Gayatri Fernando
Education
University of the Philippines
Master, Information Systems 2010-01-01 - 2015-01-01
Miriam College Foundation Inc.
Bachelor of Science, Psychology 1996-01-01 - 2000-01-01Work Experience
Stats NZ
Current
Stats NZ
Polaris Ventures Ltd. NZ
Current
Polaris Ventures Ltd. NZ
Tertiary Education Commission
2023-12-01 - 2024-06-01
Tertiary Education Commission
Stats NZ
2023-05-01 - 2024-02-01
Stats NZ
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
2022-06-01 - 2023-05-01
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
2021-07-01 - 2022-06-01
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
2021-03-01 - 2021-06-01
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children
ACC New Zealand
2020-07-01 - 2021-03-01
ACC New Zealand
Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)
2018-12-01 - 2019-08-01
Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)
Optimation Group
2018-04-01 - 2018-11-01
Optimation Group
Skills
Summary
If you’re leading something bold, complex, or beautifully uncharted—welcome. This is the terrain I’m built for. For 20+ years, I’ve worked across sectors and roles to help people and teams turn vision into momentum, purpose into clarity, and chaos into collective fire. I lead with deep listening, adaptive intelligence, and embodied presence—blending systems thinking with soul. Whether it’s launching something new, aligning strategy and execution, embedding ways of working, or navigating change—I guide people and teams to reconnect with what matters most and move forward in resonance. I don’t just “deliver” transformation; I 'midwife' it and uncover what’s ready to emerge—with precision and care. Rooted in digital-native culture, I’ve helped catalyse product, service, and operating model shifts across public, private, and start-up environments. I help leaders and teams decode complexity, translate vision into grounded action, and stay aligned through uncertainty. People call me a game changer (GCIndex), tempered radical, and at times, G-Force. I’ve been described as a “pocket-rocket”, “energizer bunny” or space-holder —quirky, strategic, and deeply human. Here’s what I bring: • An intuitive feel for human dynamics & systemic patterns • A knack for bridging vision and practical traction • Presence that invites trust, clarity, and aligned action • Love for purpose-led work that actually moves the needle Whether we’re shaping first-of-kind services or evolving how people work together—I guide the shift from fragmentation to flow, ideas to impact. Outside the 9–5, I contribute to insight networks (Gartner, AlphaSights), support NGOs, drum, write, and advocate for “onlyness”—the unique power we each carry to shape the world in a way only we can. If your mission needs a grounded guide for the in-between—where vision meets reality, and systems shift from within—let’s talk.💛
