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Sharon Petrie
Director Partnerships and Communications at Mama Cash
Professional Background
Sharon Petrie is a highly accomplished Board-level director with over 20 years of prolific experience in both profit and not-for-profit sectors. Renowned for her adeptness at working at local, regional, and headquarters levels, Sharon has a strong track record of formulating and executing long-term departmental, national, and global strategies. Her career has spanned across three continents, allowing her to live in eight countries, where she has effectively managed global projects and teams both directly and remotely.
Throughout her extensive career, Sharon has demonstrated her exceptional ability to forge sustainable relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including executive boards, governments, corporates, and major donors. With direct experience in resource development, communications, program, and financial management, her skill set is exceptionally diverse and rich.
Sharon's capabilities shine through her strategic acumen, balancing both strategic and functional levels effectively. She excels in bringing commercial rigor to decision-making processes within not-for-profit organizations, ensuring alignment with overarching strategic goals while surpassing targets consistently. As a passionate leader, she is highly skilled at building and enhancing the capacity of global teams, creating, and implementing impactful strategies and operational plans.
Education and Achievements
Sharon’s educational journey is reflective of her dedication to continuous growth and development. She holds a BA in Business Law and Political Science from the University of Strathclyde. Her academic pursuits also include a Post Graduate Certificate in Organizational Development and a Post Graduate Certificate in Marketing from the prestigious Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.
Additionally, her advanced knowledge in Development Management comes from her MSc and Diploma studies at The Open University, complemented by a Certificate in Development Management focusing on Development Economics and International Development.
Her commitment to enhancing her strategic thinking skills is highlighted by her intensive training at Cornell University in Strategic Thinking. Recognizing the importance of security in her field, Sharon also completed a course on Personal Security for Humanitarians (HEAT) at RedR.
Organizations
Sharon's leadership experience is further underscored by her role as Director of Partnerships and Communications at Mama Cash, a position where she continues to make significant contributions. She has also served as a Non-Executive Director and Board Trustee at Vision Foundation, showcasing her commitment to helping organizations thrive at the governance level.
Her notable previous positions include Director of Development at the Wildlife Justice Commission, where her strategic leadership helped shape the organization's direction. Through various roles at Right To Play, including Vice President of Fundraising and Communications, Sharon played a crucial role in fundraising initiatives, contributing to impactful programs for children globally.
Her steadfast affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International has seen her grow through various positions, including National Director for Habitat Mozambique, Associate Director of Resource Development & Communications, and International Donor Manager for Habitat for Humanity Guatemala. Sharon's versatility also includes retail experience as a Footwear Buyer at Sports Connection and Retail Buyer & Merchandiser at WEW Group.
Overall Contributions
Sharon Petrie’s career exemplifies dedication to creating positive societal impacts through robust organizational and strategic frameworks. Her combination of educational qualifications and extensive experience positions her as an instrumental leader in her field. With a reputation for exceeding targets and a commitment to fostering global relationships, Sharon is a sought-after partner and collaborator in both non-profit and profit sectors. Her journey demonstrates a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by organizations globally and a commitment to innovative solutions that advance their missions.
