top of page

Making a 
values based impact.

NuwanthieSamarakone_HR-47 (2).jpg

This is 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.

 

Giving back to our community can be big or small, but it all contributes to making an impact.

 

Knowing that what you do can make the lives of other people better and brighter is powerful and inspiring.  That’s where my journey started, and it’s got a long way to go.  I’m loving the ride!

Independent Director

ESG advocate Brand Strategy

Skills & Workforce Strategy 
Tikanga Māori advocate Startups 

Social Issues & Political Commentator 

Diversity & Inclusion    Fundraising 

Tech, Infrastructure & Health Innovation 

 Sustainability    

NuwanthieSamarakone_HR-64.jpg

Making an impact

In keeping with my commitment to values-based impact, my interests in the areas of work, governance and community cut across many facets. These include:

 

  • My first business ICE (Inspire, Create, Engage), a consultancy specialising in building talent pipelines for the future by designing, developing and delivering schemes for early careers talent.

  • A judge for the CIO 100 Awards and the Hi Tech Awards NZ – where we celebrate New Zealand’s most successful high-tech companies and highest achieving individuals. It is so humbling to meet world class kiwi’s making an impact for us all!

  • Governance:

    • An independent director and investor of Tourism Talent,  a tourism skills based business supporting Covid-19 impacted professionals.

    • As government and industry initiatives try to meet the challenges of building a modern, sustainable health system, the aged care sector often lacks the capacity, capability and the access to best practice models and skills to enable such reform to succeed. I am an independent director of Kalandra Education Group, that provides Health Care Assistant Training (NZQA approved) Aged Care, Dementia, Palliative, Mental Health and Addictions across APAC. 

    • Housing affordability and sustainable social building is a major challenge globally and yet an opportunity to make impact for our communities. I am an independent director of Kokiri Construction,  a consortium led by Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki with Downer and Hawkins, delivering social and residential developments at scale across Aotearoa.  

  • Community: 

    • The former Chair of Auckland ICT Graduate School for the University of Auckland & The University of Waikato.

    • A former trustee of Well Foundation, the charity supporting Waitemata & Waitakere DHB.

    • A former trustee for the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust. 

    • A trustee for the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

  • More recently a liberal, centre right candidate in the 2020 General Election with a deep understanding of how the social, political and business areas coexist.  
  • Awards & recognition:
    • Ethnic Governance leader 2022 - Winner
    • ​Emerging Governance leader 2021 - Finalist 
    • 40 Under 40 business leader 2021 - The University of Auckland
    • Emerging company director (Public sector) 2021 - The Ministry of Ethnic Communities and The Superdiversity Institute Aotearoa.
  • Coupled with all my work and governance portfolios, you will see me on The Panel on the AM Show (TV 3), the RNZ National Panel and on TodayFM regularly bringing my own diverse lens to current affairs. 
bottom of page