A Voice Worth Hearing

Who is Sandy Burgham?
Sandy is an executive coach/brand strategist/writer/speaker. Her 30 year career includes roles as Managing Partner for Mojopartners, Consultant for Beaufort Management Consultants in London, Founding Director of The Providence Report social insights research company, Director of Barkers Men’s Clothing and Max Fashions, the latter where she was Acting CEO, Marketing Director and a founder of the Max Foundation for NZ Women. She is recognized as one of the NZ communications industry's most senior representatives and has frequently judged industry awards. Sandy has provided social commentary to the wider public via news, columns, public speaking and latterly her blog the wtfproject.com. A half Japanese New Zealander, she is married with two children and lives between Auckland and Great Barrier Island.
 “My working life (the word ‘career’ seems so dated) has been in distinct phases.
Phase One: Advertising; from office junior at 18 to Managing Partner at 33.
Phase Two: The social insights researching and writing years.
Phase Three: The board positions and retail years in my 40’s. I was the Marketing Director and on the board of Max and also Barkers for a number of years.
Phase Four: I have just started Phase Four which will feature Exec Coaching and Writing amongst other things.”
 
Where did you grown up?
Pakuranga, Auckland. I thought it was great and that everyone wanted to live there. In the 60’s, new suburbs like this were all very “now”!
What did your parents do?
After years of being a housewife, Mum was starting to find her feet as a Japanese teacher before she died way too early when she was 56 years and I was 18. After retiring from the army, Dad became a toll-booth operator on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. They sought ex-military personnel for values like dependability and stability. Dad said it was a stress-free job he quite enjoyed. I remember thinking it was quite glamorous!