New Zealand
I am an experienced professional with more than 25 years of expertise in strategic leadership, relationship management, and project management across a range of industries. My career has been defined by my ability to drive positive change, manage complex projects, and deliver results that align with both organisational goals and broader environmental objectives. I thrive in dynamic environments where innovation, collaboration, and effective problem-solving are essential to success. I have developed a strong aptitude for building and nurturing relationships, both at the individual and organisational levels. This skill has been invaluable in fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders, navigating complex negotiations, and ensuring successful outcomes in cross-cultural and multi-sectoral environments. I am passionate about creating sustainable practices that not only help businesses reduce their environmental footprint but also enhance resilience, efficiency, and profitability. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, I work to ensure that sustainability is embedded into every aspect of an organisation's operations, from strategy development to day-to-day decision-making. My goal is to continue making a meaningful impact by helping organisations navigate change, seize new opportunities, and create a better future for all.
As Divisional Manager Trade Policy, Strategy and Systems at the Ministry for Primary Industries, I lead a team responsible for shaping New Zealand’s primary sector trade policy and strategy to support the Government’s trade and export growth goals. The role oversees development of high quality policy advice, input into FTA and WTO negotiations, implementation of trade agreements, and stewardship of key trade systems. Working collaboratively across NZ inc, the focus is on strengthening market access, aligning domestic systems with international rules, and future proofing New Zealand’s food and fibre exports in a dynamic global trading environment.
I am a Director at KPMG, leading sustainability and consulting engagements. My work supports businesses in being more resilient and successful by addressing sustainability risks and opportunities, helping them to ensure we live within planetary boundaries without undermining social foundations. This often means working through complex topics with senior leadership teams and boards, balancing the need for short-term initiatives without losing sight of the long-term.
AUT provides a contemporary education environment to create great graduates. I'm a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives and create opportunity. In this role, the advisory board provides strategic advice on the AUT Business School’s vision and direction.
Trade is the key means of supporting New Zealand's prosperity. The BNZBA’s mission is to drive the growth in bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, creating opportunities for our members, facilitating country and industry knowledge sharing, and helping create valuable business and personal networks. Following my role as Trade Commissioner, this is a way for me to support this mission.
I led a team of 10 that consulted and advised 125 of New Zealand's leading export businesses on their market entry and expansion in the UK and Ireland. This included advice on market strategy, sales and marketing, digital development, and sustainability. The work supported companies to realise their ambition for the UK and Irish markets across sectors - such as tech, agribusiness, manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer good. . During my time in the role I led the response from the New Zealand Government to support businesses through the complexities of Brexit, transformed the business operations to provide greater on the ground support during Covid, and supported the FTA through to establishing programmes to leverage the agreement.
In this role I led a team of 20 across four locations in Latin America to support New Zealand businesses enter and grow in the market. We worked with New Zealand companies to identify, plan, and act on their biggest opportunities for international growth. Through leading a transformation strategy, the team was focus was sharpened and the results for New Zealand companies increased 8-fold in 3 years.
Full-time Portuguese study.