At Authenticity Studio, we are honoured to celebrate Gary. His life is a testament to the fact that kindness, clarity, and authenticity can bring about systemic change, not through shouting, but through walking steadily, with heart and truth, and inviting others to walk alongside.

We want to tell the stories of people who lead with heart. People who’ve turned their heartbreak into hope. People who understand that the human condition is not a problem to fix, but a story to honour.

When Passion Met a Champion: A Teen’s Journey from Impossible to Possible

When I first arrived in Aotearoa, I noticed something subtle yet persistent. What I considered respectful or polite back home was sometimes misinterpreted here — even seen as inappropriate.

Eva leads not by striving, but simply by being — and that, to me, is the essence of authentic leadership.

To us, leadership is about fully embracing who you are — in life, in public, and in your own essence.

Because your essence is a light. A lantern that keeps glowing, even when the world around you feels dark. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s that steady light inside that never disappears.

Let’s dance with it. Let’s watch the waves. Let’s appreciate the beauty of feeling this much, of carrying this depth inside me.

We must ask ourselves: do we want a system that only echoes the same voices? Or one that thrives through diversity, honesty, and the courage to grow together?