Mandy Armstrong

Background

About Mandy Armstrong

Thinking outside the box applies as much to how I work, as to what I seek to achieve. As a result, I have developed a depth of experience and perspectives through a range of corporate work, personal business ventures, and community engagements. I have operated in a variety of cultural contexts for sectors including agribusiness, food, renewable energy, water storage, building systems, education, indigenous development, adventure tourism and technology development. Recently this experience delivered impact for a large agribusiness company in developing strategy leading to new investments and partnerships; identifying pipeline opportunities for a digital design company; and facilitating strategic partner and programme opportunities for a not-for-profit leadership trust. My passion is in making an enduring difference, by integrating business, science and people, to identify new opportunities and deliver innovative solutions with a strong emphasis on sustainability and circularity. Getting results has used my skills to think strategically, translate complexity, build relationships, leverage networks and technical knowledge, and seek diversity of perspectives and inputs. Recent Achievements Business transformation: Facilitated delivery of two significant Land Use Investments in horticulture and Manuka plantations, by managing option assessment, business case delivery, stakeholder relationships, and post-approval execution. Along with KPMG, designed a Business Performance Tool for Not-for-Profits, to address the strategic requirement for increased collaboration in the primary sector. Innovation Delivery: Led the technical commercialisation of NZ's first export-certified Deer Milk Powder, by applying R+D knowledge, prototype design, and supply chain relationships to support sales agreements, and success in the NZ Food Awards 2018. Strategy Development: delivered Corporate Strategies for Land Use Change; Forestry; and Horticulture and Crops to provide investment pathways for delivering significant sustainable value and resilient business performance. Partnership Management: Established strategic partnerships, with Commercial and Research stakeholders to achieve mutual sustainable commercial and non-financial benefits in agribusiness & IP development in dairy, & plant products, Co-ordinated a team designing and delivering a new leadership programme for Māori Women in the primary sector Business Improvement: Delivered investment protocols for identifying, assessing and implementing new opportunities and commercial delivery models for large land owners.