This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other Responsible Investment Association Australasia events.
Louise Aitken
CEO of Ākina FoundationLouise is a strong advocate for social responsibility and impact. She leads a talented and passionate team of social enterprise and impact investment experts, providing support, capability and thought leadership both across New Zealand and internationally.
Louise joined Ākina in 2016, following a successful corporate career, which included the management of New Zealand’s largest corporate social responsibility programme. She sits on the Board of the Impact Enterprise Fund (New Zealand’s first impact investment fund) and has been recently appointed to the National Advisory Board for Impact Investing Network Aotearoa New Zealand.
Michael Bennetts
Chief Executive Office at Z Energy LimitedMike is presently the founding Chief Executive of Z Energy, the company that purchased the downstream (refining and marketing) business of Shell in New Zealand in April 2010 and Chevron in June 2016. As a result of an IPO in August 2013, Z is now dual listed on the ASX and NZX and ranks in the NZX10.
Mike has accumulated 30 years of experience in the global energy industry with his expertise in supply, trading and marketing businesses covering both consumer and business to business segments. In 1983 he joined BP in New Zealand with his early roles being based in sales, marketing, information technology and finance. From 1992 to 2008 he served in various senior leadership roles for BP in South Africa, China, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
Mike is one of the founders and the convenor of the Climate Leaders Coalition, a group of over 100 companies representing approximately 60 per cent of New Zealand’s emissions. He has served as a Director of various private and public companies and joint ventures in Singapore, China and South Africa. He is presently a Director of Loyalty New Zealand Limited and the Chair of Punakaiki Funds Limited.
Mike holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Management. He graduated as a Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in Management from Massey University where he was recognised as a Massey Scholar.
John Berry
CEO and Director of Pathfinder Asset ManagementJohn is an advocate for responsible investment and for greater transparency around investment products. He is CEO (and co-founder) of Pathfinder Asset Management, a boutique fund manager specialising in ethical investment. Pathfinder manages a range of ethical funds and also the CareSaver KiwiSaver Scheme.
John is a trustee of the Men’s Health Trust NZ. He is also an independent director of Punakaiki Fund (an investor in NZ growth and tech businesses) and a member of the Financial Advice Code Working Group.
Barry Coates
Founder and CEO of Mindful MoneyBarry Coates is the founder and CEO of Mindful Money www.mindfulmoney.nz, a charity based in New Zealand, that aims to channel investment towards high social and environmental standards and positive impact. The objective is to significant increase the demand for responsible investment through social marketing and a dedicated online platform. Barry has been involved in responsible investment since the early 1990s and played a leading role in building demand for fair trade in NZ. He has a Masters from Yale University in management, experience as a business strategy consultant and has been the CEO of charities, most recently Oxfam New Zealand 2003-2014. He was a Green MP 2016-17
Jamie Coombs
Head of Market Development, Investing and Advisory, ASEAN and Pacific at RefinitivJamie is Head of Market Development for Refinitiv’s Investing and Advisory business across ASEAN and Pacific, specialising in Predictive Analytics, Economics and ESG and Sustainable Finance with an emphasis on Macro and Political data in the investment process.
Prior to this, he worked in Product Development (New York) within financial markets focusing on Workflow automation, Research Production and Macro forecasting within various Thomson Reuters business streams. Jamie has also worked as a Major Account Manager in the Natural Gas arm of Exxonmobil
Having worked with teams across the globe to drive business success, he brings a unique and transformative view to the challenges that regional organisations have. Jamie is passionate about sustainable investing in Asia, alternative data and the diversity, gender equality and inclusion that modern financial services require.
Jamie makes regular appearances at industry events, commenting on industry trends and regional macro focus. Most recently he spoke at the ASEAN Regulatory Summit in Singapore on the subject of Sentiment Analysis, and has worked with associations in Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand to introduce new workflows and technological solutions to the Banking, Asset Management and Academic communities.
Nick Dravitzki
Portfolio Manager at Devon Funds ManagementNick has been with Devon Funds Management since early in 2010 and is the portfolio manager for Dividend Yield Fund and the Diversified Income Fund. Prior to joining Devon, Nick was an analyst at NZ Funds Management Limited and assisted with portfolio construction and trading. Nick has a broad understanding of Trans-Tasman investment opportunities, having covered a wide range of stocks and sectors during his 14 years in the industry. Nick also has primary research responsibility for the Property, IT, Discretionary and Staples sectors.
Aaron Drew
Principal at MyFiduciary LimitedAaron is a Managing Director of MyFiduciary, a firm that provides investment governance training and support to trustees, advisers and investors in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Aaron serves a number of Boards and investment committees across the Iwi, charitable trust and foundation, KiwiSaver, and wealth management sectors.
Aaron’s background includes seven years for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund where he was a member of its Investment Committee and helped establish its Reference Portfolio, dynamic asset allocation, and thematic investment strategies. He has also previously worked as economist at the NZIER and the OECD in Paris, and as Manager of Research at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Joshua Edmunds
Manager of Operations and Member Services at Responsible Investment Association AustralasiaAs RIAA’s Manager of Operations and Member Services, Josh works across all areas of RIAA, back and front office. Josh is often the first point of contact for members and he provides support on many areas of RIAA's work plan, in particular working closely with RIAA’s financial adviser members. Josh holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws and a Diploma in Financial Planning.
Alan Fitzpatrick
Vice President, Product Specialist - Responsible Investment at BMO Global Asset ManagementAlan Fitzpatrick joined the firm in 2019 as Vice President, Product Specialist in the Responsible Investment team. He is responsible for overseeing the global delivery of our global reo® business with a particular focus on managing the relationships with a number of reo® clients. He was previously at Hermes EOS, which he joined in 2016, as Manager - Client Development, where he was responsible for managing the relationships with a number of global clients and assisting in the development of the client service offering. Prior to joining Hermes EOS, Alan was a Corporate Account Manager for leading UK property tax specialist, CVS. He has significant experience managing the relationships of strategic clients and developing a company’s service offering. For almost eight years, he also worked with one of Ireland’s leading life assurance companies, New Ireland Assurance, in a number of sales support and business development positions. Alan holds a BA in Marketing from the Marketing Institute of Ireland and has been awarded Professional Diplomas in Financial Advice and Retirement Planning by LIA in Dublin.
Natalia Fuentes
Senior Associate, Client Services at SustainalyticsNatalia Fuentes works with investors within the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on Australia and New Zealand. She works closely with clients across the region to help them integrate ESG and corporate governance research and data into their investment processes.
Prior to joining Sustainalytics, Natalia led the Client Solutions team for Morningstars’ institutional platform. For over six years, she supported asset managers and the adviser segment by providing solutions, such as access to a broad set of tools and research, to better analyse and monitor company and portfolio performance.
Natalia has a Bachelor of Business and Honours degree in Finance from the University of Technology Sydney.
Matthew Goldsack
Head of Investment Solutions at BT Funds Management (NZ) Limited (BT)Matthew leads the investment team at BT, a multi asset specialist and fund manager for the KiwiSaver investment funds offered through Westpac in New Zealand. Managing assets of over $14bn, the investment team manage domestic fixed interest and cash directly and operate a multi-manager platform for all other components of its underlying portfolios, utilising best in class investment specialists from within New Zealand and around the world. Matthew has been with BT for 11 years and his background includes 10 years at AXA Global Investors and Arcus Investment Management with roles in portfolio construction, investment research and manager selection.
Carly Hammond
Impact Investment Forum Program Manager at Responsible Investment Association AustralasiaCarly’s focus is on building business as force for good and harnessing the power of individuals to effect change whether as a consumer, business owner or investor. As Head of Marketing and the Impact Investment Forum Program Manager for the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, she is focused on growing awareness of and deepening participation in responsible, ethical and impact investing. She is also Company Secretary for B Lab Australia & New Zealand, and was previously the Director of Engagement and Communications at Impact Investing Australia where she played a central role putting impact investing on the map and engaging new market participants. Carly has extensive experience delivering campaigns and partnerships spanning the private, public and not for profit sectors in Australia, Asia and Africa. At Oxfam Australia, Carly designed award-winning campaigns for fairer international trade rules and generating consumer demand for fair trade products. For the Australian Conservation Foundation, Carly led communications and partnership development to promote the transition to an economy that delivers wellbeing alongside a healthy environment.
Aga Krzeczkowska
Investment Adviser at Hobson Wealth PartnersAga has over 13 years’ experience working in financial services gained in the United Kingdom and NZ.
In her last position, she was an Investment Manager at Cornelian Asset Managers in Edinburgh where she was responsible for providing investment advice and management of client portfolios.
At Hobson she manages customised investment portfolios for private clients, charities and trusts.
She is an AFA and qualified NZX Advisor. She holds a number of professional qualifications from the United Kingdom: Investment Management Certificate, Investment Advice Diploma and Certificate in Private Client Investment Advice and Management. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
Karen McLeod
Financial Adviser at Ethical Investment AdvisersAs an Authorised Representative of Ethical Investment Advisers, Karen McLeod holds the highest level of accreditation in Australia as a Certified Financial Planner TM (CFP). She also holds a Bachelor of Business (with Distinction). She is accredited by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) as a Certified Financial Adviser. Karen has served 6 years as a Board Member of RIAA and to the RIAA Certification Committee. Additionally, Karen is a member of the Ethical Advisers’ Co-operative and served as the Chairperson in 2014. She is also a member of the peak industry association in Australia, the Financial Planning Association (FPA). In 2009, the Australian Financial Review’s ‘Smart Investor’ magazine awarded Karen McLeod a place in their Master Class Top 50 Honour Roll (Australia wide). This achievement is based on her technical expertise. She has loved running her own practice in Brisbane for over 12 years.
Simon Millar
Executive Director of Pure AdvantageSimon is the Executive Director of Pure Advantage a national not for profit organization founded by business leaders and supported by a collective of researchers and experts who investigate and promote opportunities for NZ to fulfil its massive potential for green growth. The outputs of the work program flow through three primary channels – content, research and campaigns – and comprise a diverse range of activities.
Simon’s background includes two plus decades working in Hollywood as a Manager to multi-hyphenate clients and Producer or Executive Producer on Feature Film, TV or media projects. Trained in science and business at Otago Simon sought deeper purpose in his work in and completed postgraduate study at the University of California Los Angeles where he earned a Certificate in Global Sustainability (2009) as well as accreditation in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED GA) and Certification in Recycling and Resource Management from Santa Monica College. Simon completed Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in 2019.
Matthew Mimms
Managing Director of The Investment StoreMatthew Mimms is the Founder and Managing Director of The Investment Store. Matt has over 30 year's experience in financial services in both the UK and New Zealand. Immediately prior to establishing the Investment Store, Matt was head of Retail Sales and Service at BT Funds Management.
Matt has been integrally involved in the NZ investment and financial adviser industry for 20 years including a 2 year stint as Chair of the Auckland branch for the then named Financial Planners and Insurance Advisers Association. Matt is a strong advocate for responsible investing and is currently a board member of the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA).
He has a business degree from the University of Sheffield (UK) and a Diploma in Business Studies (personal financial planning) from Massey University.
Dr Jamie Newth
Lecturer in innovation and entrepreneurship at University of Auckland Business SchoolDr Jamie Newth is the founder and CEO of Soul Capital, New Zealand’s first specialist impact investment organization. Jamie is also a lecturer in innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland Business School where his research focuses on social innovation and impact investment. He sits on the National Advisory Board for Impact Investment in NZ, the Board of Ember Wellbeing Trust, a large community mental health provider, and chairs its ventures arm, Ember Innovations.
Brynn O'Brien
Executive Director of Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)Brynn is a lawyer with a background in human rights, global work and migration issues. She is an expert on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Her experience traverses both commercial and human rights law, and she has worked extensively in the field of human trafficking and slavery in global supply chains. Brynn holds a Master of Laws from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of Medical Science and Bachelor of Laws with first class honours from UTS.
Simon O'Connor
CEO of Responsible Investment Association Australasia- RIAA welcome & update on market
- NZ Sustainable Finance Forum
- Big Ideas, for the next ten years
- Dinner @ Fish Restaurant, Hilton Auckland
Simon operates at the intersection of economics, finance and sustainability and has extensive international experience as an economic adviser, investment analyst and sustainability consultant across finance, corporate and not for profit sectors.
Simon works with RIAA’s 240 member organisations with the goal of delivering on RIAA’s mission of promoting, advocating for, and supporting approaches to responsible investment that align capital with achieving a healthy and sustainable society, environment and economy.
Simon is active across the region and internationally in responsible investment and sustainable finance initiatives. He sits as Co-Chair of the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative, working group member of the NZ Sustainable Finance Forum, a member of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, the UN backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Australia Network Advisory Committee, as well as a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand.
Marian Poirier
Senior Managing Director of MFS Investment ManagementMarian Poirier, CFA, is a senior managing director at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). She joined MFS in 2012. In her role, she is responsible for managing the distribution team in Australia, as well as for institutional sales in the region.
For the previous ten years, Marian worked for BNP Paribas Investment Partners Australia, where she was co-head of institutional business for Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that, she spent four years with BNP Paribas Asset Management in Paris working in the quantitative equity team as an emerging market portfolio manager. She also served in client service and business development for asset management with Paribas Group Australia for four years.
Marian earned degrees in business and French from Queen's University Belfast and a Master of Finance degree from the University of Technology, Sydney. She was a board member of the New South Wales branch of Women in Super for ten years, concluding in 2015. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the CFA Society of Sydney (CFAS), where she currently sits on the board.
Our portfolio managers are supported by our entire team of investment professionals in nine worldwide offices. The team employs a proprietary investment process to build better insights for our clients. The core principles of our approach are integrated research, global collaboration and active risk management.
Rangimarie Price
CEO of Amokura Iwi Consortium LtdWhakatohea, Ngai Tai ki Torere, Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi
Despite qualifications in the accounting profession, Rangimarie has held a range of roles leading strategic and executive development and leadership in the public and not for profit sector, with a strong emphasis on sustainable Maori development. Rangimarie has been working in the Taitokerau collective iwi space for 15 years and is the CEO for Amokura Iwi Consortium Ltd which is an operational vehicle for collective Iwi engagement on matters of regional significance that are shared across Iwi. He Tangata, He Whenua, He Oranga – An Economic Growth Strategy for the Taitokerau Maori Economy, launched in February 2015, is a collective economic agenda shaped through a tikanga lens that Iwi developed and Amokura is driving. Rangimarie was its lead writer. The Taitokerau Maori economy is a developing economy that sits inside a developed regional economy. Policy and investment responses were not tailored to meet the needs of this type of economy. In the last year, Amokura with help from the Tindall Foundation and NZ’s top experts in impact investment and regenerative business models, has been looking to accelerate the development and deployment of impact-based investments in Northland that deliver both individually and as part of the wider system, a sustained higher standard of living (oranga) while enhancing the interdependent relationship between their tangata (people) and whenua (the planet).
Daryl Sisson
Managing Director, Pacific of RefinitivDaryl joined Reuters in 1997 and has held a number of senior management roles in Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. Prior to his current role Daryl led Australia and New Zealand for Thomson Reuters and Thomson Reuters Asia’s mid-market business. In addition to his day-to- day responsibilities, Daryl is the Chairman of the ASX Thomson Reuters Charity Foundation and a Director of Refinitiv Australia Pty, and Refinitiv NZ Limited. Prior to joining Reuters, Daryl worked at JP Morgan in London. Daryl has been a member of the Reuters, Thomson Reuters and Refinitiv Asia Leadership team for the past 10 years.
Daryl has over 25 years’ experience in sales and general management roles within the European and Asian financial services industries.
Daryl has a degree in Commerce, and has completed post graduate studies at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the University of Michigan, Cambridge Universities Institute for Sustainability Leadership and the University of Melbourne Centre for Ethical Leadership.
Daniel Smith
General Manager at CGI Glass LewisDan joined CGI Glass Lewis as Director of Research in 2014 and was appointed General Manager in 2015. Dan has over a decade of experience in stewardship and corporate governance advisory across several major markets, has published numerous studies and is a regular speaker on governance issues.
He currently leads CGI Glass Lewis’ Australian team, is responsible for positioning Glass Lewis to meet investors’ stewardship needs across the Asia Pacific region, and is a key contributor in Glass Lewis’ global executive team. Dan guides the research team’s corporate engagement activities, drawing on his experience of running hundreds of corporate engagement meetings with ASX-listed companies. He also leads CGI Glass Lewis’ stakeholder management initiatives, including liaising with regulators in Australia and across the region. Dan chairs the Corporate Engagement Working Group of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.
Dan is the Responsible Manager for CGI Glass Lewis’ Australian Financial Services Licence.
He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has a master’s degree from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where he studied international business.
Rodger Spiller
Managing Director of Money Matters (NZ) LtdRodger Spiller has been involved in responsible investment since the early 1980s. He has an outstanding track record in responsible investment research and advice and is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and knowledgeable personal investment practitioners.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Rodger completed a Master of Commerce (First Class Honours) and then a PhD in responsible investment and business. He led the managed funds and investment research firm IPAC, before establishing his own firm Money Matters. Rodger is an AFA and CFP, was voted Inaugural New Zealand Financial Planner of the Year and was the first New Zealand RIAA Certified Responsible Investment Adviser.
Rodger served as a Director of the Responsible Investment Association for over ten years, Member of the Securities Commission, Member of the Nominating Committee for the Guardians of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Chairman of the NZ Association for Investment Advisers and Financial Planners, Director of Transparency International (NZ) and Executive Director of the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development. He is a member of the Sustainable Finance Forum Technical Working Group.
He authored The Essential Guide to Financial Planning (CCH), several chapters for the Australasian book Ethical Investment, chapters for other local and internationally published books and academic along with practitioner articles.
Rebekah Swan
ESG Investment Specialist, NZ / Client Advocate / Head of Product at AMP Capital Investors (NZ) LimitedRebekah is the ESG Investment Specialist for New Zealand and also the Head of Product. As our ESG Investment Specialist she is actively involved with the ESG team at AMP Capital, the industry within New Zealand and is passionate for all things in responsible investment and corporate governance.
As a strong client advocate, she also manages the relationships with a number of AMP Capital's long-standing clients. In Rebekah’s Head of Product role, she has the responsibility for bringing new and innovative product solutions to the New Zealand market.
She is a member of the AMP Capital New Zealand Strategy team, and Management Team and the Australia and New Zealand Client Leadership Team, a member of the Responsible Investment Committee, the Financial Markets Conduct Committee and is a Director of AMP Investment Management. She is also a member of the New Zealand Governance and the Sustainable Finance Forum Technical Working Group.
Rebekah also holds a number of not for profit board roles outside of AMP Capital and is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
Rebecca Thomas
CEO of Mint Asset ManagementRebecca founded Mint in 2006. She has a strong pedigree in funds management, with a career spanning 30 years, both in New Zealand and offshore.
Her previous executive positions include Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Johnson Fry, a London-based funds management firm, acquired by Legg Mason, where she went on to hold the position of Group Chief Executive Officer. On moving to New Zealand she became Chief Investment Officer for ING (NZ) Limited.
Rebecca has been a Director and Chair of the AFRC of KiwiRail Holding Limited and an Associate member and AFRC Chair on the Board of the Financial Markets Authority from 2011-2016. She has also held several non-executive directorships for investment and property trusts, including Pathfinder Development Companies and LMI European Utilities Investment Trust Plc.
Rebecca is a member of the Institute of Directors of both New Zealand and London, as well as a member of the Securities and Investment Institute of London. She has completed examinations for the UK Institute of Investment Management and Research and the London Stock Exchange.
As CEO, Rebecca is responsible for the management of Mint, working closely with the executive team and Board to achieve the vision that drove her to establish the firm and continues to drive it forward.
Dennis Turton
Chief Executive at Trust WaikatoDennis’ significant senior management experience puts him in good stead, as Trust Waikato’s Chief Executive, to provide vision, direction and support to the Trust. He also plays an important part in the philanthropic sector at a local and national level, representing the Trust’s views on sector issues and dialogue, and upholding the interests of the communities it serves.
“For me, it was seeing the significant impact that Trust Waikato can have in the region that drew me to work here. There is great work being carried out in our communities and supporting that work is incredibly fulfilling,” says Dennis.
Dennis’ other community involvement includes as a committee member at local and national level for the Child Cancer Foundation.
Jorge Waayman
Investment Analyst at Harbour Asset ManagementAs an Investment Analyst, Jorge is responsible for Harbour’s ESG programme and proxy voting, including research and implementation. Harbour’s primary ESG tool, the annual Corporate Behaviour Survey, is overseen by Jorge in conjunction with Head of Research Kevin Bennett. He also supports the wider equity team with portfolio operations and quantitative analysis; in particular, database development and portfolio analytics. Jorge began at Harbour in 2016. He completed his first class BCom (Hons) degree in Finance at Victoria University Wellington.
Matt Whineray
Chief Executive Office at New Zealand Superannuation FundResponsible for general management of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund under delegation from the Board.
Matt was appointed Chief Executive Officer 1 July 2018.
Matt joined the Guardians in May 2008 as General Manager, Private Markets. In 2014 Matt became Chief Investment Officer overseeing the Investments Group, responsible for the Fund’s portfolio construction and investment activity in listed and unlisted markets, both directly and through investment managers. Matt’s achievements in this role included the development of the Fund’s climate change investment strategy, risk allocation process and risk budget framework, along with the strengthening of the Guardians’ New Zealand and international direct investment capabilities.
Before joining the Guardians, Matt was at Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) where he was Head of Financial Sponsor Coverage for non- Japan Asia. Prior to this, he was a Managing Director at First NZ Capital in New Zealand and a Vice President at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York. Matt began his career as a Barrister and Solicitor with Russell McVeagh in Auckland.
Matt is a member of Focusing Capital on the Long Term, a Director of Netball New Zealand and Co-Chair of the Aotearoa Circle’s Sustainable Finance Forum. Matt has previously served as a member of the World Economic Forum General Agenda Council on the Future of Investing, and as Chair of the InZone Education Foundation.