Nuwanthie Samarakone

About Me

“Kia ora koutou, I’m a global business founder, a company director, a former ballet dancer, a lover of nature and I’m passionate about fostering young talent in our communities. I stand for values-based impact that creates better lives. The New Zealand I love celebrates diversity and inclusion, respects our heritage and our unique environment and is proud of its green credentials. As a former ballet dancer, I understand and appreciate firsthand high-performance sport and development and the opportunities we have to develop and enhance sport and performance in Aotearoa. I am an experienced international business executive and an award-winning emerging company director. In 2022 I was awarded the inaugural Ethnic Governance Award, endorsed by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities. In 2021 I was a finalist for the Emerging Governance leader award by Governance New Zealand, recognized as a 40 Under 40 business leader by the University of Auckland and recipient of the Emerging company director to make an impact in the Public sector by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and the Superdiversity Institute Aotearoa. Around the board table, I bring youth, energy and passion and a lens into other ethnic communities. My key functional strengths are People and Culture, Marketing & Innovation, Compliance and Risk and Sustainability. I wish to contribute to the wellbeing of people and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand by being a part of the korero and in governance to enrich and inspire play, active and recreation. https://www.nuwanthie.com/”