Sandy Graham has dedicated almost 20 years of her career to local government, but a ‘failed personality test’ almost cost her an early leadership role.
How do you fail a personality test? Sandy is, by her own admission, a risk taker, which was not necessarily seen as a positive attribute for someone stepping into a leadership role in council at the time.
“I had to have a special interview about the outcome of my personality test before they would appoint me. It was very funny.”
Dunedin City Council ultimately decided the risk was worth it. Sandy’s first role at Dunedin was as Webmaster in 2007. She later moved through various leadership roles before taking on the role of CEO in 2020.
While 2007 marked the official start of her local government career, Sandy says her first ever job was also a council position. Following an enforced break from university, Sandy got a job on a council roadworks crew as part of a chip sealing gang, the first woman to be appointed to the role.
She eventually went back to tertiary study and completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Otago, followed by a Master of Library and Information Science at Victoria University of Wellington.
Purpose and epiphanies
Sandy describes joining local government as an “epiphany”.
“I adored it from the very start. I absolutely loved it. The immediacy of the difference you make for your community—that’s what struck me straight away,” she says. “You see it every day. The roads, the water, the infrastructure, the spaces people live their lives in. It really matters.”
That sense of purpose has stayed with her throughout her career, along with a deep appreciation for the people she works with.
“The staff are incredible,” she says. “The people in local government are extraordinary. They care deeply about what they do, and about their communities.”
Sandy notes that while she was driven to move up through the organisation, the opportunities she was given at Dunedin City Council didn’t come out of nowhere.
“I was supported by very good senior managers who helped to grow my career quite deliberately, which was really amazing.”
Making an impact
Reflecting on her time at Dunedin City Council, Sandy is proud of many achievements, but one stands out.
“The thing I’m proudest of is the work we’ve done on our Māori strategic framework, Te Taki Haruru,” she says.
Developed in partnership with mana whenua, the framework has helped guide the organisation toward a more meaningful and authentic relationship with Te Tiriti, and embed that thinking into everyday practice.
“It’s become part of who we are,” Sandy says. “It’s not just a document—it’s part of our DNA now.”
The journey hasn’t always been easy, particularly in a complex and shifting environment, but it’s one Sandy feels deeply committed to.
“It’s been challenging and uplifting at the same time,” she reflects. “But it’s absolutely the right thing to do.”
Call us cupid
At Taituarā, we hope all our members’ careers are improved through their connection with us, but Sandy’s experience takes this to another level.
In 2013, Sandy was awarded an international manager exchange through Taituarā, travelling to the US for several weeks. What followed was an experience she describes as “life-changing.”
In a spirit of saying yes and embracing every opportunity, Sandy found herself in a number of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including attending an event with all 5 living US Presidents and their wives, and most importantly, meeting Liz, a Governance Manager at the City of University Park in Texas.
The pair hit it off during the exchange and stayed in touch when Sandy returned home. Liz later visited Dunedin and moved over a year later, and the two married and started their life together.
Sandy credits Taituarā directly with this life-changing event.
“It genuinely shaped my life,” she says. “Not just my career, but everything.”
Another perspective
Sandy’s bold and unapologetically real leadership style may have gotten her into trouble from time to time, particularly in her role as Chief Executive, where she’s been “reasonably controversial”, but those same qualities have helped make her an effective and impactful leader.
Recently, an anonymous nomination for Sandy came in during Dunedin City Council’s annual staff awards. The citation gives another perspective to the bold risk taker, highlighting the warmth and steady support Sandy has offered during tough times.
“I have observed Sandy’s strength, kindness, and very appropriate and clear guidance and felt it filter down. I have experienced this personally, and her actions allowed me to find my footing, gain trust and move forward.”
With Sandy’s contract coming up in October, the role of Chief Executive has been advertised. We can’t predict what’s next for Sandy Graham, but whatever it is, she’s sure to make an impact, and we’re bound to hear about it.
