Our People
Diana Burns
Diana Burns has been in the business of communications, training and facilitating for more than 14 years. She has extensive experience working alongside and inside the media, and has over the years held a variety of roles including having her own highly-rated programme on National Radio.
Diana has held high level positions in both the public and private sectors, and was the coordinator of the government’s APEC Women Leader’s meeting in 1999. With a corporate background as a parliamentary press secretary, communications manager, and foreign correspondent for both New Zealand and Spanish media, she brings her exceptional relationship management and communication skills to the pattillo team.
Much of Diana’s facilitation work has been in the health and education sectors, but she has also had experience assisting non-government organisations, regional and local organisations to raise their game and reach the outcomes they desire. A fluent Spanish speaker, Diana has also taken her considerable skills abroad to Spain and Latin America, and has worked with international organisations, including the United Nations. Her recent work includes training New Zealand film stars, directors and industry professionals for the New Zealand Film Commission.
Her background as a journalist and presenter has given her skills she has aptly applied to her work as a trainer and facilitator, including the ability to quickly absorb, clarify and distil relevant information.
Diana has an internationally recognised Certificate in Public Participation (IAP2) and she has incorporated into her training and facilitation work the deeply held belief that one size does not fit all. Each course or session must be closely tailored. She combines a solid professionalism with a sense of fun, understanding that variety, commitment and enjoyment are essential to real involvement and change.
