Central Otago District Council Chief Executive, Sanchia Jacobs, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by the NZ Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM).

The Skills Organisation Melbourne Business School Leadership Scholarship will see Sanchia take part in Melbourne Business School’s most senior, globally recognised leadership programme, Leading for Strategic Success.

SOLGM’s Workforce Leadership Manager, Jenny Spencer, said that Sanchia demonstrates contemporary thinking on how the local government sector needs to lead and change to support and enable their communities.

“Sanchia has a strong focus on technology and the role it can play to improve people’s lives. She will use the Scholarship to increase her own capacity and capability and is the perfect example of someone who thinks globally and acts locally. 

SOLGM’s Chief Executive, Karen Thomas, said that Sanchia is an outstanding candidate for the Scholarship.

“Sanchia is a high potential leader who will really benefit from this opportunity. She is an active networker and has a clear vision for herself, her council, and the local government sector as a whole.

“At a time when local government professionals are working tirelessly to provide services and support to their communities, it is great to be able to announce this news”.

SOLGM’s annual Gala Dinner event was cancelled due to COVID-19, and so award recipients were announced online this year.