Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
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.
Dr Rebecca Bloore
Dr Rebecca Bloore has extensive experience conducting psychology research and offers consulting sessions locally in Wanaka.
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.
Dr Carly Green
Carly, with 20+ years in climate change mitigation, founded Environmental Accounting Services and advises on land use, carbon standards, and policy from her home in Wānaka.
Tawna Woods
Tawna Woods is the founder of Wānaka Body, a personal training and coaching business established in 2015.
What began as a way to support other mothers through the transformative power of exercise has since evolved into a holistic practice that integrates physical fitness with trauma-informed care.
Nicola King
Nicola King is an advocate for people and the planet. With a background in design and a Masters in Sustainable Business, she makes big ideas feel real and relatable. Through her platform In Good Nic, she explores how simplifying sustainability could shape our future.
Syndey Straver
Sydney Straver, Managing Director of &BLOOM, helps investors and organisations in the Pacific shift ESG from a compliance exercise to a driver of strategic value. With experience supporting European firms, she brings global best practices to the region, guiding clients through every stage of ESG strategy. Her approach uniquely focuses on where sustainability and value creation intersect.
Ewan Mackie
Ewan Mackie is the head of operations at Cardrona and Treble Cone Alpine Resorts. He leads all the sustainability initiatives at the resorts and has been helping guide them towards a new, regenerative, future. A passionate outdoor enthusiast and an engaged collaborator, Ewan feels a strong sense of kaitiakitanga for both people & place.
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.
Mawera Karetai
Mawera Karetai is a mum, community activist, governor, lecturer and supervisor. Mawera's work is centred around enabling others to identify and achieve their goals, from a personal, through to community level.
Sara Walton
Professor Sara Walton teaches and researches in the area of sustainability, climate change and business at the Otago Business School, Ōtakou Whakaihu Waka University of Otago. Sara developed the Master of Sustainable Business and helped establish He Kaupapa Hononga Otago’s Climate Change Research Network.
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.
Jesse Herbert
Jesse Herbert is the founder and owner of Freshlink Grocer in Wānaka. He equates wholefood with “kai,” reflecting his family's sustainable lifestyle.
Aimee Blake
Aimee, a systems thinker and storyteller, co-founded Girls who Grow and chairs Future Farmers. She’s a senior consultant at EY, a 6th-generation farmer, and yoga teacher.
Zoe Hawkins
Zoe Hawkins, an internationally awarded copywriter and founder of Brand+Butter, now hosts Creative Juices, an open mic for spoken word and music, while promoting regenerative businesses.