Sarah Neilson

About Me

“Kia ora Currently a Board member of an intermediate school, I have had previous Governance and Chairperson experience with Wellington Hockey Association including hiring and managing CEO performance. In my day job, as the Chief People Officer at RNZ, and previously at Meridian Energy, I’m involved in regular Governance meetings, both full Board sessions and leadership, remuneration and H&S subcommittees. The best Governance teams I’ve been part of are laser focused on the vision and strategy of the organisation while supporting management to achieve outcomes. This approach fits with my natural style of setting direction, giving autonomy, and inspiring collaboration, making me a great candidate for this Directorship. I’m an experienced Senior Executive with over twenty years’ experience across international, commercial and government organisations, I support both Boards and Executive teams to develop well formulated strategies with people and cultural excellence at their core. I know from my professional career, as well as my time on Boards, how critical an inclusive and constructive culture is to delivering high performance. I have a strong track record of enhancing cultures and believe every organisation needs continue to adapt its culture to deliver their vision and strategy. I enjoy making difficult change happen, shifting mindsets and influencing leadership teams to act - going to the heart of the matter is a key skill of mine and necessity as a director. I have strong commercial acumen, having run a large sales force and revenue stream at Meridian Energy, and understand the complexities of professional bodies and Trusts. I’m quite an all-rounder and believe I’d be an asset to Governance team and organisation in Aotearoa. I believe in good governance to help strengthen organisations and New Zealand as a whole and I would relish the opportunity to be of service to your organisation, Nga mihi, Sarah”