Robyn Southam is passionate about bringing literacy, children and educators together, and her professional life has been dedicated to facilitating this. For 22 years Robyn has been a member of the Auckland Literacy Association, holding such executive positions as president and delegate to the New Zealand Literacy Association. She has been an active team member in successfully organising local, national and international conferences.

Robyn’s initiative in establishing the International Literacy Association’s International Development in Oceania Committee’s Books for Oceania project has resulted in thousands of children in the Pacific receiving many thousands of books. Robyn’s involvement with many different literacy organisations and associations is indicative of her commitment, competence and enthusiasm, and demonstrate her particular skill in strategic thinking to enable goals to be successfully achieved.