Our Speakers
Our Speakers
The good humans who support our mission and give their time to share their knowledge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr David Beaumont
David, author of Positive Medicine, is a Consultant Occupational Physician specialising in worker health and former President of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.