Catriona Williams
2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award Recipient
As founder and a trustee of The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, Catriona Williams is pushing the boundaries of research to enable spinal cord injury (SCI) sufferers to walk again.
Described as someone who leads from the front, Catriona has driven and shaped what started as a single fund-raising initiative into a respected and thriving charitable Trust. Her vision for CatWalk infects those around her, and Catriona has succeeded in bringing together an outstanding group of trustees, staff, volunteers, patrons and sponsors who are committed to supporting her in achieving her aims. She uses her collaborative skills to promote and enhance communication between other SCI charities, and to encourage shared utilisation of resources and expertise for the good of those affected by the condition.
A passionate equestrian and showing determination from a very young age, Catriona burst onto the show jumping and eventing scene in the early 90s and realised her dream of representing New Zealand. Her equestrian career ended in 2002, when she had an accident which left her a C 6-7 tetrapelgic, but Catriona’s gritty determination as a rider is now channelled into CatWalk, where she continues to achieve extraordinary things.
Catriona has made the journey from a sportswoman in pursuit of individual excellence, to a leader who achieves wider goals through motivating others. She sets the bar high for herself and her team and, while taking personal responsibility for results, creates a focus on outcomes and constant improvement.
“Sharing the joys of success with a great team whom you trust and respect is the most incredibly rewarding experience. It is important to strive hard and be the best you can, but to remember that behind every great leader is always an excellent team …that’s what makes them look so darn good!”
The Trust has flourished under her leadership and, since its inception in 2005, has raised over $1million dollars to help expedite the discovery of a cure for SCI. Catriona’s ceaseless and innovative fundraising continues in November, when she will take part in the New York Marathon on a specially-designed handcycle.
Catriona is a regular speaker around New Zealand, inspiring countless people by her example of courage and determination in the face of adversity. With one New Zealander suffering a debilitating spinal cord injury every five days, Catriona dedicates a great deal of her time talking to those who are embarking on a new life confined to a wheelchair and offers them hope and encouragement. She has also created SCI Achievers - an initiative to celebrate the achievements of SCI victims to rebuild meaningful lives in chairs and to motivate others by their stories.
Catriona remains positive that a cure will be discovered in her lifetime, but her motivation comes from improving the odds for those who will be affected by the condition in the future.
“My dream is to dance with my husband again on my feet; but my goal is for the children currently affected by SCI to be dancing with their partners in the future.”