SARAH DEAN
Sarah Dean is the Founder of the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as the National Road Trauma Centre (‘Trust’).
In 2007 following a significant road crash Sarah was studying Law at the University of Canterbury. During her studies she has took a great interest in tort law. Her research led Sarah to understand the significant socio and economic impact of road crashes and the burdens they imposed. Working alongside her local MP, she supported Sarah in a request for legislation changes to the Accident Compensation Act to support those impacted by road crashes by significant trauma. Her local MP’s support was unwavering, and she wrote to Hon Maryan Street, the then Minister of the Accident Compensation Corporation at the time. Although an unfavorable response was received. Sarah was invested enough into her project to know more infrastructure was required to support road crash victims.
Sarah started her preparations for the establishment of the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust and connected with trauma psychologist specialists Paul Wynands, Dr Lee Kannis-Dymand and Professor Neville Blampied. The Trust was formally registered with the Charities Commission in 2010. At the time of establishment the Trusts its original intent and purpose to provide education, advocacy and support to those impacted by road trauma including free counselling services.
Sarah’s first official public engagement was in 2009, at a function alongside Val Sim, Lead Commissioner of the 2009 Law Commissioners Review on ‘Compensating Victims of Crime’. Sarah was invited to speak on the inequalities and socio economic impacts of the Accident Compensation Act for those impacted by road crashes. Since then, Sarah has been invited to speak in conferences and various other speaking engagements advocating for the victims of road crashes and acknowledgment and recognition to those in emergency response and post-crash care and recovery.
In 2016 Sarah developed the Road Accident Remembrance and developed its unique program alongside Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, St John, Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, Canterbury Chairty Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board and Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency.
In 2017 Sarah founded the Canterbury Road Trauma Awards and established the Canterbury Road Trauma Awards Committee. Sarah served as its inaugural Chair. In 2019 Sarah led the Trust’s formal restructure, rebrand to the Road Traffic Accident Trauma Charitable Trust trading as National Road Trauma Centre.
Sarah has a diverse background in both the commercial, local and central government sectors in New Zealand and Australia. In the infancy of her career Sarah worked in the Economic Development Unit of the Canterbury Development Corporation.
Her commercial background ranges from insurance brokering to private enterprise. Sarah has qualifications in GMP in the veterinary medicine and agricultural sector. In this sector she has worked in Regulatory Affairs in which her role including overseeing trademark litigation, compliance auditing, pharmaceutical product registration and intellectual property in numerous countries.
Sarah believes in good governance and volunteers her time in the community to support other charitable and non-for profit organisations. Sarah enjoys an active lifestyle. Both Sarah and her fiancé Jason are actively involved in active member of Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Ngāi Tahu. Together are establishing their own weather forecasting business, with a particular focus on supporting indigenous peoples within New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Sarah is pleased to continue to support the Trust. She credits the many wonderful stakeholders and industry professionals who have supported her. She has felt very privileged to have engage with and serve those deeply impacted in the community.