Milly brings 15 years’ experience in policy, strategy, and organisation design. She has particular interest and expertise in climate resilience and crisis and emergency management.
She has recently returned to Nous after serving as Chief Advisor at New Zealand's Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and completing a Master in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. Milly combines a high degree of analytical rigour with, a strong delivery focus, and a commitment to bringing people along on the journey.
Influential work
- As a member of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, advised on the establishment of Government Targets to shape the term of government and established the Delivery Unit to support delivery and drive improvement in the areas that matter most to the government
- Enabled the performance of New Zealand’s all hazards, all threats crisis management arrangements and advised top crisis leaders on resilience matters
- Led delivery of Strengthening Disaster Resilience and Emergency Management, a strategy for reform of New Zealand’s emergency management arrangements following the events of the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, which was delivered in tight timelines and was well-received by impacted communities and the emergency management sector
- Managed the development of an industry strategy for an Australian agricultural industry group, which was informed by an in-depth engagement process and delivered a plan for a more confident, profitable, and united industry
- Managed a large-scale review of the interagency operating model for emergency management in Victoria. The review delivered actionable recommendations to strengthen arrangements while building support for reform across agencies
Outside of Nous
Milly was previously a Chief Advisor at the New Zealand Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet where she served in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, the Delivery Unit, and the Risk and Resilience Branch.
She has also worked in the New South Wales Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
In her spare time...
Outside of Nous Milly is kept busy by her two small children participating in nippers and drinking coffee at playgrounds.
She is happiest at Riversdale Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand diving for paua, and playing golf with her siblings and cousins.