Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
Ellie Meredith
Ellie (she/her) cultivates community and joy at Re-Action Collective, tackling eco-anxiety by turning active hope into action and reimagining the outdoor industry as circular and nature-centred.
Melanie Joan Lloyd
Melanie Joan is a snowboarder, climate policy advisor and artist. Through ClimateChangeBowl, she blends science, advocacy and art to inspire meaningful climate action.
Jodie Jarvis
Jodie Jarvis is a writer, researcher, and PhD candidate at the University of Otago whose work explores everyday and embodied experiences of climate change.
Janice Lee
Janice Lee, founder of Koha Kai, empowers Kaumatua (elders) and Tangata Whaikaha (disabled people) through food resilience and community spaces, championing sustainable solutions despite limited investment.
Emberly Wetherall
Emberly Wetherall, with degrees in Nutrition and Public Health, champions local regenerative food systems and community resilience through Grow Wānaka Community Garden and various collaborative projects.
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.
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.
Sam Gibson
Sam/Hamiora (AKA Sam the Trapman) is a trapper and conservationist, founded the Eastern Whio Link project, restoring native whio to Waioeka rivers. He lives in Gisborne with his family.
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.
Rochelle Francis
Rochelle Francis advocates for local food systems, ensuring access to affordable, nourishing, and sustainable food. She leads climate initiatives in Southland, promoting biodiversity and community well-being.
Dr Jim Salinger
Jim, 2024 New Zealander of the Year, is a climate change expert who uncovered New Zealand warming in the 1970s and contributed to the Nobel-winning IPCC.
Jane Llyod
Jane, a food system expert with 20+ years’ experience, founded Springhouse Consulting in Wānaka. She addresses food system resilience and sustainability through global and local perspectives.
Dr Greg Bodeker
Greg, director of Bodeker Scientific, has over 130 published papers in climate science, co-founded Red Sky AI, directs Kentron Ltd, and is an adjunct professor at Victoria University.
Paul Spoonley
Paul Spoonley, emeritus professor at Massey University, is a New Zealand sociologist specialising in social change, demography, and policy. He has authored 27 books and is a regular commentator in the news media.
Ron Bull
Ron’s work integrates his deep connection to titi harvesting traditions with his extensive experience in tertiary education. Ron has dedicated 20 years to developing education and curriculum, utilising historical contexts to construct and understand contemporary biculturalism in Aotearoa.
Zeb Horrell
Zebulon, raised on a Southland sheep farm, champions rural regeneration and vitality through events like Burning Horse Festival and Future Whenua Summit, promoting ecological concepts.
David Norton
David is an Emeritus Professor, with 40+ years in ecology. He now consults through Biodiversity Solutions Ltd., helping farmers integrate biodiversity and advising Pure Advantage on reforestation for climate resilience.
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.