About

How I got here

I began my career as a lawyer before spending a decade as a professional mediator, helping people navigate conflict, disputes and hard conversations.  

I then spent fifteen years in chief executive and governance roles, including as Chief Executive of Local Government New Zealand, Engineering New Zealand and the Broadcasting Standards Authority. While the roles changed, much the work remained remarkably consistent: bringing people together around difficult issues, navigating competing priorities, shaping strategy, building alignment and helping organisations move forward.  Those years also gave me insights on what’s needed to really shift the dial: and how you can build momentum to turn vision into reality. 

I continue to serve on boards so I understand, not only the dynamics between people, but also the organisational, governance, legal and political realities that often sit beneath difficult situations. 

What I bring

What distinguishes my practice is the deep experience I bring from outside the mediation room.  

Over the decades, I have worked closely with central and local government, lawyers, regulators, boards, professional leaders, media organisations and communities – often in environments where there were competing interests, public scrutiny and no straightforward answers. 

The issues I work with are rarely just about the problem on the table. They often involve relationships, diverse interests, organisational pressures, governance considerations, legal risk, reputation and uncertainty. My experience allows me to work comfortably across all these dimensions. 

I bring a calm, grounded and pragmatic approach, creating the conditions for honest discussion without increasing the temperature in the room. 

Credentials

  • Harvard Law School Mediation Intensive | 2025

  • Master of Business Studies (endorsed in Dispute Resolution), Massey University

  • Bachelor of Laws, Victoria University of Wellington

  • Accredited Mediator and Member, Resolution Institute

  • Member, Institute of Directors New Zealand

  • Member, Global Women (by invitation)

  • Honorary Fellow, Engineering New Zealand | 2021

  • Finalist, Women of Influence Awards – Board and Management | 2018

  • Institute of Directors – Company Directors Course

  • Advanced Leadership Programme – Leadership Development Centre

  • Previous memberships include Associate, Arbitrators and Mediators Association; Advanced Mediator (LEADR NZ); and holder of a New Zealand Law Society Practising Certificate.