The trio were honoured for their service to the business and governance communities both in Otago-Southland and nationally.
IoD chief executive Kirsten Patterson said the three had distinguished themselves by long service to governance and commitment to improving their own professionalism and abilities as directors through challenging times.
Mr Heslin is the deputy chairman of Port Otago and its property arm Chalmers Properties, and chairman of Forsyth Barr Custodians and Forsyth Barr Cash Management Nominees.
A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, he was an inaugural member of the New Zealand Auditing Standards and Assurance Board.
Alongside his main board roles, he is also active in the governance community as a provider of governance and financial advisory services and as an independent trustee to several family and trading trusts.
Ms Oakley is pro-chancellor at the University of Otago, a member of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and a trustee of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. She is also chairwoman of the IoD’s Otago Southland branch committee and a member of the organisation’s national council.
Mrs Sangster chairs the Community Trust of Maniototo and holds board positions with Alliance Group, Farmlands and her family farming business.
She is also a member of the governance group for catchment group project Tiaki Maniototo.
