Emily Mason

Emily is passionate about bridging the gap between research and action. Her enthusiasm stems from 20 years’ experience in policy and analytics teams working to turn data and evidence into useful information for decision making.

Emily has worked in senior strategic and operational roles across central government to improve results from the front line to the Beehive. Her past experience includes the Social Investment Agency, the Ministry of Education, ACC, and Statistics New Zealand. Emily has an MPP from Victoria University, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Public Policy Prize (VUW) in 2004 and holds a BA in Geography, Education and Anthropology from Auckland University.

Emily is able to explain big ideas and wicked problems that come with difficult concepts in a tangible way to varied audiences. This skill enables Emily to talk and write so Ministers listen. Emily has experience writing Ministerial briefings and Cabinet Papers for a variety of Ministers. She also has experience of reviewing these briefings and giving feedback to departments as a Minister’s private secretary.

Emily has been an Associate at Victoria University Professional and Executive Development since 2020. Her approach to teaching and learning is collaborative and participatory and her aim is for you to leave the course with practical tools to put what you have learnt into practice.