Dame Cheryll Sotheran - BA, MA

Dame Cheryll Sotheran is renowned internationally as a gifted and able museum professional. Her commitment to positioning museums at the heart of their communities culminated in her appointment as the first Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa.

The brilliant execution of Te Papa as a world class museum, a museum built to time and under budget, is a triumph because of the size and complexity of the task. The considerable international attention and acclaim continues for Cheryll as Te Papa delights the audiences which flock to the Museum in unprecedented numbers.

As a specialist in the field of visual arts, Cheryll has received many awards for services to arts and culture, but it is her drive and ability to inspire and motivate her team to achieve the 'mission impossible' which distinguish her further.

Cheryll received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999.