Nicola Sutton

Nicola Sutton has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning several organizations and roles. Nicola currently serves as the Head of Community Strategy and Policy at Selwyn District Council, where they provide policy advice and contributes to reports and strategies. Prior to this role, they worked as a Community Policy Advisor at the same council, undertaking research, engaging with the community, and supporting the Council's community services.

Before joining Selwyn District Council, Nicola worked at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, where they held various managerial positions. As the Manager RoVE, they were responsible for overseeing the organization's operations for a year. Nicola also served as the Manager, Policy and International, contributing to policy development and managing international relations.

Their experience in the non-profit sector includes serving as the Chief Executive of English Language Partners New Zealand, a role that required their to provide strategic leadership, manage operations, and engage with stakeholders. Before becoming the Chief Executive, they held the position of Deputy Chief Executive and Operations Manager at the same organization.

Additionally, Nicola has held roles at ESOL Home Tutors Christchurch Inc as a Programme Coordinator and Literacy Teacher, at Mairehau Law Centre as a Finance staff, and at Foundation Services Ltd as an SCOPE Project Manager.

Their earliest work experience was at ESOL Home Tutors (later renamed English Language Partners), where they served as a Financial Manager, Fundraiser, Governance Trainer, and Resource Librarian. In this role, they managed finances, wrote funding applications, trained governing bodies, and maintained teaching resources.

Overall, Nicola Sutton's work experience showcases their expertise in strategic leadership, policy development, community engagement, and operational management within the public and non-profit sectors.

Nicola Sutton's education history starts in 2002 when they attended Unitec | Te Pūkenga. Nicola completed a Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management between 2002 and 2005, focusing on the field of Not-for-Profit Management.

Afterwards, in 2011, Nicola enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington, where they pursued a Masters of Commerce (in Management) with a distinction. Nicola completed this degree in 2013 and their master's thesis topic was "Partnerships in the not-for-profit sector."

Later, in 2018, Nicola returned to Victoria University of Wellington to further their education. Nicola completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy in 2019. The field of study for this certificate is not specified.