Laura Menzies

About Me

“I am a senior sport and public‑sector leader with over 25 years’ experience across sport, events, and local and national government in Aotearoa and the UK. My leadership is grounded in a belief that strong, community‑focused systems — underpinned by good governance — create lasting impact for people and places. Governance has been an important part of my career. I have served on boards and partnered closely with boards to shape strategy, navigate organisational change, strengthen safeguarding and wellbeing practices, and advance equity‑focused initiatives. I am particularly motivated by governance environments that value courage, thoughtful challenge, and long‑term thinking over short‑term gain. At the board table, I bring a blend of funding insight, people‑centred leadership, and cross‑sector perspective. I value evidence‑based decision‑making, constructive debate, and inclusive processes that ensure diverse voices are heard and meaningfully reflected in outcomes. Through the Women in Sports Governance programme, I am committed to contributing to boards that are future‑focused, values‑driven, and ambitious in growing sport and recreation in ways that are equitable and sustainable.”