Secrets of Successful Cross-Sectoral Collaborations Seen Through the Project Management Lens

Note: This is an in-person only event at Victoria University of Wellington 139 Vivian Street, Te Aro Campus

About this event:

Many challenges faced by modern society require extensive partnerships and collaboration of organisations, teams and individuals from multiple disciplines and sectors. Building skills for working across sectors is not a luxury – it is a necessity.

In this talk, Dr Sandra Mandic will introduce a framework for planning and managing cross-sector collaborations outlined in her recently published book “Compass Guide: Secrets of Successful Cross-Sector Collaborations”. She will focus on discussing project and programme management aspects of the framework, sharing her insights from initiating and leading the BEATS Research Programme in 2013-2023 – a world-class example of a successful cross-sector collaboration.

Attendees will have opportunity to reflect on their own experiences with cross-sectoral work and share their insights.

About the Presenter:

Dr Sandra Mandic, PhD, PMP is a transformational leader, innovator and award-winning researcher and author. Sandra’s personal and professional journey spans nine cities across five countries and three continents – including Europe, Canada, United States and New Zealand. She speaks four languages and has experience of working in academia, government and business. Sandra is the founder and the director of the research consultancy AGILE Research Ltd. and the creator of the Compass Guide Research Training resources (six Compass Guide books and over dozen courses) which link research and project management. She is recipient of the New Zealand Academic Achievement in Project Management Award (finalist in 2024 and winner in 2025) from PMINZ for two of her books.

Sandra is also a Research Associate at Auckland University of Technology, Team Leader Transport Strategy at Wellington City Council and was the founder and principal investigator on the award-winning BEATS Research Programme (2013-2023).

PDU's Available:

• PDU's Available: 1.5

• Course Identifier: PMINZWTGN21102026

• PDU Claim Code: 0129KRONKX

This event is hosted by the PMINZ Wellington Branch and kindly sponsored by Victoria University of Wellington - Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.