At 53, having had no formal education in the true history of Aotearoa, I embarked on a journey to learn more. That journey will be lifelong but in a short time I have become an advocate of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) and despite my battle to learn French at school, I have developed a love of learning te reo Māori. I recognise as Ngāti Pākehā that it is a privilege to learn te reo Māori and am thrilled it is now compulsory in our schools. NSPR striving to become B Corp Certified (Dec 2022) was a natural decision given our drive to be a good Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner.

I am a huge supporter of wāhine and I love nothing more than to see them develop and reach their potential. It has been a priority of mine since 2017 to ensure there was a succession plan for NSPR, where other wāhine would benefit. That plan is well and truly underway and Kate Grant (nee Barron) has been a director since 2018 and Rebecca Reid will become one in April 2023. I am heavily invested in the strategic side of the business, a major shareholder and am extremely excited about NSPR’s future.

I understand the true value of doing business with people over a long period of time and the importance of developing strong partnerships. This all starts with whanaungatanga – forming connections with people.

My greatest strength is building relationships. I understand the true value of doing business with people over a long period of time and the importance of developing strong partnerships. PR has taught me the ability to multi-task, be organised and ensure all of the facts and details are accounted for, to remain calm in pressured situations but most importantly, to listen.

With a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting from Otago University I have strong financial and analytical skills and an appreciation for Speights!

Prior to starting my PR business, I was responsible for all internal and external communications at House of Travel for almost five years and earlier at Westpac where I looked after all strategic PR and establishing a profile in the New Zealand market for the chief executive at the time, Ann Sherry.
In all of my roles there has been a significant amount of risk management advice and strategy required.

Before my switch to communications I held several senior roles in various sectors including sport and recreation, not-for-profit and retail. I also taught accounting, economics and maths at secondary school level and practised accountancy for several years while completing my degree part-time.

I have a Diploma of Secondary School Teaching and am an Associate of the New Zealand Speech Board, qualified to teach public speaking, communication, speech and drama. I was appointed to the board of the Vodafone Warriors in February 2016 and resigned in accordance with the sale of the club in May 2018.