SHARNA WILSON
Rolleston
Summary
Accomplished senior leader skilled in operational leadership and capability development across diverse environments. Proven track record in creating effective training programs, enhancing team performance through continuous improvement initiatives, and delivering exceptional results aligned with strategic objectives. Expertise in mentoring and fostering critical thinking within culturally aware learning spaces.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructor/Module manager
Defence Health School
01.2019 - Current
- Key instructor managing welfare, performance and delivery of advanced technical training.
- Conduct and performance management, coaching and capability development for trainees and staff.
- Applied structured development systems to enhance trainee engagement and performance outcomes.
- Create psychologically safe, culturally grounded learning environments informed by tikanga māori and manaakitanga.
- Received top staff recognition for significant contributions and effective leadership in training initiatives.
- Developed curriculum materials for health and wellness education programs.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance instructional methodologies and resources.
- Implemented classroom management strategies to foster a positive learning environment.
- Mentored junior instructors and teaching assistants to strengthen educational practices and improve instructional delivery.
- Adapted teaching methods based on the physical, emotional and intellectual capabilities of students.
- Encouraged students' critical thinking skills by facilitating classroom discussions.
Combat Medic
NZ Army/Royal New Zealand Navy
01.2011 - 01.2019
- Administered emergency medical care during operational missions and training exercises.
- Executed emergency medical responses during crises.
- Coordinated with military teams to optimize patient evacuation procedures, enhancing operational efficiency during missions.
- Performed operational medical support requiring precision, judgment and resilience on operational deployment.
- Led diverse training simulations to prepare teams for combat and emergency situations.
- Delivered training in first aid techniques and emergency response protocols to equip soldiers with essential lifesaving skills.
- Conducted risk assessments in high-pressure training environments to identify and mitigate potential medical emergencies.
- Provided training, support and supervision for defence force personnel.
- Monitored vital signs of patients during transport and medical evacuation operations.
- Participated in continuous education programs to enhance medical skills and knowledge.
- Maintained a safe environment by adhering to infection control policies and procedures.
Liaison Branch Administrator
Army Deployment
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Operationally deployed to Sinai, Egypt as the Liaison Branch Administrator.
- Coordinated multiforce communications between Israel and Egypt Defence Force personnel and international agencies, facilitating effective command operations and logistics.
- Coordinated communication between military units and support staff during deployment.
- Managed personnel tracking for deployed staff and ensured accurate, timely operational reporting.
- Oversaw movement control documentation and interagency coordination, ensuring compliance with strict timelines.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to improve interdepartmental communication, resulting in enhanced operational efficiency.
- Implemented best practices for documentation and reporting in deployment processes.
- Coordinated communications between teams to ensure accurate information was shared in a timely manner.
- Collaborated with senior management to identify areas of improvement within existing systems or strategies.
- Created reports to monitor progress on projects and initiatives.
- Advised on best practices, policies, and procedures for liaising duties.
Administrator/Executive assistant
New Zealand Army
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Supported senior leaders with reporting, briefing preparation and day to day operational administration.
- Managed administrative functions to ensure efficient office operations.
- Coordinated meetings, conferences, travel arrangements.
- Scheduled travel and inter-agency visits from key leaders planning and organisation for key leaders.
- Coordinated logistics, scheduling, and equipment tracking to ensure seamless operations across multiple unit functions.
- Implemented procedures that streamlined administrative processes, enhancing overall workflow efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between units to enhance operational readiness.
- Facilitated interdepartmental communication to support timely project completion and alignment with organizational goals.
- Handled correspondence, including drafting emails, memos, and reports for senior management.
- Developed and maintained documentation for personnel records and reports.
- Managed personnel documentation, pay, leave, communication systems and administrative workflows.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations within the office environment.
- Improved office organization by developing filing system and customer database protocols.
- Maintained filing system for important documents such as contracts and invoices.
- Responded to incoming calls from customers, providing assistance and information. and responded to customer inquiries.
- Performed data entry tasks into computer databases from paper documents.
- Provided guidance to junior staff on administrative policies and practices.
- Prepared reports on various projects for management review.
- Monitored payroll, credit card purchases and invoicing to prevent financial errors.
- Ensured that all paperwork was completed accurately before submission deadlines.
- Designed forms and templates to streamline workflow processes within organization.
Education
Graduate Diploma - Health and Science
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland, NZ06-2015
Diploma - Paramedic Science
Auckland University of Technology
AucklandNational Certificate - Adult Education & Training
New Zealand Certificate - Workplace Health and Safety Practice
New Zealand Certificate - Business (First Line Management)
Skills
- Curriculum design
- Curriculum delivery
- Lesson planning
- Instructor mentoring
- Learner support
- Performance assessment
- Performance monitoring
- Continuous improvement
- Risk assessment
- Risk management
- Operational planning
- Strategic planning
- Workflow management
- Systems enhancement
- Cross agency coordination
- Stakeholder engagement
- Operational leadership
- People leadership
- Change leadership
- Team building
- Communication
- Effective communication
- Critical thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Professional growth
Affiliations And Cultural Identity
Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Hikairo, Ōtūkau Marae
Whānau and tikanga māori are a big factor in my cultural identity and daily life.
Education And Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma in Health and Science (Level 7)
- Diploma in Paramedic Science (Level 6)
- National Certificate in Adult Education & Training (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 3)
- Extensive professional NZ Defence Force training in leadership development, instruction, administration, operational training, Royal NZ Navy sea safety and firefighting
Key Capabilities
- Operational leadership and high volume workflow management
- Continuous improvement and systems enhancement
- Risk management and assurance governance
- Strategic and operational planning
- Cross agency coordination and stakeholder engagement
- Communication (clear, influential and adaptable across all levels)
- Cultural competence (tikanga māori, mātauranga māori)
- Training delivery, performance monitoring and capability uplift
- Values based, people driven leadership and change management
Timeline
Instructor/Module manager
Defence Health School
01.2019 - Current
Combat Medic
NZ Army/Royal New Zealand Navy
01.2011 - 01.2019
Liaison Branch Administrator
Army Deployment
01.2010 - 01.2011
Administrator/Executive assistant
New Zealand Army
01.2003 - 01.2010
Graduate Diploma - Health and Science
Auckland University of Technology
Diploma - Paramedic Science
Auckland University of Technology