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Sarah Burton
Director at Sarah Burton, Consulting
Professional Background
Sarah Burton is a dedicated coach and mentor with over two decades of extensive experience in senior management roles within prominent international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Amnesty International and Greenpeace International. A strong advocate for social justice, Sarah has been harnessing her extensive skills and knowledge to coach and mentor senior and mid-level executive staff, particularly empowering women leaders within the not-for-profit sector. Since 2017, she has worked closely with various organizations to support individuals ranging from Executive Directors to campaign managers and activist leaders, helping them navigate the complexities of their roles while enhancing their impact in their respective fields.
Sarah's unique qualifications in legal strategies and tactics, as well as her deep understanding of the intersection between environmental issues and human rights, position her as a leading advisor in campaign development. Throughout her career, she has organized and facilitated numerous large-scale international strategy and planning meetings, participated in global training sessions, and evaluated the effectiveness of campaigns and departments in large organizations. Her ability to co-create complex, multi-faceted campaigns has led to significant advancements in various causes she has championed.
As a seasoned professional, Sarah has held Senior Management and Board-level positions throughout her career. Currently, she serves as a Trustee of the Public Law Project, where her legal expertise plays a crucial role in advancing the organization’s mission. Previously, she was a member of the Board of Natural England and the Council of English Nature for eight years, influencing environmental policy and conservation efforts on a national scale.
Education and Achievements
Sarah's educational background laid a strong foundation for her impressive career. Before embarking on her journey in the NGO sector, she practiced law for twelve years in the UK. Her legal expertise is not only a hallmark of her career, but it also fuels her passion for blending environmental and human rights approaches in advocacy campaigns. Sarah made history by becoming Greenpeace UK's first in-house lawyer, eventually leading to significant leadership roles such as Campaign Director.
Her collaborative spirit and remarkable leadership capabilities have positioned her at the forefront of Greenpeace International, where she has served as Programme Director and actively participated in the Senior Management Team while also chairing the Crisis Response Team for eight years. Her extensive experience has resulted in a robust understanding of the dynamics of international campaigning and has consistently delivered favorable outcomes in various initiatives.
Notable Contributions
- Board Trustee at the Public Law Project: Sarah’s role as a Trustee allows her to contribute to essential discussions on public law and advocate for the legal rights of marginalized communities.
- Director at Sarah Burton Consulting: Through her consulting endeavors, she advises NGOs on strategy, law, and effective campaign execution.
- Former Senior Legal Advisor & Project Leader at Greenpeace International: In this capacity, Sarah played a pivotal role in shaping global environmental campaigns, providing invaluable legal strategies and insights.
- Campaign Programme Director at Amnesty International: During her tenure, Sarah contributed to pivotal human rights campaigns, fortifying her campaign management skills.
- Board Member of Greenpeace Czech Republic: Her involvement extended her influence on environmental matters across borders, fostering collaborative efforts in advocacy.
Throughout her career, Sarah has been instrumental in effecting systemic change and inspiring future leaders in the social justice arena. Her proactive approach and commitment to championing human rights and environmental issues continue to leave a significant mark within the NGO sector.