much time focusing on everything that is happening in the business, that it can be easy to neglect our own personal development or take a breath to focus “on” the business rather than “in” the business. Especially now, it is hard in the economic landscape, so having others to bounce ideas off, hear what they are doing in their businesses and also for themselves, is uplifting.
I come away from the meetings feeling re energised, I have always learnt something new or to look at something a different way, and hopefully I have also contributed to someone else’s journey.