Sarah is an economic development and relationship expert with over 20 years of experience working across New Zealand Aotearoa’s arts, international education, trade, business, regional development, and Māori economy sectors.
With multidisciplinary skills across communication, policy and programme development, Sarah has experience leading creative, inclusive, and impactful initiatives emphasizing people, legacies, and inter-generational futures.
A dual citizen of Canada and Aotearoa, Sarah grew up in Cornwall, Ontario and attended Trent University, completing a B.A. in History and Political Science, followed by a post-graduate certificate in International Business from Sheridan College.
In Aotearoa, Sarah completed a Master of International Studies (Credit) from Otago University and post-graduate diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Victoria (Wellington).
She previously worked within and across Aotearoa’s externally facing agencies including Manapou ki te Ao | Education New Zealand and with local government agencies and economic development departments. Her most recent role was with the Ministry of Māori Development, Te Puni Kōkiri, as a Principal Analyst, Economic Policy. In this role, Sarah helped to shape Māori business supports and was part of international delegations in support of Aotearoa’s Indigenous trade and relationships.
Sarah returned to Canada in March 2024 joined the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation in March 2024 where she developed strong outcomes for Indigenous prosperity with partners like OFNEDA. In late 2025, Sarah joined the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, in her role as team lead in the Partnerships and Consultations team, Sarah is leading discussions on the Heritage Framework Transformation with a commitment to finding better ways for First Nation cultural heritage to be protected with the ability for development to proceed in consultation with communities.
Sarah is always keen to connect, better understand your ambitions and work in collaboration, so more can be achieved, together.