Steph O’Sullivan has returned to her Waikato roots with confirmation this week she will be Waipā’s new chief executive from late August.
O’Sullivan was born and brought up in Tokoroa where her grandfather Bernie O’Sullivan was deputy mayor and councillor on the then borough council.
Steph O’Sullivan
In recent times, she has been chief executive at Whakatāne District Council leading the organisation through the Whakaari (White Island) eruption response.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan said the recruitment process had been comprehensive. There were 84 applicants for the job left vacant by the resignation of long-standing chief executive Garry Dyet.
The LinkedIn response to her appointment showed how well respected O’Sullivan is with congratulations across the sector, including from regional council chair Pamela Storey, Hamilton deputy mayor Angela O’Leary, Waikato mayor Jacqui Church and chief executive Gavin Ion.
The job ahead of O’Sullivan is expected to be challenging with residents’ survey numbers at an all-time low and ebbing confidence thanks to the charade that was Cambridge Connections.
O’Sullivan attended Forest View High School in Tokoroa and Massey University where she graduated with an honours double major in Planning and Development Studies.
She began her management career as Environment group manager at Ruakawa Charitable Trust in Tokoroa and as chief executive for Ngāti Ranginui Iwi Society. Before her five and a half year stint at Whakatāne, O’Sullivan was with the government’s Provincial Growth Fund based in Bay of Plenty.
She has also held governance roles in the Waikato River Authority, Waikato River Trails Trust, Tauranga People’s Project and chaired the advisory board for Waikato University’s High Performance Centre in Mount Maunganui.
“My background has given me valuable insight into the challenges, opportunities and partnership potential between local and central government, iwi, the private sector and the community,” O’Sullivan was quoted as saying on Whakatāne District Council’s website.
Monday May 6, 1pm
Waipā Media Release
An experienced local government professional with a demonstrable track record has today been named as Waipā District Council’s next chief executive.
Steph O’Sullivan, who has been the chief executive at Whakatāne District Council for the past five-and-a-half-years, will take up the position at the helm of the organisation in late August, following the departure of Garry Dyet who announced his intention to retire in December last year.
Mayor Susan O’Regan said O’Sullivan was chosen after a comprehensive recruitment process, held over two months. There had been 84 applicants for the role and the rigorous selection process meant the final candidates were subject to four interview rounds, including one with the full council.
O’Sullivan was a definite stand-out from the pool of high-calibre applicants and the council was unanimous in her appointment, O’Regan said.
“Steph is a vision and values driven professional who puts people at the heart of everything she does. Her passion lies in wanting all parties to succeed in building community wealth, not just organisational wealth,” she said. “She is a strong leader with a proven track record and is highly respected within the local government sector.”
O’Sullivan said she was very honoured to accept the role. It was an exciting challenge that would see her return to her Waikato roots, she said.
Susan O’Regan
“I’m a proud daughter of South Waikato farming stock and I look forward to being closer to family and friends here in the Waikato,” she said.
O’Sullivan said she had deep respect for Dyet, who was a renowned and strategic leader in local government.
“I was inspired to apply for the role because of the Waipā brand, the strategic focus of the council, and of course the beautiful part of the world that it is!”
O’Sullivan’s five-year contract will begin on Monday, August 26.
Steph O’Sullivan
