Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.

Cristina Barraclough
Cristina is a sustainability professional with over 4 years’ experience, supporting SMEs, councils, and large manufacturers on their carbon and climate journeys. With a Master’s in Environmental Policy and Management, and as a Board member of Sustainable Queenstown, she brings technical expertise, governance, and a passion for collaboration to drive meaningful pathways toward a sustainable future.

Helen Hughes
Having spent most of her career in working for large scale corporates in New Zealand, England and Australia, Helen transitioned into the not-for-profit space in 2023 taking on the role of Tai Urungi - Chief Executive at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, the worlds largest predator fenced eco-sanctuary located in the heart of the mighty Waikato.

Sean Weaver
Ekos founder Sean Weaver started his career as a forest ecologist and then moved into forest conservation financing. This began in Fiji working with tribal landowners to protect the magnificent rainforests of Wabu Creek (pronounced 'Waambu') in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Sean is an international expert in market-based mechanisms for environmental and climate financing specialising in restorative & environmental forestry.

Monique Kelly
Monique, is the Co-Founder of Concept Store Revology, General Manager at Wao, and UN ILO consultant on labor rights, focusing on carbon-zero and regenerative futures.

Cathrine Dyer
Cathrine Dyer is a Lecturer in Climate Change at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. She teaches in environmental politics and international climate change policy. Her PhD research examined government underreactions to climate change, leading to an interest in commons expansion and collective responses. Cathrine is a regular guest on The Hoon podcast, covering current climate change issues with journalists Bernard Hickey (The Kākā) and Peter Bale.
Lisa Thompson
Lisa is the Chief Executive of Wilson & Dorset, based in Wānaka, Wilson & Dorset is reimaging modern living using 100% NZ sheepskin. The Central Otago way-of-life serves as inspiration for the brand – a life that is rooted in nature with deep respect for the land and the farming community.

Galeno Chua
Known as Mr. G, Galeno Chua is an ai and greentech startup founder, and business coach for startups for the New Zealand Government, United Nations Development Programme in Cambodia and for the Social Tides programme for ai and impact startups across the EU.



