Anne Sturgess

M.Ed (1st Class), B.Ed, Dip Spec Ed, Dip Tchg, Level C Assessor, Certificate Growth Coaching, Registered teacher
Director Neurolinks Growth Centre | Personal Growth & Executive Functioning Coach

About Anne

Anne Sturgess is an experienced New Zealand education leader, coach, and facilitator with over 35 years working across primary, secondary, and tertiary education sectors. She is passionate about supporting young people and adults to thrive as learners, thinkers, and human beings.

Anne brings a strengths-based, compassionate approach to her work — particularly with children and adults who are gifted, twice-exceptional, or neurodivergent. Rather than focusing on diagnostic labels, she helps people see their unique abilities and learn how to navigate challenges with clarity, confidence, and self-acceptance.

Anne provides assessment, coaching, and specialist guidance for individuals, families, and educators seeking to enhance learning, social-emotional wellbeing, and executive functioning.

Professional Background

• Director, Neurolinks Growth Centre
  Supporting parents, educators, and young people with guidance, assessment, and coaching to help learners thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

• Service Manager (Intensive Wraparound Services Northwest), New Zealand Ministry of Education (2023–2025)
  Led complex, multi-agency support for students with high needs, helping schools and families develop sustainable, student-centered pathways.

• Consultancy - Sturmon Education: provided guidance and support to students and the key adults in their lives.

• Professional Learning Facilitator, University of Waikato – Institute of Professional Learning (2013–2014)
  Focused on leadership, change management, gifted education, and blended e-learning practices in schools.

• E-Learning Facilitator, CORE Education (2011–2013)
  Mentored and coached teachers to integrate digital tools effectively in blended learning environments.

Anne’s career is grounded in the vision that “all children can flourish when we design learning with their strengths and learning and living contexts in mind.”

Qualifications & Certifications

• Master of Education (First Class Honours), University of Auckland

• Bachelor of Education

• Diploma in Special Education

• Diploma of Teaching

• Certified Level C Assessor (psychometric assessment)

• Certified Personal Growth & Executive Functioning Coach (NeuroLeadership Institute methodologies)

Coaching Philosophy

Anne’s coaching draws on brain-based and strengths-based frameworks to promote personal growth, executive functioning, and emotional regulation. Her approach helps individuals:

• Build self-awareness and confidence

• Develop effective thinking and learning habits

• Navigate challenges related to ADHD, giftedness, or twice-exceptionality

• Cultivate balanced, purposeful, and joy-filled lives

Her style is warm, practical, and deeply human — she meets each client where they are and helps them grow from there.

Available for in-person and online coaching sessions.