Sarah Mackenzie is an international development professional with deep field experience in Africa and Latin America. She has worked extensively with civil society and non-government organisations (NGOs), particularly in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene. Based in Burkina Faso for five years, Sarah began collaborating with a mineral exploration company in 2011 as the country’s gold mining sector boomed. She has since worked with other mining and exploration companies in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Niger. Her current areas of disciplinary expertise include: community engagement, community development, social investment, and gender as a cross-cutting theme. Since joining SMI, Sarah has worked on research projects in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Peru and Government capacity building in Niger. She has been involved in community relations training programs in Australia, Mexico, Chile and Peru and the development of CSRM’s on-line professional development offerings, leading the on-line Community Relations at Exploration Masterclass. She also works closely with the Centre Director on strategic programs of work. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and History from Auckland University and a Master of Science in Development Management from the Open University in the UK. She is fluent in French and Spanish.