Growing up in a Four Square, in a little rural town in Canterbury, New Zealand in the 1970s taught Connecting People’s founder and Director, Sandra James, about the power of human connections and community.
From a young age, Sandra’s experiences within her community showed her that small communities are capable of great things and that all transformative ideas have humble beginnings.
Sandra is highly regarded as an effective and efficient professional with proven expertise in community development and innovative community engagement, as well as extensive experience in project management.
Prior to establishing Connecting People, Sandra worked in local government for two decades specialising in community development and championing community-led approaches that create strong and vibrant communities.
Sandra also has extensive experience in Social Recovery following disasters.
Past roles include:
• Social Recovery Manager at Waimakariri District Council for 3.5 years – Lincoln University Evaluation
• New Zealand Red Cross Recovery Manager
• Canterbury Group Civil Defence and Emergency Management Recovery Manager
• Guest lecturer at Canterbury University and Massey University
• Response and Recovery planning for Christchurch City Council, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council, Hurunui District Council, Kaikoura District Council, Canterbury CDEM Group
She has been a trusted advisor to many other communities facing recovery situations.
• Christchurch City Council
• Canterbury CDEM Group
• Kaikoura District Council
• Hurunui District Council
• Dunedin City Council
• Hawkes Bay CDEM Group
• Wellington City Council
• Porirua City Council
• Taranaki CDEM Group
• Stewart Island Rakiura Community
• Queenstown District Council
Sandra has also co-authored a practical social recovery guide for anyone who is faced with leading in this area – Social Recovery 101
She has established relationships and networks locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in central and local government and NGO and community sectors.