Cara grew up in Ōtautahi, where she continues to live with her whānau. Her career has taken her from the financial sector in London to education and now strategic leadership, bringing together strong analytical thinking with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people and communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary), a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning), a Master’s degree in Contemporary Education, and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) through UC. As General Manager – Business Development and Transformation, Cara leads the Trust’s work to identify opportunities for growth, strengthen partnerships, support innovation and help turn strategy into action. She works across the organisation to design sustainable services, secure new opportunities and build the systems, structures and capability that enable kaimahi to deliver the best possible outcomes for whānau. She enjoys bringing people together, solving complex problems and finding practical ways to turn ambitious ideas into reality. Cara is passionate about achieving equitable outcomes for whānau, particularly tamariki, and values working in genuine partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. She enjoys spending time with whānau, travelling, exploring new places and is always keen to learn something new.
