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Dr Zsuzsa Banhalmi-Zakar (Manager of Research at RIAA)

Dr Zsuzsa Banhalmi-Zakar

Manager of Research at RIAA

Zsuzsa is RIAA's Manager of Research. Her role is to look after the research efforts of the organisation, which include ensuring the continued success of existing projects and reimagining RIAA’s research for the future.

Zsuzsa has an extensive track record as researcher, spending the last nine years in academia. She completed a PhD in sustainable finance and worked extensively with investors and the not-for-profit sector in the region on topics such as climate adaptation finance, blue finance, and the identification of environmental risks and opportunities. Prior to moving to Australia, she was a senior consultant for Deloitte in Europe where she was first exposed to the power of responsible investment and lending to make a positive difference. Zsuzsa is passionate about helping capital move into ventures that make investments responsible and our world more sustainable for present and future generations.

Pip Best (Partner at EY)

Pip Best

Partner at EY

Pip is a partner at EY and leader of EY New Zealand’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services team. She has extensive experience in working in sustainability and climate change areas, particularly at its intersection with the finance sector. Pip led the Sustainable Finance Forum (SFF) Secretariat since 2019. Pip has assisted in the development of global green financing standards, drafting the second version of the Climate Bond Standard and working to investigate the need and scope of sustainable financing standards in Australia and New Zealand. Pip has been involved in the industry working groups on hydropower, forestry and agricultural. Pip also led work to develop guidance on sustainable practices in the agricultural sector, known as SAFI and investigated the need for green standards on hydrogen production. Pip is a board member of the Carbon Markets Institute and Toitū Tahua: the Centre of Sustainable Finance.

Lorenzo Brunelli (Vice President and Fixed Income Strategist at PIMCO)

Lorenzo Brunelli

Vice President and Fixed Income Strategist at PIMCO

Mr. Brunelli is a vice president and fixed income strategist in the London office, focusing on multi-sector fixed income and ESG (environmental, social, governance) strategies. Previously at PIMCO, he was a senior account associate covering institutional client relationships. He joined the firm in 2014. He holds a master's degree in finance and an undergraduate degree in economics and finance from Bocconi University.

Dean Hegarty (Executive Manager at RIAA)

Dean Hegarty

Executive Manager at RIAA

Dean leads RIAA’s member engagement, events, marketing and communications functions, and heads RIAA's Aotearoa NZ branch. He works with 500+ global and locally based Asset Managers, Superfunds, Kiwisaver providers, Financial Advisors and Wealth Platforms to help them align their capital with sustainable outcomes. Dean is also a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in NZ.

Leah Willis (Head of Client Relationships at Australian Ethical Investment Ltd)

Leah Willis

Head of Client Relationships at Australian Ethical Investment Ltd

Leah is the Head of Client Relationships at Australian Ethical Investment, Australia’s leading ethical superannuation fund and investment manager with over $9.20 billion in funds under management as at 30 June 2023.

Leah joined Australian Ethical in December 2016 and is responsible for client relationships across Australian Ethical’s intermediated channels, including financial planners, researchers, consultants and mezzanine investors. Leah has more than 25-years’ experience in financial services distribution, including senior distribution positions with Rothschild Asset Management, BT Financial Group, Barclays Global Investors and IOOF.