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Matt Whineray
Chief Executive Officer at Guardians of New Zealand SuperannuationMatt is Co-Chair of the Aotearoa Circle's Sustainable Finance Forum. Matt was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Guardians in July 2018. He is responsible for the general management of the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund under delegation from the Board.
Matt is a Board member of the Centre for Sustainable Finance: Toitū Tahua and a Director of Netball New Zealand. 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.
Jodi Hayward
Chief Executive Officer at Te Pai Roa Tika o te TaitokerauJodi is of Ngapuhi, Te Rarawa descent.
As the CEO of Te Pai Roa Tika o te Taitokerau, Jodi leads a large scale, Māori owned and led impact investment kaupapa. Prior to this role she was Senior Regional Advisor to the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), for the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and Te Puni Kokiri (TPK). In these roles Jodi enabled deployment of $300m through the PGF Tai Tokerau communities implementing long term social and economic development initiatives.
Jodi led the Taitokerau regional labour market strategy and work programme for the region for the Ministry of Social Development, working closely with politicians, senior central and local government officials, to develop youth employment and social policy.
Tawa Campbell Seymour
Pouhoe | Executive Manager at ASB Group Investments LimitedTawa is a member of Te Waka Whaihua, ASB Bank’s Māori banking team and is passionate about accelerating the wellbeing and prosperity of Māori communities through a kaupapa Māori approach to business. That is, using a Māori values approach to doing business. Embedding values such as whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga will enable a more balanced approach to social, cultural, environmental, and economic outcomes.
Kate Turner
Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier InvestorsKate Tuner is an influential voice in the Responsible Investing space, leading a global team of specialists and driving policy reform through collaborative industry initiatives. She is passionate about the potential of the investment sector to support positive change. Her roles include Chair of the Steering Group for Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking APAC, and membership of the RIAA Human Rights Working Group.
Temuera Hall
Director of TAHITO LtdTemuera is an experienced investment professional and a professional director, with 25+ years experienced, representing on both private and public sector boards. Tem specialises in indigenous and pan-tribal collaborations, investment partnerships, funds management, and governance including executive leadership.
Temuera has been involved in business development, asset management and investment advice since 1994. He continues to bring his experience and knowledge of indigenous Māori values and principles in to his governance business management, private equity and funds management roles. Temuera has led or played a key leadership role in numerous significant investment collaborations and partnerships with Māori Asset Holding entities. His expertise also incorporates instilling organisational values and culture, driving “kaupapa based” investment strategies and building enduring relationships.
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.
Helen Skinner
Head of Responsible Investment at ANZ New Zealand Investment LimitedHelen leads Responsible Investment across ANZ Investments ~$34bn of assets under management*. She has over 25 years of experience in the investments industry, holding various senior roles in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
She’s passionate about sustainability and responsible investment with over 15 years’ experience in this field. She sits on the RIAA Nature Working Group and the RIAA First Nations Peoples’ Rights Working Group. She joined ANZ in 2022 after almost five years at Craigs Investment Partners where most recently she was Head of Emerging Wealth.
Helen is a member of the Institute of Directors and a certified member of INFINZ.
*as at 31 May 2023 $33.8bn AUM
Paul Gregory
Executive Director - Response & Enforcement of Financial Markets Authority- Greenwashing: a view from the regulator
- The role of third-party verification in the fight against greenwashing
I am pleased to be speaking at RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2023.
New Zealand investors increasingly assume their values are considered by the firms they invest with. Some are prepared to pay more, or even to accept lower returns, for investments reflecting social and environmental issues they care about. For a regulator, investment firms trying to attract such investors should clearly explain and deliver on any claims they make to be sustainable, responsible or ethical. If not, they risk misleading their investors – greenwashing – and attracting regulatory intervention. In this session, you’ll hear what the regulator does and doesn’t focus on when looking at greenwashing. We will also discuss how our greenwashing work is developing as the regulatory landscape expands to include compulsory and voluntary standards, local and international. And we will describe how we think, and how we believe investment firms can usefully think, about the complexity of managing member interests alongside exclusions.
April Mackenzie
Chief Executive at External Reporting BoardApril joined the External Reporting Board (XRB) as Chief Executive in December 2019 and is responsible for leading the organisation to achieve its mission and strategic objectives. This includes oversight of the XRB's operations, people, policies, processes, and governance. The External Reporting Board (XRB) helps maintain trust and confidence, accountability, and transparency across the private, public, and not-for profit sectors through the delivery of high-quality accounting, audit and assurance, and climate reporting standards. April has extensive experience in external reporting and standard setting both in New Zealand and internationally.
Dean Hegarty
Executive Manager at RIAADean 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.
Calida Stuart-Menteath
Co-editor at National Business ReviewCalida became co-editor in May 2022 and has been a journalist with NBR since mid-2014, predominantly covering capital markets.
She won New Zealand Journalist of the Year in the 2021 Citi Journalism Awards for Excellence, and earlier won 2019’s Voyager business journalist of the year.
Calida holds arts and law degrees from the University of Otago, and a journalism post-grad diploma from AUT University.
James Kilty
Chief Executive at PowercoJames joined Powerco in October 2021 and has overall responsibility for all of Powerco’s customer, financial and operational activities.
James has a First Class Law Degree and practiced in M&A and Commercial Law before joining the energy industry. He is currently Chair of the NZ Electricity CEO Forum, is on the Board of the Electricity Networks Association, the NZ Hydrogen Council, and is Co-Chair of the Champions for Change work programme targeted at attracting a more diverse workforce into the energy sector in NZ.
James has held senior executive roles across electricity generation, energy wholesale markets, and energy retailing in his 20 years in the industry. Prior to joining Powerco, James was Deputy Chief Executive at Contact Energy, was on the Board of Simply Energy, and was Chair of Western Energy Services.
Jessica Cairns
Head of ESG and Sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management LimitedJessica is the Head of ESG and Sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management. She has been in this role for nearly 3 years and has over 13 years’ experience in the fields of environmental management, corporate sustainability and infrastructure. At Alphinity, Jess is responsible for the firm-wide approach to ESG integration, company engagement and stewardship, ESG research and thought leadership, and the sustainability analysis for Alphinity’s two sustainable funds. She works side by side with the investment team to analyse and integrate ESG and sustainability considerations into their decision making and participates in around 200 ESG focussed company meetings a year.
Neal Barclay
Chief Executive at Meridian EnergyNeal became Chief Executive (CE) of Meridian Energy in January 2018.
He has held a number of Executive Leadership roles within Meridian since he joined in 2008 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to taking up the CE role, Neal was General Manager for Meridian’s retail business, responsible for leading the marketing, sales, service and operational support functions tasked with delivering an exceptional experience to our customers.
Before taking on the Retail role, Neal was General Manager Markets and Production, responsible for Meridian’s hydro and wind electricity generation assets and wholesale business.
Prior to joining Meridian, Neal held a number of senior finance and leadership roles in a 13-year career with Telecom NZ Ltd.
Katie Beith
Head of ESG at Forsyth BarrKatie has been in the Responsible Investment industry for almost 20 years, with the first part of her career spent overseas, predominantly in the UK. On returning to New Zealand in 2015, she joined New Zealand Super Fund as a Senior Investment Strategist for Responsible Investment. In November 2021, Katie joined Forsyth Barr as the Head of ESG where she is responsible for incorporating ESG (environment, social and governance) principles into Forsyth Barr’s firm-wide operations and investment process, including assisting advisers with specific client needs. Katie currently serves on the External Reporting Board’s Stakeholder Advisory Panel (XRAP), is Deputy Chair of the NZ National Advisory Board for Impact Investing and is also on the Investment Committee for NZ impact investor, Purpose Capital.
Nicola Swan
Partner at Chapman TrippNicola is a Partner in Chapman Tripp’s Dispute Resolution and Climate Risk practices based in Wellington. She has a significant focus on climate change risk and reporting and is recognised as a thought-leader in this area.
Nicola has particular expertise in climate related disclosure (CRD) reporting implementation, having advised New Zealand insurers, banks, fund managers and listed issuers on climate risk assessment, reporting and litigation risk. Nicola is also regularly approached to develop ESG policies, codes of conduct, and to advise on sustainability governance.
In the last three years, Nicola has co-authored New Zealand legal opinions on fiduciary duties and obligations on boards of directors, fund managers and trustees to consider climate and nature-related risk to businesses and investments, and guidance for company directors for management of climate risk.
Pablo Berrutti
Senior Investment Specialist at Stewart InvestorsPablo is a senior investment specialist at Stewart Investors, a dedicated sustainable development focused, listed-equities manager. He is also the co-founder and managing director of Altiorem, a not-for-profit library and resource centre dedicated to supporting advocates for a sustainable financial system, and a member of the advisory committee to UNSW’s Human Rights Institute. Previously, Pablo was Head of Responsible Investment Asia Pacific at Colonial First State Global Asset Management (now First Sentier Investors) and Perpetual Limited. Pablo served as a director of the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia for ten years and was chair for six. Pablo has also served on the management committee of the Investor Group on Climate Change and the coordinating working group of the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative, among other industry initiatives.
Shalini Samuel
Head of Certification & Ratings at RIAAWith a combined 10 years of experience in ESG investment and certification of financial services entities, Shalini is accountable for the management and delivery of RIAA's Certification Program, Sustainability Ratings and associated projects.
Prior to joining RIAA, Shalini held various roles with organisations including B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, Minderoo Foundation – Walk Free, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment. Her experience also extends to policy guidance for corporate reporting, as she represented institutional investor interests on the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department Working Group on Human Trafficking and Slavery in Supply Chains.
Dean Anderson
Founder & CE of Kernel Wealth LimitedDean is committed to helping ambitious individuals achieve financial freedom through the creation of innovative financial products. After spending five years as Head of Product at a large ETF provider where he was involved in creating, launching, and developing index funds, Dean saw there was an opportunity to create better options for investors. Taking a fresh approach to the investment sector, he created Kernel – a personal finance platform where innovation meets investment.
Michael Aked
Senior Investment Specialist at Scientific Beta Pte LtdMike Aked is a Senior Investment Strategist for Scientific Beta. At Scientific Beta, Mike undertakes Australian-based research on ESG and investment factor-based topics. Mike Aked was previously Partner, Head of Research - Australia and Global Head of Asset Allocation with Research Affiliates. He has also worked with the University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO), Sunsuper, and UBS Global Asset Management across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. Mike has a wealth of academic and practical experience in fundamental, quantitative and factor investing across both single and multi-asset class frameworks.
Arti Prasad
RIAA Board Member & Pacific Client Lead at Mercer- Te Ao Māori, the Aotearoa NZ Stewardship Code and Māori-led investment: RIAA's First Nations Peoples' Rights Working Group
- Official close of conference & Karakia
Arti Prasad is a Senior Investment Strategist for the Guardians of NZ Superannuation, Crown entity that manages the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Arti works on the development and implementation of the Guardians’ Responsible Investment, climate change and corporate governance policies. Arti has been with the Guardians since 2017, following two years with the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) as Head of Responsible Investment. Prior to that she worked for the Guardians as a Senior ESG Analyst and as a Senior Policy Analyst at the NZ Ministry for Environment, working on policy related to business sustainability, water and climate change. Arti is currently involved with the Government’s Leadership Advisory Group on developing a legislative response to modern slavery in New Zealand.
In 2014 she was named one of Chief Investment Officer magazine’s ’Top 40 under 40’ in the asset allocation world.
Andrew Knight
Chief Executive at Gas Industry CoAndrew Knight commenced as Chief Executive of Gas Industry Co in March 2018.
Prior to that Andrew was the Managing Director and Chief Executive of New Zealand Oil & Gas (NZOG) and was on the Gas Industry Co Board from 2012 to 2016.
He has also previously held executive management roles with Vector Limited, the NGC Holdings Limited Group of Companies, The Australian Gas Light Company and Fletcher Challenge Energy. Mr Knight’s early career was spent as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand.
Dr Zsuzsa Banhalmi-Zakar
Manager of Research at RIAA- Making RI Accessible: What you need to know as you start your journey into RI
- Target Setting Workshop
Zsuzsa joins RIAA as Manager, Research. Her role will be took look after the research efforts of the organisation, which includes 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 EYPip is an EY Partner 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 from 2019 up until the launch of the Centre for Sustainable Finance in July 2021.
Prior to joining EY, Pip worked for a derivatives trading desk at ANZ Bank in Melbourne and London. Pip holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is a board member of the Carbon Markets Institute.
Kate Brownsey
ESG Analyst at Pathfinder Asset ManagementKate is an ESG Analyst at Pathfinder Asset Management, helping to develop and implement Pathfinder’s ethical investment strategy. With an interest in global change and sustainability, she is passionate about driving the transformation of the financial system to one that is inclusive, stakeholder-centred and aligned with sustainable development. Kate joined the Pathfinder team in 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Science from Massey University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science from AUT.
Måns Carlsson OAM
Head of ESG at Ausbil Investment Management LimitedMåns is Head of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Research at Ausbil Investment Management Limited since September 2015. Prior to that, he was Senior ESG Research Analyst at AMP Capital for almost five years, following positions at Carnegie Investment Bank, Macquarie Bank and Accenture. With more than a decade of experience in the investment industry, including ten years in various responsible investment / ESG roles, Måns is well known for producing and presenting consistent, high-quality ESG research covering the Australian market and he has also published numerous, highly regarded insight papers on a wide range of ESG issues, including human rights and modern slavery. Måns is a member of the Retailer Supplier Roundtable Sustainability Council’s Forced Labour Advisory Council and the PRI Australia Network Advisory Committee. He holds an MBA International with Distinction from Griffith University and a Master of Financial Management from Gothenburg School of Business
Carey Church
Ethical Investments Adviser at Moneyworks NZ LtdCarey is a RIAA Certified Ethical Adviser, and holds the UNPRI Applied Responsible Investing Certificate. Carey has led the transition of Moneyworks to being Ethical Investment Advisers, developing the unique and proprietary Ethical Investment Analysis process and undertaking extensive analysis and research on the recommended fund managers.
Carey Church and Moneyworks were co-winners of the 2023 Best Ethical Financial Adviser award, having previously sponsored the awards in 2021 and 2022. Carey has also been a judge of the Awards in 2022 and 2023.
Carey has worked with her financial planning and investment advice clients since 1997, prior to that she worked with a range of investment and insurance companies in Australia and New Zealand.
Carey holds a LLB (Hons-1st), BXc, GradDipFin(Finsia), Dipl Bus (Personal Financial Planning), UNPRI Applied Responsible Investing Certificate and is a CFP and CLU.
Damian Corbett-Lad
Senior Analyst, Business Development at New Forests Pty LtdDamian Corbett-Lad is a Senior Analyst for the Business Development team at New Forests. At New Forests, Damian evaluates, develops, and manages investments across a range of nature-based real assets and natural capital strategies.
Prior to New Forests, Damian has worked across forestry consultancies and in science and technology development for the forestry, wood product, wood-derived materials, and other biomaterial sectors. A forester by training, Damian holds a Bachelors of Forestry Science and Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Canterbury.
Andrew Davies
Chief Executive Officer at B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New ZealandAs CEO of B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, Andrew Davies is responsible for leading the strategy and growth of the B Corp community and movement in this region.
Andrew joined B Lab as CEO in 2019 following more than twenty years of experience spanning commercial law practice and executive management roles. With diverse experience across large and small business, from start-ups to ASX-listed companies, Andrew is passionate about the powerful role that all businesses have to be a force for good for people, the planet, and communities.
Guy Williams
Member of the TNFD Taskforce and Executive Director at Pollination Capital Partners Pty LimitedGuy Williams joins Pollination as an Executive Director in our advisory team. Guy brings over 20 years’ experience at the leading edge of industry innovation and strategy in biodiversity and natural capital. Prior to joining Pollination, Guy held global roles at some of the largest consulting and advisory firms, as well as being an integral part in the development of many nature-related frameworks and standards such as the TNFD and SBTN. Guy possesses a deep interest in primate conservation, and the use of digital media and community-led storytelling to support effective conservation strategies.
Angus Dennis
Investment Director of Australian Ethical Investment LtdAngus joined Australian Ethical in January 2022 as an Investment Director. He has over 25 years experience in investment management with a particular focus on ethical / responsible investment funds for much of that time. Prior to joining Australian Ethical, Angus worked at both Vanguard and AMP Capital in roles across institutional, investment management and product development. In his career Angus has been involved with ethical / responsible investment funds across a breadth of asset sectors and diversified strategies.
Angus has degrees in Economics and Law from the University of Sydney, is a Fellow of FINSIA, and is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. He has also completed the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership course: “Business and Climate Change: Towards Net Zero Emissions”.
At an industry level, Angus was involved in the development of the Responsible Investment Certification Program for the sector’s peak body, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.
Jono Broome
Associate Director, Client Advisory of Sustainalytics, a Morningstar CompanyJono is an Associate Director of Client Relations at Morningstar Sustainalytics and has recently transferred to oversee the APAC Client Advisory team after 8 years in the United Kingdom, including five with Sustainalytics. During this time he worked as the lead Advisor for some of Morningstar Sustainalytics’ largest clients internationally, and has spent the last two years focusing on Sustainalytics’ commercial strategy for data on EU regulatory requirements such as SFDR and the EU Taxonomy.
James Harwood
Senior Portfolio Manager, Australasian Equities & ESG Strategies at Russell InvestmentsJames is a portfolio manager for Russell Investments Australian and NZ Shares multi-manager funds. This includes the Russell Investments Sustainable Global Shares Fund. He is a Director of Russell Investment Management Ltd.
James is a member of the Russell Investments’ Responsible Investing Council and the Chair of the Responsible Investment Committee for Russell Australian Responsible Investing ETF, listed on the ASX. He has played a key role developing and managing a suite of client’s low carbon equity strategies.
James has extensive global industry experience. He has been involved in global equity and derivatives trading since 1998 and was Head of Trading at F&C Asset Management in London where he spent 7 years in senior portfolio management and trading positions. Prior to joining Russell Investments, James spent 6 years at Deutsche Bank working in the bank’s London, Singapore and Sydney offices in equity sales related positions. James joined Russell Investments in 2013.
Peter Lee
Principal at Ethical Investing NZ LtdEthical Investing NZ works with passionate, values-focused people and organisations, helping them to make smart decisions about their money. We provide strategic and integrated solutions in responsible and ethical investment, financial planning, insurance and employee benefits.
Founder and principal Peter Lee has over 30 years experience in financial services including as CEO of the Institute of Financial Advisers. He has developed and launched two responsible investment funds, including an ethical KiwiSaver fund, was a founder director of the Sustainable Business Network, and has been a board member of several nonprofits.
Greg Liddell
Director - Responsible Investment of BetasharesPrior to joining Betashares, Greg was the Executive Manager Investment Sustainability at Suncorp where he drafted the first Responsible Investment Policy for the Suncorp Group and was responsible for implementation all aspects of responsible investment. Greg was a member of Suncorp’s Climate Change Action Plan Working Group and was involved in setting Suncorp’s strategy for the management of climate change risk.
Prior to Suncorp, Greg was the Director of Consulting & Advisory Services at Russell Investments and the Director of Implemented Equities at QIC. Greg spent 10 years at Mercer Investment Consulting as a consultant and was Head of Manager Research for Australian & New Zealand.
Greg is a past Director of the Investment Management Consultants Institute (IMCA - now the Investment & Wealth Institute) and member of the Management Committee of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) for five years.
Dr Marnie Lloydd
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of WellingtonDr Marnie Lloydd specialises in international law related to armed conflict, forced migration, human rights and humanitarian law and policy.
Marnie was recognised as a Women Leader in Law by the Borrin Foundation in 2022, and has been selected as a Global Scholar with Harvard Law School's Institute of Global Law and Policy in 2018 & 2022. She is Associate-Director of the New Zealand Centre for Public Law and serves on New Zealand's IHL Committee, Inter-governmental Working Group on Lethal Autonomous Weapons, Board of Experts for the Asia-Pacific Journal of International Humanitarian Law, Editorial Committee of the New Zealand Journal of Public and International Law and as Co-Chair of ANZSIL's International Peace & Security Interest Group.
At VUW, she teaches law of armed conflict, citizenship, immigration and refugee law, global studies, legal ethics and special topics in human rights, counterterrorism law and humanitarianism. She supports international law moot court competitions as a coach and judge. In 2022, she was awarded VUW's student association's 'Lecturer of the Year' award for her teaching and honourable mention from the postgraduate students association for her research supervision.
Marnie has extensive prior experience as a Delegate and Legal Adviser with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), representing the ICRC in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Chad, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as at the Geneva headquarters where she advised on international law and institutional humanitarian policy in support of the ICRC's activities in the Middle East. Marnie also has prior experience in refugee law, minority rights and commercial law, having worked as a legal consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), legal researcher with the European Centre for Minority Issues (Germany) and solicitor at Kensington Swan (Wellington). Marnie has taught and spoken on issues of international humanitarian law and the humanitarian sector, foreign fighting, arms control and humanitarian affairs with diverse audiences around the world, including UN staff, diplomats and military legal advisers.
Lucy Martin
Vice President, Responsible Investment Product Specialist at Columbia Threadneedle InvestmentsLucy Martin is a Product Specialist on Columbia Threadneedle’s Responsible Investment team. Having relocated to Singapore, Lucy focuses on the Responsible Investment business across the Asia Pacific region, from promoting our leadership in active ownership and ESG-integrated funds to advancing our stewardship overlay service, reo®.
Lucy brings client & distribution experience, having previously worked as an associate relationship manager for LDI and multi asset clients in the UK Institutional Sales business in London. She joined Columbia Threadneedle through the acquisition of BMO GAM (EMEA) in 2021, having been with the firm since 2018.
She holds a BSc from Newcastle University, the Investment Management Certificate and the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Joshua Edmunds
Manager of Member Services at RIAAAs 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.
Matt Mimms
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.
Greg Munford
Senior Investment Strategist, Sustainable Investment at Guardians of New Zealand SuperannuationGreg Munford is a Senior Investment Strategist with the Sustainable Investment team at the Guardians.
With over 15 years in the climate, energy, agriculture, forestry, water and transport sectors spanning New Zealand, Asia, Pacific, Europe and the Americas, Greg has led dozens of successful environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives with national and international partners, across investment, business, government and multilateral institutions.
Greg brings this experience and cross-disciplinary training in physical and social/policy sciences to bear in addressing the NZ Super Fund's risks, opportunities and reporting requirements across the climate, nature and broader ESG spectrum.
Madeline Newman
Executive Director of AI Forum New Zealand Te Kahui Atamai Iahiko o AoteraoaMadeline joined the AI Forum as Executive Director in 2022. She has extensive experience in strategy, transformational change and helping people to see the potential that innovative technologies bring.
“I am very excited be leading the AI Forum of New Zealand as Executive Director at such a pivotal time. We have a really engaged Executive Council and the work our members are producing is essential for a prosperous, equitable and inclusive future Aotearoa”
Originally from New Zealand, Madeline spent 20 years working with AI and Tech in the mental health, financial services and regulatory sectors in the UK. Her more recent work included helping to shape and deliver the Financial Conduct Authority’s internationally renowned RegTech innovation programme; and Head of Innovation and Product for a science based digital mental health service. She brings new thinking and international to our AI community.
Simon O'Connor
CEO of RIAASimon 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 500+ 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 an advisory member to the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute, working group member of the Toitū Tahua Centre for Sustainable Finance, Chair of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, as well as a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand.
Ross Piper
Chair of RIAA Board & Chief Executive Superannuation at Australian Ethical Investment LtdRoss Piper is the Chief Executive Superannuation at Australian Ethical, an $8 billion superannuation fund with over 100,000 members across Australia. He has over 25 years of leadership and management experience in corporate and non-profit contexts. Prior to Ross’ appointment with Australian Ethical, he was CEO of Christian Super for 5 years. He also served with World Vision International for several years in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and various countries of the former Yugoslavia.
During his career Ross has held a number of positions in the corporate sector, primarily in investment banking and mining. He was Head of Corporate Risk for Macquarie Bank for several years, and his early professional experience was gained in Indigenous communities and the mining sector, where he worked in the area of training and community development. For six years he served as a Director and Founding Chair of AgroInvest, a large microfinance bank serving rural families in Serbia and Montenegro, and currently sits on various other boards for organisations focused on social enterprise and technology. He is currently Chair of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (www.responsibleinvestment.org).
Melissa Platt
Director/ Senior Analyst, Wealth Management Research of Forsyth BarrMelissa Platt joined Forsyth Barr in 2022 as a Director/Senior Analyst in Wealth Management Research.
Melissa has over twenty years’ experience in the financial services industry and has worked as a portfolio manager and equity analyst in London in a global, private investment management firm for over 17 years.
Melissa has a Bachelor of Applied Economics and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons) majoring in Financial Economics from Massey University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
Dr John Reid
Senior Researcher at University of CanterburyFor more than 20 years, John has worked with iwi on sustainable enterprise initiatives. Currently, he is leading research with iwi and Māori agribusinesses in the design and build of environmental intelligence platforms using advanced technologies like remote sensing and artificial intelligence. His goal is to provide iwi with real-time information about the environmental conditions in their territories (rohe) and offer Māori businesses in the primary sector with the essential data needed to operate according to their values. John is the director of his company Earth Quotient, and a Senior Research Fellow at Kā Waimaero the Office of Treaty Settlement at the University of Canterbury. He is also an associate editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Alastair Rhodes
CEO of BayTrustAlastair Rhodes was appointed Chief Executive of BayTrust in 2015. BayTrust has a current investment portfolio of ~$220m of assets and has recently committed to allocating 6% of its investment base to Impact Investments with this allocation raising to 10% if sufficient opportunities are identified. Prior to his appointment, Alastair has held senior executive roles in the aviation and consulting industries and has a background in legal, commercial and strategy.
Alastair has helped BayTrust to take a leadership position on impact investment in NZ with current concessionary impact investments totalling $4m and due diligence well underway on another $5m of non-concessionary impact investments throughout the BOP.
Alastair has a passion for the benefits associated from impact investing, both from the positive social returns and also the ability for this asset class to help compliment and diversify an overall investment portfolio through driving non correlated and acceptable risk adjusted commercial returns. Long term he has the ambition for the Trusts entire investment portfolio to not just drive the appropriate risk adjusted financial return but to also to do good at the same time with the view that this will not only produce positive social returns but also superior long term financial performance.
Susan Rodgers
Director Business Development of Scientific Beta Pte LtdSusan Rodgers is Scientific Beta’s Director of Business Development, Australia and New Zealand. At Scientific Beta, Susan is responsible for building client relationships and developing opportunities in the region. Susan was previously Vice President/Senior Account Executive at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) in Australia. Previously Susan has worked in the UK with SSGA and BZW Investment Management, and with Bankers Trust Asset Management in Australia. Susan brings a successful track record plus extensive experience and knowledge of the institutional investment industry to Scientific Beta.
Charlotte Rutherford
Director of Sustainability at FonterraCharlotte Rutherford is the Director of Sustainability at Fonterra . She has spent 20 years supporting and driving how the Co-operative tackles sustainability opportunities and challenges. Her time at Fonterra has seen her leading Fonterra’s 9,000 dairy farming families to be world leading in their sustainability practices, reporting and ambitions through unique change management initiatives including delivering Fonterra’s world class Farm Environment Plan Service, Farm Insight Reports and the Co-operative Difference. Charlotte has led the teams responsible for water, climate, research and development, animal welfare and food safety for New Zealand’s largest dairy processor.
Charlotte is currently working closely with Fonterra’s customers to ensure the Co-operatives strategic ambition to lead in sustainability is realised on the global stage.
Sarah Salmond
Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWattsSarah Salmond is a Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts with more than 20 years’ experience of providing clear, commercial and astute advice on a wide range of public, regulatory and international trade law matters. A specialist in enabling her clients to address the challenges associated with moving goods, services and capital across national borders, Sarah is the only lawyer from a major New Zealand law firm recognised for Trade Law by The Best Lawyers™ in New Zealand. She has particular expertise in the areas of sanctions and modern slavery. Sarah is also a leading provider of public law, regulatory and government relations advice. Her team is ranked Band 1 for Public Law by Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023 and she is personally ranked for Government Practice by the Best Lawyers™ in New Zealand. She specialises in assisting private sector clients with complex, sensitive, and often high-profile matters. Sarah is a Director of AmCham New Zealand and a Board Member of the New Zealand International Business Forum.
Michael Salvatico
Head of Asia, Pacific, Middle East & Africa ESG Solutions, at S&P Global Sustainable1Michael Salvatico leads environmental, social and governance (ESG) business development in Asia, Pacific, Middle East & Africa for S&P Global Sustainable1, based in Sydney. For more than a decade Michael has been providing sustainable solutions to investors, banks, corporates, regulators, governments and academics. Michael works with these organisations to understand and better Benchmark, Report, Engage, Analyse and Model ESG risks and opportunities across their organisations. Over this time, a key focus has been climate change impacts on global economies, corporates and financial institutions, with deep experience in de-risking portfolios, identifying opportunities and reporting on baseline footprinting and scenario analysis.
Michael regularly presents at events and has been and continues to be involved in ESG initiatives including, ASFI Technical Working Group – Enhancing sustainability/resilience/stability of the financial system, PRI Fixed Income Working Group, Willoughby Council Sustainability Reference Group, IGCC - Policy Advocacy Working Group, AIGCC - Physical Risks & Resilience Working Group, HKGFA - ESG Disclosure and Integration Working Group.
Prior to joining S&P Global Sustainable1, Michael led Asia Pacific ESG Business Development for Trucost, part of S&P Global. Michael was an Executive Director at MSCI Inc. and oversaw the company’s ESG Research in Australia and New Zealand. His career experience involves working in portfolio analytics, quantitative investment analysis and ESG research. Before MSCI Inc., he was part of the highly rated research team at Bank of America - Merrill Lynch where he was head of Emerging Markets quantitative analysis.
Michael received a Master of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia, and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales.
Justine Sefton
Deputy-Chair at Impact Investing Network Aotearoa NZJustine Sefton is an independent consultant specialising in sustainable finance and impact investing. She works with individual organisations as well as contributing to broader ecosystem building.
Justine is a non-Executive Director of the ASB Group Investments Board and a non-Executive Member of the ASB Investment Committee. She has experience across funds management, banking, corporate and government sectors – including with KPMG NZ, Guardians of NZ Super, NZ Treasury, Toitū Tahua Centre for Sustainable Finance, Mindful Money and Camco Ltd.
She is a Deputy-Chair of the Impact Investing Network Aotearoa NZ and was a key contributor to The Aotearoa Circle’s Sustainable Finance Forum and its 2030 Roadmap.
Justine was formerly a UNFCCC negotiator for New Zealand and worked on a range of international climate finance and carbon markets projects for developing countries.
Craig Stent
Head of Equities at Harbour Asset ManagementCraig is Head of Equities, a founder of Harbour, and the portfolio manager for the Harbour Australasian Equity Income Fund, the Harbour Long Short Fund, the Harbour NZ Index Shares Fund and the Harbour Sustainable NZ Shares Fund. Craig also has overall responsibility for managing the equity team. Furthermore, he provides equity research and ratings on the utility sector. Prior to joining Harbour Asset Management, Craig was employed by AllianceBernstein New Zealand for seven years. Craig has a BCA from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholder.
Rebekah Swan
Responsible Investment Adviser at Fisher Funds Management LimitedRebekah Swan is a highly experienced senior financial markets and funds management leader with a passion for making a real impact. With over 25 years of experience in investment markets and over 10 years’ experience in the Responsible Investment sector both domestically and in Australia, Rebekah is a leader in the industry. Her expertise in investment markets, combined with strong leadership skills and a customer focus, have helped develop teams and lead businesses through change and deliver results. As a skilled governance professional, Rebekah has been instrumental in promoting ethical investment practices, polices and has contributed to industry engagements.
At Fisher Funds Rebekah is the Responsible Investment Advisor, for the business and investment team. Responsibilities include reviewing and implementing the RI policies and processes, working with the investment team and leading Fisher Funds’ response to recently enacted climate-related disclosures in New Zealand.
Rebekah is a highly experience financial markets and funds management leader with her most recent senior leadership roles at Macquarie Asset Management (Head of New Zealand Public Investments) and AMP Capital (Managing Director).
Frances Sweetman
Head of Sustainable Investments at Milford Asset ManagementFrances is Milford’s Head of Sustainable Investment and a Portfolio Manager of New Zealand equities. Frances joined Milford in early 2017 as a Senior Analyst focused on New Zealand equities. Prior to joining Milford, Frances was a Senior Research Analyst at Craigs Investment Partners, responsible for the New Zealand and Australian equity exposures of the Private Wealth division. Frances has previously worked as an Analyst at Brook Asset Management focused on the property, finance and telecommunications sectors and as an Analyst at Macquarie Bank in Sydney in the institutional equities research team. She holds an MSc in Estate Management from South Bank University, a BA(Hons) in Economics and Business Management from Newcastle University and is a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
Kuldeep Yadav
Head of ESG & Climate Research, Australia and New Zealand at MSCIKuldeep leads ESG and Climate research for MSCI’s Australia and New Zealand. He also drives MSCI’s mining sector coverage.
With over a decade of experience in the financial services sector, Kuldeep is a seasoned professional with roles at major players such as Morgan Stanley, Deloitte and MLC. Prior to joining MSCI, Kuldeep helped manage a multi-asset portfolio of over $1 billion at Byron Capital.
He holds a Master of Finance from Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University. Kuldeep is a Certified ESG Analyst® (CESGA).