Elizabeth Lewis Daniell: Leading with Strategy and Purpose in the Digital Revolution
A Journey of Growth and Leadership
Elizabeth Lewis Daniell’s path to becoming CFO of Wexer has been one of ambition, hard work, and a passion for business. From early beginnings her first taste of leadership came at a juice bar, where she managed stock and cash flow, and later as a children’s music teacher, where she learned to adapt her communication style, both skills that would prove invaluable in her finance career.
She began her formal career with a Bachelor of Commerce and Chartered Accountant qualification, working as an auditor. Elizabeth soon realised that a career in a professional services firm wasn’t for her. She loved the exposure to different companies, but viewing business from the sidelines didn’t inspire her. She saw that finance wasn’t just about balancing numbers – it was a powerful tool for unlocking business potential, driving growth, and shaping strategy.
Elizabeth gained hands-on experience in finance leadership at Voyager Internet, where she grew from a junior role to joining the executive team at just 23 years old. When her then CFO was promoted to General Manager, leaving a gap in leadership, rather than waiting to be chosen, Elizabeth put her hand up and asked for the opportunity to step up. Leading due diligence on acquisitions, restructuring teams, and making key financial decisions, she proved her ability to drive impactful change, first as Finance Manager and then as CFO of Voyager.
Now, as CFO of Wexer, a company revolutionising digital fitness solutions, she is leading the financial direction of a business that’s not just growing, but making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Balancing Career Ambition with Perspective
Leading at the executive level comes with high pressure and responsibility, but Elizabeth approaches this with intention. Carving out downtime, switching off emails in the evening, prioritising fitness, or simply taking a walk.
“Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it signals that it’s time to perform,” she says. “But it’s important to differentiate between necessary pressure and unnecessary overwhelm.”
She also emphasises the importance of teamwork and leveraging strengths. A key turning point in her career was learning that leadership isn’t about fixing every personal weakness, but playing to your strengths and surrounding yourself with the right team who bring their own strengths.
Elizabeth attributes some of her success to a fundamental mindset: putting yourself forward. She recalls reading Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, which introduced her to the “tiara effect” the idea that many women believe if they work hard enough, they’ll be noticed and rewarded. But in reality, you have to ask for what you want.
“No one is going to tap you on the shoulder and hand you an opportunity. You have to put your hand up, challenge yourself, and be willing to take the risk.”
Recognising that leadership can be isolating, Elizabeth has dedicated herself to building strong communities. As Deputy Chair of the Chartered Accountants Senior Finance Leaders special interest group, she unites CFOs and other leaders for mentorship, learning, and camaraderie essential to navigating the challenges of executive roles. Now leading Wexer, a global business, she has joined the B:HIVE to build an inspiring workplace and foster coworker relationships for her New Zealand team.
For women in leadership or those aspiring to it, Elizabeth’s message is clear: Own your expertise, spot opportunities, advocate for yourself, and recognise that your voice, ideas, and leadership can make a fundamental difference to the success of your business.
At B:HIVE we celebrate leaders like Elizabeth who push boundaries, challenge expectations, and inspire the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose.