Wao Summit 2024 Speakers
Wao Summit 2024 Speakers
The good humans who will be gracing the stage at this year’s Wao 2024 Summit.
Sam Stubbs
Sam Stubbs is the co-founder of Simplicity, one of NZ’s fastest growing KiwiSaver plans. Sam was previously CEO of Tower Investments. Sam is a father of four children who dreams about simplicity and sailing around the world.
Jana Davis
Jana Davis (Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, Kāi Tahu) is Chief Executive of Te Tapu o Tāne Ltd, driving Māori-led environmental and regional development, and is involved with Mata-Au River Trust and Kāi Tahu ki Tuawhenua.
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.
Campbell McNeill
Campbell, Director at ahha Architecture, has 12 years of experience in architecture, focusing on urban regeneration, design, and education. He leads Ecology and Health + Wellbeing at ahha and is training in the International Well Building Standard.
Katherine Buttar
Kath, Senior Sustainability Advisor for Queenstown Lakes District Council, specialises in waste management and sustainability strategies, focusing on community-led solutions for a circular and regenerative future.
Dr Susan Wardell
Susan, a Social Anthropology lecturer at the University of Otago and award-winning writer, explores emotion, care, and mental health in relation to climate distress.
Sofia Cinque
Sofia is a sustainability advisor and manager at Chunky, promoting reuse over single-use. She shares zero-waste tips on @earthic.life and connects menstrual cycles with environmental health.
Charlotte Friedrich
Charlotte supports creatives and innovators in aligning with nature's rhythms. A certified Menstruality Mentor with a background in wellbeing psychology, she leads a wellbeing practice and consults for Aro Hā.
Laura Molles
Originally from Southern California, Laura studies animal behaviour and conservation, focusing on acoustic communication. She combines her expertise with technology at Digilab for non-invasive monitoring tools.
Katrine Gellatly
Kat is a sustainability consultant based in Alexandra who exclusively works with Breen Construction and Homes. She has played a pivotal role in guiding Breen's sustainability initiatives, including implementing ISO 26000, developing carbon reduction targets, and monitoring the company's environmental performance.
Kristy Jones
With 10 years in construction and a Master’s in Environmental Management, Kristy drives sustainability at Cook Brothers Construction, integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations into every project.
Sarah Forder
Sarah, with a BSc in Environmental Science and MSc in Conservation Biology, has 17 years with DOC and extensive conservation experience. She now works with Southern Lakes Sanctuary.
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.
Dr. Melissa Robson-Williams
Dr. Melissa Robson-Williams, a senior researcher at Manaaki Whenua, holds a PhD in Organic Agriculture and specializes in managing socio-environmental impacts on land and water.
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.
Florence Micoud
Florence is a nature advocate and regeneration practitioner with a Master of Economics and diploma in Sustainable Practice. She promotes sustainable gardening, land regeneration, and community wellbeing in Wānaka.
John McCrae
John, a third-generation farmer at Glendhu Station, Wānaka, is known for innovative, sustainable farming on 1,300 hectares, focusing on organic practices, soil health, and community engagement.
Aaron Thulé
Aaron Thulé, a UC Berkeley graduate, has worked in politics, law, and disaster relief. Now in Wānaka, he drives sustainable community transitions with Wao Aotearoa.