The experienced sports leader took up the job in November 2021 after five years as Head of Women’s Rugby for World Rugby.
Katie says her experience at Te Herenga Waka was an invaluable stepping-stone to an “incredible career”.
“When I look back at the things I did from an academic perspective, I really do value the things I learned back there, the people I met. University was an important part of my life. It was a launchpad, I was in the right place at the right time to start a really fascinating and rewarding career,” she says.
Katie, who represented New Zealand in synchronised swimming, winning a bronze at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, completed a Master in Sport and Leisure Studies, which included a thesis on the growth in Masters Swimming—competitive swimming competitions for those aged 20 and above. She had previously competed in the 1984 Olympics in synchronised swimming, and names her Chef de Mission, the late Sir Ron Scott, as an inspiration to pursue it as a career.
It’s a time she remembers fondly.
“If you reflected on the people who went through that programme, and where they are and what they did in their careers, it’s amazing. It’s a group of people who were stimulated by the information that was put in front of us to think differently, but who also grew together in terms of learning and being challenged by some great professors.”
Among those to complete the course were Alistair Snell, who went on to become chief executive of Netball NZ and Steve Tew, who is a previous CEO of NZ Rugby.
“I was immersed in an environment with people who were trying to be the best they can be, and I saw the influence they had in terms of being the ambassadors, to drive other peoples’ participation. I really wanted to be a part of that.”
Since her study she has held roles at the New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, Sport NZ, and the New Zealand Academy of Sport, as well as at ACC, Wellington City Council, and Te Auaha—the New Zealand Institute of Creativity.
With such an impressive CV, Katie is often asked for career advice and remembers her father telling her: “Never close a door you might want to open at some stage,” which she took to heart. She also suggests creating your own stakeholder plan at an early age.
While completing her Master’s degree, she was approached by the Hillary Commission to work on a project on volunteer management.
“I had a summer job jacked up at the Petone Swimming Pool, sitting outside working on my Master’s thesis and getting a great suntan, then I had this offer to come in to a serious, grown-up’s job. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to do it. I wanted to have a career in sport, but I didn’t think it would be in government. Anyway, I took it and I think in hindsight it was absolutely the right thing to do. It opened doors.”
Katie counts receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Sport NZ for her work in high performance sport as a career highlight, along with being part of a Prime Minister’s Taskforce to investigate best practice for elite sport, which led to the establishment of the New Zealand Academy of Sport.
More recently she cites her time at the head of Women’s Rugby championing diversity, inclusion, and women’s roles both on and off the field, particularly in countries like India, Pakistan, and Iran where rugby is not as popular.
When she first started at World Rugby, 27 percent of rugby players globally were female but the organisation was governed by 30 men. By the end of her first year there were 17 women directors on the board.
“When I look back at my career and think about the stuff that is special, it’s been the ability to work with people and see them go on to do great things.”
With the Birmingham Commonwealth Games just days away, Katie’s role is to “steer the ship” and maintain relationships with sports bodies and organisations developing policies that impact across the Commonwealth.
A firm believer in the Commonwealth, her job is also to make sure the games are relevant to its 2.7 billion people, 60 per cent of whom are under the age of 30. This year, alongside the Commonwealth Games, the Global Esports Federation will be running a pilot computer games competition, with top-end competitors, who have nutritionists and coaches. New Zealand is among the 30 countries represented. There will be no violent games or prize money, only medals.
Katie is looking forward to full stadiums in Birmingham and to returning to New Zealand later this year for the International Women in Sport Conference, which takes place the day after the final for the Rugby Women’s World Cup in November.
“I think we will see some great rugby. I’m really looking forward to it.”