Motueka Valley, Tasman, New Zealand
I help organisations and leaders move forward with clarity, perspective and momentum. My work sits at the intersection of governance, leadership, culture and performance. I work with boards, executives and teams navigating change through governance support, facilitation, team alignment and individual coaching. For more than 25 years, I have worked where people, performance and purpose meet. I have led organisations, rebuilt teams, supported cultural change and helped leaders navigate complexity and competing stakeholder priorities across commercial and community contexts. My background spans commercial operations, iwi governance, tourism, logistics, education and community development. I am known for bringing clarity, calm and directness with strong commercial acuity, cutting through noise to what actually matters. I am the Founder and Director of Leadership in Action, delivering executive coaching, facilitation, immersive leadership experiences and strategic offsites in New Zealand and internationally. Contact me to get started [email protected]
I founded the business to work at the intersection of leadership, culture, governance, and lived experience, supporting leaders to move from insight into sustained action. My work spans: • Immersive leadership expeditions, including 14-day Himalayan journeys focused on perspective, endurance, and personal leadership (featured in my YouTube content) • Executive and senior-leader coaching, including 360-degree feedback and leadership diagnostics • Leadership and governance facilitation for boards, executive teams, and purpose-led organisations • Public speaking and keynote delivery on leadership, culture, resilience, and systems change • Design and facilitation of strategic offsites, community leadership programmes, and cross-sector collaborations The work has evolved organically over time — from grassroots community leadership in Nepal to executive and board-level engagement in New Zealand and internationally — grounded in the belief that enduring leadership is built through consistency, reflection, and real-world application. Leadership in Action incorporates and builds on earlier work delivered under Second Base, including international leadership programmes and community-based initiatives.
Serving as an Independent Director on the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve Board, contributing to strategy, stakeholder relationships and governance for one of New Zealand’s iconic recreation destinations. Oversaw governance through a Treaty settlement transition from Department of Conservation stewardship toward ownership by mana whenua through Te Here-ā-Nuku Trust. Focused on balancing commercial outcomes with environmental stewardship and strong community connection.
As part of the Iwi Komiti, I work to strengthen alignment between the Reserve Board and the eight mana whenua iwi, hapū, whānau and marae connected to this whenua.
Oversaw governance of the iwi’s diverse commercial asset base, including fisheries quota, property holdings, and managed funds, ensuring stewardship aligned with Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō’s long-term economic and cultural objectives.
Oversaw SIPO-aligned (Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives) investment strategy, contributed to property and social impact investment decisions, and helped build iwi risk frameworks.
Designed and facilitated leadership programmes for The Icehouse Owner Manager Programme (OMP) and Owner Manager Exchange (OMX) through my consultancy, Leadership in Action. Developed and delivered tailored modules taking a holistic approach to personal and professional leadership, including purpose, essential skills and qualities, personal resilience, habits, communication, diverse leadership styles, and their impact on organisational culture. The work supported mindset shifts toward sustainable leadership that enables both personal growth and strong business outcomes.