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Alex Banks
Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability Services at EYAlexandra is focused on sustainability and ESG strategy and transformation, particularly in relation to sustainable supply chains and responsible sourcing.
Alexandra has worked at the interface of business and sustainability her entire career and is driven to support business to meet the challenge and opportunity of sustainable transformation. Alexandra has a particular passion for understanding and managing social and environmental impacts in complex value chains, particularly for forest impact commodities.
A qualified lawyer, Alexandra worked for an international environmental non-profit and the Australian Government prior to joining EY. Alexandra has lived and worked in northern Europe and across Southeast Asia and Oceania, spending much time in forests and communities at the frontline of sustainability.
She has Bachelor’s degree in Arts (Political Science) and Law, as well as postgraduate qualifications in legal practice and public administration.
Tim Cooper
Practice Lead Biodiversity and Land at BHPTim is a senior sustainability professional with 25+ years’ experience in strategic planning and project management in multiple sectors including government, consulting and the resources industry. He has worked across various commodities including iron ore, climate critical minerals (copper and nickel), and oil and gas. Tim has spent the past 12 years at BHP and is currently the Global Practice Lead for Biodiversity and Land. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction for biodiversity and land to ensure alignment across the company on actions that create outcomes that are positive for nature. Tim holds a PhD in marine science and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
Arianna Cowling
Director, Financing Solutions for Nature of Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and WaterArianna is the Director of Financing Solutions for Nature in the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. In her role, she sits on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Stewardship Council, and manages the Australian Government’s TNFD work program and stakeholder engagement.
Previously, Arianna held several roles at Treasury, working on taxation, superannuation and retirement income policy, modelling and forecasting, and roles at the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Arianna holds a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Hons)/Arts from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Christian Gergis GAICD
Head of Policy at Australian Institute of Company DirectorsChristian is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the AICD’s public policy agenda and governance practice program, engaging with members, government, industry and other stakeholders.
Prior to joining the AICD, Christian held senior roles at financial services industry bodies including most recently as the Head of Policy & Research at the Australian Investment Council.
Christian was previously a diplomat with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and began his career as a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences)/Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University (ANU).
Ed John
Executive Manager, Stewardship at Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI)Ed has over 10 years’ experience advising ACSI members on responsible investment issues. Ed is responsible for ACSI’s engagement with ASX-listed boards, policy formation and proxy voting research. With a background in law and financial services, Ed has extensive experience producing research and engaging with the boards of Australia’s largest companies on a range of ESG investment issues.
Ed holds a Bachelor of Laws with honours, Master of Commercial Law from the University of Melbourne and a Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning). He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Tim King
CIO at Melior Investment ManagementTim co-founded Melior and is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO). He has worked in capital markets for more than 25 years and has over a decade of experience in ESG research. Tim was Head of Company & ESG Research for Colonial First State Global Asset Management’s Australian Equities Core Fund from 2016 to 2018. Prior to this he was Head of Advisory for governance research firm Regnan and Head of Company & ESG Research for Deutsche Bank from 2003 -2013. He was also a top 3 rated sell side analyst.
Tim serves on the board of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and received an Advanced Certificate in International Economics and Finance from the Kiel Institute of World Economics in Germany and attended the University of Rochester in New York on a Fulbright Scholarship. Tim has both a Master of Arts with First Class Honours (Economics) and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Tim is an Industry Fellow at the University of Technology Business School.
Carolin Leeshaa
Member of the TNFD Taskforce & National Leader, Natural Capital & Biodiversity at KPMG AustraliaCarolin has been at the forefront of global social and sustainable finance, impact investing and environmental markets for over 20 years. She is a trusted impact strategist who works at the intersection of government policy, capital markets and communities across developed and emerging markets.
Estelle Parker
Executive Manager at RIAAEstelle Parker leads RIAA’s research, certification, policy, standards and working group programs. She brings 20 years’ experience leading strategic initiatives as a diplomat, policy analyst, stakeholder manager and strategic planner with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Estelle served, inter alia, as Acting Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador to Mexico, Central America and Cuba; Deputy State Director (Victoria); Policy Adviser to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands; and as Director overseeing the development and management of bilateral relationships.
Estelle also worked for five years at the University of Melbourne, where she lectured in the Master of Public Policy and Management and Master of International Relations, and has experience on boards and committees. She is currently a member of the Principles for Responsible Investment’s Global Policy Reference Group and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group, as well as Convenor of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures official Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Estelle holds a Master of Public Policy and Management (First Class Honours), Master of Communications (With Distinction), Bachelor of Arts (av. First Class Honours) and Certificate in Business Sustainability Strategy.
Guy Williams
Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures - Taskforce Member & Executive Director of Pollination GroupGuy Williams is a Director in Deloitte's Risk Advisory practice supporting a global network of clients to develop science-based solutions to existing and emerging biodiversity challenges. Guy brings a unique balance and perspective to the rapidly evolving natural capital agenda, gained from over twenty years field research in landscape ecology across Asia and the Pacific, academic skills in biodiversity, anthropology, and corporate sustainability, combined with his ongoing work advising business to better manage and effectively value nature. Guy serves on the membership of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosure, the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management and Species Survival Commission, and is an active supporter of the Science Based Targets Network. Guy maintains a deep and ongoing interest in community-led conservation, and the use of digital media to support effective conservation strategies.