Sarah McCarthy CMHRNZ

Please walk us through the journey that led you into your current role. 

Prior to working in my current role based in Healthcare, I worked within the fire and security sector and recruitment industry in HR-focused roles. After the birth of my first child, I returned to study at the University of Otago, which ultimately led me into the healthcare sector and my current organisation. 

I have worked in Human Resources within our organisation for eight years (and been within the organisation for nearly 10). During this time, I returned to university and completed a Graduate Diploma endorsed in Human Resources, while also investing heavily in ongoing professional development and growing my practical experience across both HR and operations management. 

In 2024, I transitioned from a management role into the position of Chief Operating Officer, encompassing HR Business Management responsibilities. This was a significant but very exciting step in my career. My role now focuses on providing executive leadership across operations and human resources, while contributing to organisational strategy, workforce development, and the continued success and sustainability of our business.

What is the best part of your job? 

The diversity of my role is definitely the best part. I am fortunate to work across both Human Resources leadership and operational leadership within our organisation, which means no two days are ever the same — and I thrive in that environment. 

One day I could be working on organisational strategy or policy development in Dunedin, the next I could be travelling to Queenstown to interview new staff, attending a Clinical Lead meeting, or onboarding new team members in Invercargill. 

What I value most is the opportunity to build genuine relationships with people across the organisation. Our people are incredible, and it is a privilege to walk alongside them throughout their journey with us — whether they are just starting out in the mental health sector or are experienced professionals further along in their careers. 

I also value being able to bridge the gap between leadership and frontline teams, understanding both the strategic direction of the organisation and the real work happening day to day within our communities.

What is a career highlight that stands out for you? 

One of the highlights of my career has been leading the implementation of our Rautaki Ahurea | Cultural Strategy alongside our Kaitohutohu Ahurea | Cultural Advisor. 

This work was incredibly meaningful to me, particularly following my own learning journey at university around Te Ao Māori values and cultural safety and responsiveness within our workplace. It became clear to me that while our organisation had good intentions, we needed to take a more authentic and sustainable approach to embedding cultural safety into both our workforce and service delivery. 

The work involved consultation, collaboration with Māori experts, and organisation-wide implementation. A significant part of this journey was recognising that I was not the right person to lead the cultural content itself, but rather to facilitate the expertise, relationships, and organisational support needed to create something meaningful and lasting. 

Since then, we have embedded this work into everyday organisational practice through learning initiatives, recruitment and onboarding changes, and ongoing cultural development opportunities for staff. Most importantly, it has helped create safer and more meaningful experiences for both our employees and the communities we serve.

What does becoming a Chartered Member mean to you personally?   

Becoming a Chartered Member has been a really meaningful milestone for me personally and professionally. The process gave me the opportunity to reflect on my career journey, the work I have contributed to, and where I want to continue growing in the future. 

It was rewarding to step back and recognise how much I have developed over time. To now be able to confidently say that I can “walk the walk” both for myself and for my organisation is something I am incredibly proud of.

What pushed you towards pursuing Chartered Membership?   

For me, pursuing Chartered Membership was about having my work and career independently recognised and validated. It can be very easy to become caught up in the day-to-day operational aspects of leadership and not always recognise your own professional growth. 

Chartering felt like the natural next step in my development. 

I will also honestly acknowledge that I sat on my application for quite some time, often thinking, “I just need a little more experience first.” Looking back now, I would encourage others who are considering it to back themselves and apply if they feel ready. 

The HRNZ network has also been an incredible professional community to be part of, particularly through the professional development opportunities and connections within the HR profession. 

Now that you are a Chartered Member, what do you see as being the next steps for your career? 

I am looking forward to continuing to grow within my leadership role while further developing my strategic leadership and governance experience. 

I am passionate about using my Human Resources background to build sustainable, engaged, and capable workforces. I strongly believe leaders who understand both business strategy and people strategy bring enormous value to organisations. 

Being able to bridge organisational strategy with workforce planning, while also influencing leaders to recognise the importance of investing in people, is something I see as both a strength and an area I want to continue developing further throughout my career.