Cat works at the intersection of leadership and strategy. She is an experienced consultant known for giving clear, considered advice on governance, strategy, and public policy issues, and for advising senior executives and Ministers on how to solve problems and improve their performance. 

Cat has held a variety of senior positions in both the private and public sectors in New Zealand and overseas. She thrives on being part of teams solving complex organisational problems, which she attacks using various proven approaches and frameworks

In all her professional roles, Cat has managed complex issues that cut across multiple sectors. She has extensive experience with strategic planning and coordination across government and stakeholder groups.  

Cat began her career at the New Zealand Treasury and then amassed valuable experience in demanding roles overseas. She recently returned to New Zealand, joining MartinJenkins in 2022 as part of our Tāmaki Makaurau team. 

Her past roles include Global Head of Leadership at the niche innovation consulting firm OneLeap (in its New York office), Manager at Monitor Deloitte (in Washington DC), Senior Advisor to the Executive Director at the World Bank, and Economic Advisor to two successive New Zealand Deputy Prime Ministers.  

Cat gives her time as a mentor and coach to various programmes, including with Microloan Foundation and Victoria University. She has previously been involved in interviewing applicants for Princeton as part of the university’s Alumni Schools Committee and Graduate Alumni Committee in Washington DC, and she was also a Panel Judge for the Ian Axford Fellowship in Public Policy. 

Examples of Cat’s work

• Organisational design and governance reform – At the World Bank, Cat managed work to support the most significant reform of the institution in over 25 years. She directly advised its Global Vice Presidents on new organisational structures and new approaches to performance management.  

• Strategic planning and performance management – Cat led a consulting team to design a 10-year national vision for the Kingdom of Jordan, “Jordan 2025”. This involved coordinating multiple agencies and officials across government and liaising closely with the Chief of Staff to the King. It also included leading a team to design and implement a Delivery Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office modelled on the Sir Michael Barber approach from the UK. 

• Leadership development programmes and coaching – As Global Head of Leadership at OneLeap, Cat designed and facilitated experiential programmes for executives and high-net-wealth next-generation clients. Before COVID-19 this included designing and facilitating a one-week residential course at Oxford University with guest entrepreneurs from North America and Europe. During the pandemic Cat adapted the programme and ran it virtually, and she continues to be involved with the now-expanded programme, delivering it with contributors such as Stanford University. 

Cat’s qualifications

Cat has a Masters in Public Policy from Princeton University, and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours and a BA in Political Science from Canterbury University.  

Cat also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from the Australia New Zealand School of Government, and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, having been trained through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching in the US.