Nominee for New Zealander of the Year – 2019
USA Government International Visiting Leadership Program Scholar – 2019
Winner Woman of Influence – Diversity Category 2018
Sarah Lang is a values’ driven leader, who is passionate about using her skills, networks and knowledge to contribute to structural change for a better New Zealand. A senior executive with over 25 years’ experience in central and local government, private sector and not-for-profit management, research, strategy and policy development, Sarah’s legacies are exemplary.
Currently Business Director – Government Advisory and Strategic Relationships at Beca, Sarah is responsible for elevating and extending the organisation’s relationships with Central Government agencies, and key stakeholders.
Prior to joining Beca in 2021, Sarah was the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Infrastructure NZ, New Zealand’s peak infrastructure body, where she was responsible for strategic partnerships, business development activities and member engagement.
The founder of the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN) in NZ, and an advocate for the advancement of women in the infrastructure sector, Sarah has led the growth of the WIN network to over 2000 members, spread over seven chapters nationwide, and was awarded the 2018 Women of Influence Diversity Award and was a nominee for the 2019 New Zealander of the Year Award.
Sarah is well connected and highly respected in commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors, and also within Māori communities, having worked for and with a number of iwi authorities. Through her various government and not for profit roles, along with her own consulting company, Lang Consulting Ltd, Sarah has a proven track record in delivering transformational, long lasting results across a raft of industries. Her ability to leverage from her well established, senior and cross-cultural networks, combined with her diplomatic leadership and engagement skills, results in enduring positive outcomes for all partners and stakeholders.
Sarah is a strategic and innovative thinker. She is an expert facilitator, a collaborative communicator and an empowering leader who is passionate about contributing to NZ Inc and to global understanding. A recipient of an International Visiting Leadership Program scholarship from the USA government in 2019, a former Rotary Youth Scholarship Winner (1990, Germany), and the leader of five international delegations for the infrastructure sector, Sarah is an advocate of thought leadership exchanges, and deepening cultural understanding between nations.
Sarah is a keen Great Walks tramper, an avid yet cautious mountain biker, a reliably inconsistent golfer and, during lockdown, developed a passion for knitting, which resulted in the creation of vast quantities of beanies. Sarah also enjoys international film festivals, travelling, yoga and is a keen foodie.
Sarah speaks fluent English and German, advanced French, beginner Japanese and Mandarin and is working on honing her Te Reo Māori language skills.
Sarah is married to Dr Bodo Lang, Associate Professor in Marketing, University of Auckland Business School, and has a 16-year-old daughter, Lilly.
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