Hon Chris Bowen MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy at Australian GovernmentChris grew up in Smithfield in Western Sydney, attending Smithfield Public School and St Johns Park High School. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics. He has also a master’s degree in international relations and a Diploma in Modern Languages (Bahasa Indonesia).
He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and was elected to Fairfield Council in 1995, serving as Mayor of Fairfield for 1998 and 1999. He also served as President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils from 2000 to 2002.
Chris entered Parliament in 2004 and has held a wide range of portfolios including serving as Treasurer, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Small Business.
He is currently the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Hon. Matt Kean
Chair, Climate Change Authority, Former State Member for Hornsby, Former NSW Treasurer & Energy Minister, Director Regulatory Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Wollemi Capital of Climate Change Authority & Wollemi CapitalMatt was appointed as Chair of the authority on 5 August 2024 for a term of 5 years. He was previously the Member for Hornsby in the NSW Parliament from 2011 until 2 August 2024.
Matt was most recently the NSW Shadow Minister for Health. He was Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal party from August 2022 until March 2023. Throughout his 13-year political career, Matt also held ministries of Innovation and Better Regulation, Treasury, Energy and Environment.
As Treasurer and Energy Minister of NSW, Matt championed climate action that is in the best interests of households and businesses. In 2020, he delivered the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap: A 20-year plan for NSW’s energy infrastructure. The roadmap spurs private investment in renewable energy while reducing emissions and power bills for the people of NSW.
Matt commenced in the role of Director, Regulatory Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Wollemi Capital on 15 August 2024.
Matt studied a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney and is a Chartered Accountant by profession.
Stan Grant
Renowned journalist, author, moral philosopher, thinker, film maker and communicatorStan Grant is a renowned journalist, author, and moral philosopher. With an illustrious four-decade career, he's an Australian trailblazer.
As the first Indigenous Political and Foreign Correspondent, he shattered barriers. Reporting from 70+ nations, he witnessed history unfold, from apartheid's end to China's rise. An award magnet, including three Walkley Awards and two Peabody Awards, he's a true wordsmith.
His filmmaking prowess birthed "The Australian Dream," shedding light on racial vilification.
Stan's a prolific author, his seven books spanning politics to philosophy.
A doctoral scholar, he's the Monash University Professor of Journalism and Constructive Institute's APAC Director.
Stan, a unifying force and justice advocate, empowers through discourse.
A family man, a philosopher, an unwavering advocate – Stan Grant embodies unity amidst diversity.
Zoe Daniel MP
Independent Member for Goldstein at Parliament of AustraliaIn May 2022, community Independent Zoe Daniel became the first woman elected to the federal seat of Goldstein which is named after the internationally renowned suffragist, Vida Goldstein.
Prior to politics, Zoe spent almost 3 decades on the front line of news and current events, in Australia and internationally as a 3-time foreign correspondent and former ABC News United States Bureau chief.
Based in Washington DC from late 2015 she was one of the few journalists who saw the rise of Donald Trump coming. While in the United States, she travelled to some 44 states and territories from Alaska to Puerto Rico.
Zoe was previously the ABC’s Southeast Asia correspondent where she provided on-the-ground coverage of stories ranging from major political events to natural disasters.
Zoe was the ABC’s Africa correspondent from 2005-6.
Zoe has reported on politics and business, conflict, famine, natural disasters, plane crashes, terror attacks, mass shootings, repression, economic collapse and poverty in countries as diverse as the USA, Mexico, Venezuela, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Vietnam and Vanuatu.
She is the author of three books, Storyteller, an insight into her life as a foreign correspondent and mum, Angel, a novel for teens about Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and Greetings from Trumpland, an account of fragmenting trust in democracy in the USA released in March 2021.
Zoe lives in Bayside Melbourne with her husband Rowan, their two teenagers, Arkie and Pearl, and their golden retriever, Tully.
Rod Sims AO
Chair at The Superpower Institute- Keynote Address: Rod Sims AO, Chair, The Superpower Institute
- Panel: Who's Winning the Policy Race: International Policy and Best Practice
Rod Sims AO is Chair of the Superpower Institute; Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, Canberra; Chair of Opera Australia; Chair of the Competition Research Policy Network at the Centre for Economic Policy Research, Paris; and Chair of Australia’s National Data Advisory Committee. He is also an Expert Adviser to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority on digital platform issues, an Expert Adviser to the Department of Home Affairs Strengthening Democracy Task Force and an Expert Adviser to Treasury’s Competition Policy Task Force.
From 2011-March 2022 he was Chair of The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Prior to that he had a range of senior corporate positions, including on Boards based in Australia, the UK and Singapore, and he advised many major Australian companies on corporate strategy issues. He has also worked in the Australian Public Service including as the Deputy Secretary in charge of all domestic policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 1988-1990 he was the Principal Economic Adviser to Australia’s Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Monique Miller
Chief Investment Officer – Renewables and Sustainable Finance at Clean Energy Finance CorporationMs Miller leads the CEFC team responsible for the origination and execution of investments in renewables and sustainable finance, overseeing transactions in the areas of renewable energy, storage and debt markets.
This includes the $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund. Ms Miller has more than 20 years’ experience in clean energy and environmental finance.
Prior to joining the CEFC, Ms Miller worked at Macquarie Bank and Baker McKenzie in Sydney and London, with extensive experience in renewables and carbon investment and structuring, international emissions trading and policy advice.
Ms Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law degree with Honours from the Australian National University and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Angus Whiteley
CEO of Stafford Capital PartnersAngus has been Chief Executive Officer at Stafford since 2013. He is responsible for Stafford’s global operations, working across strategy formulation, team development, relationship management and investment evaluation.
Angus currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and is an active participant in global sustainability and Net Zero debates.
Prior to Stafford, Angus was a direct investor in the private equity and venture capital markets and co-founded Solon Ventures, a UK venture capital firm. He started his career with Thompson Clive & Partners, a life sciences and technology private equity firm with investments in Europe and the US.
He holds an MA in Law from the University of Cambridge.
Estelle Parker
Co-CEO of Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)With a distinguished 20-year career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Estelle Parker brings crucial expertise in government relations, policy-making, and themes important to responsible investors, including human rights and the SDGs. As a leader driving RIAA’s research, certification, policy, standards, and working group programs, her leadership has elevated these initiatives to achieve heightened levels of professionalism, impact, and value delivery for our members, aligning seamlessly with RIAA’s strategic objectives.
Beyond her organisational impact, Estelle is a respected figure in the responsible investment landscape, serving as a strong advocate on influential global and government committees, including the Principles for Responsible Investment’s Global Policy Reference Group, the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group. Additionally, she serves as the Convenor of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures official Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Steering Committee for the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute. She is also a member of the Council of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria).
Sonya Sawtell-Rickson
Chief Investment Officer at HESTASonya has 20+ years’ experience in the investment management industry. Sonya was appointed CIO of HESTA in July 2017 and oversees the $86 billion investment program (as at 21 August 2024). She leads a team of over 80 investment professionals, investing a globally diversified portfolio.
Sonya has 20+ years’ experience in the investment management industry, including Investment Director at QIC, leading a global multi-asset team, managing diversified portfolios of $45 billion.
Sonya is a Director of the Investor Group for Climate Change, a Member of the IFM Shareholder Advisory Board, and a Board Member of the Australian Advisory Board on Technology & Healthcare Competitiveness. Sonya is an Executive Member of the Australia/NZ Chapter of Bloomberg Women’s Buy Side Network, a Member of Chief Executive Women and a Member of the CFA Institute Research & Policy Centre Advisory Council.
Sonya holds a Masters of Applied Finance, Bachelor of Arts (Economics & Political Science), is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and is a Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Mark Rogers
CEO of New ForestsMark Rogers was appointed Chief Executive Officer of New Forests in April 2023. He is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the business, which includes overseeing the growth of both New Forests and New Agriculture.
Mark joined New Forests in 2016, and was previously head of New Forests’ Australia, New Zealand and United States businesses where he oversaw the investments and operations in those regions.
Mark has over 27 years’ experience in real asset sales and acquisition, regulation, greenfields project development, and finance. Mark is a member of several New Forests’ Investment Committees and operating company boards. He has also had extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director on numerous other real asset companies.
Mark has a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Economics, and a Masters of Law from the Australian National University in Australia, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Natasha Morris
Managing Director Responsibility and Impact of Adamantem CapitalNatasha Morris is the Managing Director of Responsibility and Impact at Adamantem Capital. Natasha is responsible for developing and embedding responsible and impact investing principles and practices into the Adamantem Group’s investment products, stewardship processes, own operations and industry and stakeholder engagements.
Natasha has worked across both the private sector and the social impact sector for over 20 years in both Australia and the UK.
Natasha holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales and a Graduate Certificate in Social Impact from the University of New South Wales.
David Russell
Chair at Transition Pathway Initiative - TPIDavid is the Chair of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), which assesses preparedness for the transition to a low carbon future, supporting the efforts of investors in addressing climate change.
Prior to this, David was the Head of Responsible Investment at the USS, the largest UK pension fund, with responsibility for all aspects of RI strategy development and implementation across. This included policy and strategy, stewardship, and integration across both public and private asset classes. He has also led on the scheme’s formal ESG related reporting.
David is a former Board member of the UNPRI, was involved in the governance of the IIGCC from its inception, and until June 2023 was on the Board of the International Centre for Pensions Management. David is a member of the FTSE Russell Sustainable Investment Advisory Committee.
Prior to joining USS, David worked as an Environmental Manager for a UK retail company, and was for five years a University lecturer in Environmental Management.
Zoe Whitton
Managing Director, Head of Strategy and Impact at PollinationZoe Whitton is Managing Director, Head of Strategy and Impact at Pollination Group, a specialist climate change investment and advisory firm. Zoe helps companies and investors navigate the impacts of climate change and to build and invest in new businesses and products which take advantage of transition opportunities. She previously led the award-winning APAC ESG Research team at Citi, advising institutional investors globally on climate change and sustainable development.
Earlier in her career Zoe covered ESG and climate change at Credit Suisse and at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and served as a youth delegate to the UNFCCC. She serves on the boards of the Investor Group on Climate Change and the Centre for Policy Development, is a member of the Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy Advisory Council, and a member of the Expert Advisory Panel of the Federal Powering the Regions Fund. She was previously a member of the ASFI TAG and a member of the Expert Working Group for ASFI’s formation. Zoe also sits on the Advisory Council of the Climate Governance Initiative and the Gold Standard Enabling Impact Working Group.
Zoe has won numerous awards for her research and work on climate finance and risk, and regularly contributes to the wider conversation on sustainable finance by commentating in the Australian and international press along with various publications.
Graeme Barry
Special Counsel, Regulatory and Sustainable Investments at Australian Retirement TrustGraeme is currently Special Counsel, Regulatory and Sustainable Investments at Australian Retirement Trust, and has worked as a partner to the Sustainable Investment team and broader business since 2022. Prior to that, Graeme worked for over a decade in the International and Enforcement teams of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which included a secondment to the Australian Federal Police as part of their Fraud and Anti-Corruption Centre.
Graeme has also worked across Local Courts for the NSW Attorney General’s Department and City of Sydney with exposure to a wide variety of matters including environmental, planning, traffic and coronial law.
Nathan Blundell
Chief Development Officer at WindlabNathan Blundell is a globally experienced leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the energy sector.
As Windlab’s Chief Development Officer he oversees $30 billion of projects and a development pipeline of more than 20GW.
Nathan established his career in the energy industry working across the full resource lifecycle for internationals BP, Shell and PetroChina both in Australia and the United States. His desire to expand his industry experience into renewables saw him complete his Masters in Sustainable Energy at the University of Queensland before joining Windlab in 2021.
With a clear vision for unlocking the resources and scale critical for Australia’s decarbonisation objectives, Nathan and his team are passionate about ‘raising the bar’ for how industry responds to local-scale impacts of projects and lead the industry with fair, responsive and transparent community engagement processes to ensure long-term sustainable outcomes.
Recent achievements include a JDA to deliver one of Queensland’s largest ever renewable energy projects – the North Queensland Super Hub; negotiating the largest ever renewable energy power purchase agreement in Australia for our $3.7B, 1.4GW Bungaban project; and DA and EPBC approval for the $1.4B, 400MW Gawara Baya project - the first renewable energy project in Australia to implement a robust, defensible, and measurable program for achieving biodiversity net-gain.
Windlab is the 100% Australian company applying its world-leading technology and globally recognised expertise to find, construct and operate the nation’s top wind energy projects.
Michael Bones
Senior Manager at Investor Group on Climate ChangeMichael is a strategist and adviser who has worked with some of Australia’s top climate advocates, purpose-driven entrepreneurs and political campaigners. He is responsible for implementing IGCC’s federal policy engagement program with parliamentarians, public servants, and relevant stakeholders.
Prior to IGCC, Michael was an adviser to crowdfunding initiative Climate 200, a strategy consultant to the Investor Agenda, and Head of Engagement at Future Super, Australia’s first fossil-free super fund.
Michael holds a dual Bachelor of Law and Arts from the Australian National University and received the Thomson Reuters prize for Climate Law.
Nicolette Botha
Head of Climate Resilience Services APAC at Zurich Resilience SolutionsSince 2008, Nicolette has been employed in the insurance sector as a Technical Property and Natural Hazards Risk Engineer. She became part of the Climate Resilience Team in 2020 and later relocated to Australia to lead the APAC Climate Resilience and Sustainability Team. In her role, Nicolette has played a significant role in helping clients, both locally and internationally, comprehend the tangible effects of climate change and related severe weather events on their enterprises. She offers advice on the necessary climate adaptation and resilience strategies to safeguard businesses, personnel, processes, and infrastructure.
Tim Buckley
Director of Climate Energy FinanceTim has 35 years financial markets experience, including providing public interest related financial analysis on the energy transition since 2013, studying China, India and Australia.
Tim founded Climate Energy Finance Australasia in 2022, having co-founded and worked with the global energy finance thinktank IEEFA over 2013-2021. For 17 years Tim was a Managing Director at Citigroup, Head of Australasian Equity Research.
Tim has published over 100 reports on the global energy transition.
Jillian Button
Partner at AllensJillian is a leading climate change, ESG and environment law specialist. She is the Allens Head of Climate Change, and co-leads the firm's ESG Hub. A significant part of Jillian's practice involves assisting clients to navigate the net zero transition, including providing head office support on climate matters. She helps clients develop ESG strategies, policies and disclosures, provides advice on the implementation of sustainability commitments, provides climate governance advice, advises on actual and threatened strategic climate litigation, and is helping clients to prepare for mandatory climate related reporting obligations.
Amanda Cahill
Chief Executive Officer at The Next EconomyAmanda is the CEO of The Next Economy, where she works to support regional communities across Australia to manage decarbonisation and climate change to build more resilient economies. She has worked successfully to support all levels of government, industry, workers and community groups to understand and manage different aspects of the transition to net zero across Australia.
In 2023 she completed a Churchill Fellowship to study the energy transition in Europe and sits on the National Hydrogen Strategy Advisory Board and AEMO’s Advisory Council on Social License. Amanda has a PhD from ANU and is a Research Fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures at the University of Melbourne and Industry Fellow at the Sydney Policy Lab.
Tony Campos
Head of Sustainable Investment, Index Investments Group at FTSE RussellTony works closely with asset managers and asset owners around the world to help implement SI objectives into index-based investment solutions. Tony has worked in SI since he joined FTSE in 2004 and has held previous roles including leading product management in the Americas and overseeing global ESG research and company engagement.
Kate Chaney MP
Independent Member for Curtin at Parliament of AustraliaKate Chaney MP, Federal Member for Curtin, in 2022 became the first woman from WA to be elected as an independent Federal MP. Inspired by a community concerned about climate action, integrity, future-focused economic management, and building connected, inclusive communities, Kate is focused on 'doing politics differently' – understanding the limitations of the party system and working with the crossbench to bring a long-term focus to policy development and decision-making.
Kate's work in Parliament has included two private members’ bills about electoral reform, designed to rebuild trust in our political system.
Alexis Cheang
Head of Investment Stewardship at NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp)Alexis Cheang joined TCorp as the Head of Investment Stewardship in June 2022. In her role,
Alexis leads the organisation’s commitment to integrate climate change, ESG and active ownership
across all asset classes, using a total portfolio approach to investing.
Prior to joining TCorp, Alexis spent 8 years at Mercer as Partner and Head of Sustainable
Investment for Asia Pacific. In that role, she advised asset owners in designing and implementing
sustainable investment and climate change strategies.
Alexis chairs the NSW Sustainable Investment Working Group and, in a personal capacity, is an
advisory Board member of HOPE Housing, an affordable housing impact fund supporting home
ownership for essential workers.
Alexis holds a Master of Science in Politics of the World Economy (with Merit) from the London
School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Religion
with honours, from Barnard College, Columbia University.
James Choi
Managing Director of J2 AdvisoryJames Choi was Australia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2016 to 2021.
After 27 years in the public service, James completed his ambassadorial term and resigned to establish J2 Advisory.
James was Senior Adviser to Australia’s Foreign Minister from 2013 to 2016. He was Australia’s Ambassador to Denmark (2010-2013), with previous postings to Australia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (2002-2005) and Seoul (1995-1997).
At J2 Advisory, James is using his extensive global experience and networks to accelerate trade and investment opportunities in Korea and Australia as both economies transition to a low-carbon future.
He has been appointed as an advisor to the Korean steelmaking giant, POSCO. James was also appointed as Honorary Ambassador for Foreign Investment Promotion by the Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. He is a Senior Advisor to Prostar Capital.
Manuel Coeslier
Lead Expert, Climate at MirovaManuel Coeslier is lead expert expert on climate within Mirova’s ESG research team as well as co-head of the Mirova Research Center. He coordinates methodological developments for measuring the extra-financial impact of assets, all asset classes combined and more particularly on the environmental pillar (climate/biodiversity). He was a member of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) of the European Commission where he contributed to the definition of European climate benchmarks. Manuel graduated from IMT Atlantique in environmental engineering and holds a master’s degree in environmental economics from Mines ParisTech.
John Connor
CEO of Carbon Market InstituteJohn Connor is CEO of the Carbon Market Institute (CMI), an independent business member-based institute for best practice in market solutions and decarbonisation investment.
John has over 30 years' experience in public and private policy with a focus on building the evidence and strategic partnerships to drive change. John’s CMI role followed over two years based in Suva directing the Secretariat supporting the Fijian Government’s Presidency on international climate negotiations (COP23 Presidency).
Prior to that, John led The Climate Institute which pioneered approaches focusing on financial institutions as well as being a lead analyst and commentator on Australian climate policy.
Sasha Courville
Chairperson at Aluminium Stewardship InitiativeSasha is a strategy and ESG leader with over twenty-five years’ experience in driving systems change. As a senior executive at Bank Australia and at NAB, she led the integration of sustainability into business strategy, responding to challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, in ways that create value for shareholders, customers and the community. Sasha is the Chair of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, setting sustainability standards for the global aluminium value chain.
Sasha has a PhD on coffee from the ANU, an MSc from LSE and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from York University, Canada.
Sharona Coutts
Head of Legal & Policy (APAC) at Viridios CapitalSharona is a lawyer specialising in climate-related advice and transactions. Based in Sydney, Sharona currently leads legal and policy in the Asia-Pacific for Viridios Capital, a specialist climate and carbon markets advisory, trading, investment and development firm. Her work spans banking and finance, M&A, direct investments, regulatory matters, as well as advisory and strategy.
Prior to joining Viridios, Sharona worked in the global climate team at Baker McKenzie. She had a previous career as an investigative reporter and media executive, mostly in the United States. In 2005, she served as Associate to Justice McHugh at the High Court of Australia. She is an alumna of UNSW, Harvard, and Columbia Universities.
Guy Debelle
Investment Committee Adviser at Australian Retirement TrustDr Guy Debelle is an adviser to the Investment Committee of Australian Retirement Trust, a board member of FundsSA, a non-executive director at Tivan and an honorary Professor of Economics at Adelaide University. He is also co-chair of the ASFI Taxonomy Technical Experts Group developing the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy for the Australian economy.
Guy was the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia from 2016 until 2022. After leaving the RBA, Guy worked at Fortescue Future Industries as CFO.
Alison Ewings
General Manager, ESG at QICAlison Ewings is a respected ESG leader in Australia with more than 20 years’ sustainability experience who is passionate about focusing investor efforts on meaningful change. Before joining QIC in 2023, Alison served as Head of Engagement at Regnan, where she oversaw the early implementation of system level engagement. Prior to this, Alison was the Head of Sustainability at Westpac overseeing the development of ESG strategy, frameworks, policy and disclosure.
Alison is currently a member of the Global Steering Committee for Climate Action 100+, the world’s largest investor-led engagement initiative on climate change.
Nathan Fabian
Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at PRINathan is Chief Sustainable Systems Officer at the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment. He is also Secretary of the Taskforce on Net Zero Policy, which will report on non-state-actor focussed government policies at COP29. Nathan was the Chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance that developed the EU Taxonomy and advises on sustainable finance regulation. These roles are part of over twenty years in sustainable finance in government policy, investment research and ratings on companies, and the development of investment processes and tools. Nathan was educated in International Relations, Business Administration and Ethics & Leadership.
Persephone Fraser
Ethical Stewardship Lead (Acting) at Australian Ethical InvestmentPersephone Fraser is the (Acting) Ethical Stewardship Lead at Australian Ethical. She also performs ethics research to define AE’s sustainable investment universe, as climate SME. She is responsible for assessing investments against the Australian Ethical Charter, evaluating the impacts of industries and investments on people, animals and the planet. She is also responsible for policy advocacy and strategic engagement work streams focused on climate change, including high emitting and hard to abate sectors like built environment (having lead CA100+ engagements with Boral and Adbri), and transition facilitating activities like transition minerals and hydrogen.
Persephone has also been leading the CA100+ thematic engagement on positive lobbying. Before joining Australian Ethical in 2020, Persephone worked in research across the NGO, think tank and policy maker spaces.
Alison George
Head of Impact & Ethics at Australian Ethical InvestmentAlison leads Australian Ethical Investments’ Impact & Ethics team, which defines the investible universe for the fund and undertakes stewardship to grow positive outcomes for animals, people, and planet and long-term returns.
With 25 years’ experience across impact investing, ESG, and corporate sustainability, she has held previous senior investment, advisory and leadership roles at Pendal, Regnan, and EY. She is a board member at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) Australia, a not-for-profit with a mission to accelerate the energy transition.
Alison is a Chartered Accountant (fellow) and holds a BA (Jurisprudence) and a Master of Environment.
Sam Heithersay
Investment Analyst at Fidelity InternationalSam joined Fidelity in 2018 as an Investment Analyst based in London, initially covering US Healthcare before transferring to Sydney in 2021 where he has since covered the Australian Metals & Mining sector.
Sam's previous experience includes six years as a Senior Associate in Citi’s Equity Research Division in Sydney, where he also covered Australian Metals & Mining.
Sam holds a Masters in Mining Engineering from University of New South Wales and a Masters in Business Administration from London Business School.
Bernie Hobbs
MCBernie Hobbs is best known as a popular judge from ABC TV's The New Inventors, and she's a firm favourite with audiences for her weekly science spots on ABC radio around the country.
Bernie has that rare combination of a sharp intellect, quick wit and warmth. With a background in medical research, environmental writing and science teaching, Bernie can tackle tough or technical subjects and bring the driest topics alive for lay or expert audiences.
She's worked with kids, animals and rocket scientists, and shared the stage with prime ministers and rock stars. She happily takes the hot seat at triple j when Dr Karl can't, and loves nothing more than working with a live audience.
Bernie has won awards for the kids tv show the experiMENTALS, and for her infamous greenhouse website Planet Slayer - where you find out what age you should have died at so you don't use more than your share of the planet.
She has a first class honours degree in biochemistry and microbiology, a very nerdy habit of birdwatching, and more than a passing interest in cycling, kayaking and ridding her backyard of asthma weed.
Tanya Hodgson
Manager Business Development and Transactions at Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)Tanya Hodgson is an Investment Manager at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), working across ARENA’s low emissions metals and hydrogen portfolios. Tanya works with start-ups to incumbents, developing and executing early-stage renewable energy technology investment opportunities. This industry exposure provides unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing hard to abate industrial sectors in Australia.
Tanya has a technical background in the sciences, holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Applied Biology, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, from the University of Cape Town. Prior ARENA, Tanya was at Bain & Company, working on over 20 cases across South Africa and Australia.
Alan Hsu
Equity Portfolio Manager at Wellington ManagementAlan has been dedicated to climate investing for well over a decade. He is the lead portfolio manager for our flagship Climate Strategy approach that seeks to identify the opportunities posed by transition and physical risks that are increasingly driving the need for mitigation and adaptation solutions.
Alan is supported by Wellington Management’s proprietary climate, fundamental, and ESG research teams in addition to collaborations with the Woodwell Climate Research Center and the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy to help him further understand the risks and opportunities that climate change imparts on capital markets.
Daniela Jaramillo
Head of Sustainable Investing, Australia at Fidelity InternationalDaniela is the Head of Sustainable Investing – Australia, at Fidelity International, where she has been since August 2021. She is also a non-executive director at the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Prior to Fidelity she was a Senior Responsible Investment Adviser at HESTA, one of Australia’s largest pension funds. While at HESTA, Daniela set up and was the Chair of the investor group of 40:40 Vision, an investor led initiative to achieve gender balance in executive leadership. Daniela has held roles in responsible investment across the UK (Legal and General) and US (Wespath Benefits and Investments) before settling in Australia. She was also a member of the PRI Stewardship Advisory Committee between 2017 and 2021.
Originally from Ecuador, her career began as one of the founding members of a not for profit focusing on improving education and health outcomes in the region. Daniela holds an MSc. in Environment and Development from London School of Economics and a B.A in Journalism from Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
Marghanita Johnson
CEO of Australian Aluminium CouncilMarghanita Johnson has been the CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council since 2019. She has over 25 years’ experience in the Australian mining and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining the Council, she led engagement and advocacy on behalf of Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium, where she also held key climate and sustainability roles.
Marghanita has Environmental Engineering and Chemistry degrees from UWA. She is Chair of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and a Non-Executive Director of Alpha HPA Limited and Energy Users Association of Australia. She has previously been a non-executive director for New Zealand Aluminium Smelter and Tomago Aluminium Company.
Frank Jotzo
Head of Energy at Australian National UniversityFrank Jotzo is Professor of Environmental Economics and Climate Change Economics at the Australian National University's (ANU) Crawford School of Public Policy, and Head of Energy with the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions. He leads research on opportunities for a green iron supply chain from Australia to East Asia. He leads the Australian Government’s Carbon Leakage Review, is a member of the NSW Net Zero Commission and chairs Queensland's Clean Economy Expert Panel. Frank Jotzo has been in senior author roles with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Olivia Kember
Principal Consultant at ERM EnergeticsOlivia works with private and public sector clients to help them address their climate-related risks and opportunities, with a focus on building climate risk management capacity. She has extensive experience in climate risk assessment, scenario analysis and planning, climate and energy policy development and frameworks for target-setting, transition planning and reporting.
Before joining Energetics, Olivia was acting CEO and Head of Policy for The Climate Institute, where she engaged with representatives of government, industry, finance, media and NGOs to build influential stakeholder coalitions.
Olivia has also authored a wide range of research publications, including collaborations with CSIRO and the IGCC.
Claire LaBouchardiere
Senior Executive Leader, Companies and Small Business at Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)Claire leads the Companies and Small Business team within ASIC’s Regulation and Supervision group. She is responsible for the regulation and supervision of companies and small business, with a focus on corporate governance and disclosure, financial reporting and audit quality, conduct of registered liquidators, and engagement with the small business sector. Claire is also responsible for leading ASIC’s work in relation to sustainable finance.
Claire has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate law and regulation.
Ian Lieblich
Head of ESG at EG FundsInitially trained as a lawyer, Ian has worked in climate change and responsible investment for over a decade.
Ian has strong policy experience, having worked with several climate change focused NGOs, most notably Climate Policy Watch. Ian worked with several low-lying Pacific Island States in in the lead up to, during, and post the historic Paris Climate Agreement, attending several UNFCCC COPs and intersessional sessions. Domestically, Ian chairs the IGCC’s Energy Policy and Advocacy Working Group, working closely alongside Erwin and Beth to write submissions and engage IGCC membership.
Beyond his work with institutional investors, Ian has worked with Venture Capital Firms, gaining a sound insight into emerging climate solutions and technologies. Building a network of Australian and global climtech startups, Funds, incubators, and accelerators, has given Ian new perspective on climate investments, and what is needed to scale these new technologies for a safe, climate zero future.
April Mackenzie
Chief Executive at External Reporting BoardApril Mackenzie 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 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.
Liza McDonald
Head of Responsible Investments at Aware SuperLiza has over 26 years’ experience in the superannuation sector and is a specialist and passionate advocate for Responsible Investments.
As Head of Responsible Investments , she has led the development and implementation of the Fund’s Responsible Investment policies, the execution of the Climate Change Strategy and also manages the ESG integration implementation.
Liza represents Aware Super on a number of working groups and committees including IAST-APAC; ASFI; RIAA; 40:40 Vision and ACSI.
Liza holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance at Kaplan Education and is a Graduate of AICD and a current director of RIAA.
Rebecca Mikula-Wright
Chief Executive Officer at Investor Group on Climate ChangeRebecca is the Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC). She sits on the Steering Committees for Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and the Investor Agenda, as well as the Executive Committee for the Paris Aligned Asset Owners. Rebecca has worked in climate change, sustainability and investment banking for over 20 years in Hong Kong, Europe and Australia.
Rebecca started her career in investment banking working in equity research, credit analysis, commodities and derivatives for groups such as Nomura Securities, BlackRock, Exxon Mobil and JPMorgan. Involvement in early corporate sustainability programs in many of her roles was the
catalyst to move into the nascent sustainable finance and investment field in Asia where she led ASrIA (Assoc. for Sustainable and Responsible Investment in Asia) in Hong Kong.
She is a Board member of Wildlife Conservation International – the umbrella organisation of The Orangutan Project, International Elephant Project and the International Tiger Project, focused on animal and environmental conservation in Indonesia. Rebecca has a BA (Asian Studies/Commerce), Dip. Business Administration and speaks conversational Japanese, French and Czech.
Sarah Minhinnick
Chief Executive at New Zealand Green Investment FinanceSarah leads New Zealand Green Investment Finance (NZGIF), New Zealand’s Crown-backed green investment bank that accelerates low emissions investment in New Zealand.
Sarah has over 18 years of experience in public and private capital markets, both in New Zealand and the United States, working across banking, financial services and law.
She was previously the General Manager – Capital Markets Origination at NZX, managing the group focused on deal origination, issuer relationships and issuer communication to investors for the Exchange's equity, funds and debt issuers. Before her time at NZX, Sarah was a Director, Capital Markets at BNZ, where she worked on capital markets transactions totalling more than $250 billion.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics) and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours, both from the University of Auckland, and a Master of Laws (in Corporate Law and Finance) from New York University.
Tyrone O'Neill
Chief Strategy & Corporate Affairs Officer at RestTyrone joined Rest in April 2019 and leads Rest’s strategy, public policy, government relations, communications, and legal functions.
Tyrone has over two decades of experience in senior leadership positions including roles at Optus, Vodafone, and Westpac.
He has been a Director on the Board of SuperFriend since 2021, a Director of a family farming business since 2006, and is a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course.
Tyrone holds a Master of Letters in Philosophy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Computer Science from the University of Sydney.
Jaqueline Peel
Director, Melbourne Climate Futures of The University of MelbourneJacqueline has dual qualifications in science and law, and is a professor of climate law at the Melbourne Law School and Director of the University of Melbourne's cross-disciplinary climate initiative, Melbourne Climate Futures. She has written several books on climate litigation and advised civil society organisations, philanthropic foundations and intergovernmental bodies on trends in climate litigation and its strategic impact.
Jacqueline served as a Lead Author in Working Group III (Mitigation Policy) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for its Sixth Assessment Report. She was selected as a Visiting Legal Fellow with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 2024-2025 and was awarded an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship and Kathleen Fitzpatrick Award in 2024 for a 5 year project on enhancing corporate climate accountability.
Fergus Pitt
Director - Media and Communications of Investor Group on Climate ChangeFergus Pitt directs IGCC’s communications work, including strategy, media relations, positioning and identity.
He has more than 20 years experience in sustainable finance, communications, public policy and research. Before joining IGCC in 2022, he led strategic communications at IIG, a prominent and innovative Australian impact investment funds manager, specialising in clean energy systems and green buildings. He produced influential work for the independent policy think tank, The Australia Institute, focusing on media policy.
He was a senior research fellow at Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism and led the digital products department for ABC Radio.
He holds an MA in business and economics journalism from Columbia University (C.V. Starr Scholar), and a BA (Journalism) from RMIT University.
Carl Prins
CoFounder & CEO of PathzeroCarl Prins, co-founder and CEO of Pathzero, leverages over 19 years of experience in investment management, technology, and sustainability to support institutional asset owners in managing carbon-related risks. Under his leadership, Pathzero has become a key provider of private markets emissions data, working with over 600 reporting fund managers and covering more than $4.5 trillion in AUM. Carl’s expertise drives innovation in sustainability reporting, helping investors navigate regulatory and market demands.
Rena Pulido
Head of Sustainable Investment, Australia at IFM InvestorsRena oversees the development and execution of IFM’s global sustainable investment (SI) strategy in Australia and leads the Australian SI team.
In her prior role as Global Head of Business Development, Rena was responsible for developing a global fundraising strategy, relocating from the US in 2021. She joined IFM as Director, Business Development in 2012.
Before IFM, Rena was Principal, Investor Relations with Ares Management LLC, joining from Macquarie Group where, as Managing Director, she led their real estate legal and tax structuring in North America and Europe. Rena started her career as a chartered accountant with EY.
Felicity Ryan
A/g First Assistant Secretary, Industry and Investment Division at Net Zero Economy AuthorityFelicity is A/g First Assistant Secretary of the Net Zero Economy Authority’s Industry and Investment Division. She has worked in the Australian Government for over two decades designing and delivering policy, including climate policy, Commonwealth-state relations and strategic infrastructure investment. She has worked for a Federal Treasurer and in Australian Government central and line departments, including the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury, Climate Change and Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Dr Monique Ryan MP
Independent Member for Kooyong at Parliament of AustraliaDr Monique Ryan was elected to the Federal seat of Kooyong in May 2022. Formerly Director of the Neurology Department of the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and a Professor of Medicine at both Melbourne and Monash Universities, she is the first woman and the first Independent to hold the seat of Kooyong. Dr Ryan is committed to action on integrity and transparency in government, evidence-based healthcare, and gender equity, and on climate change to prevent further global warming, environmental disasters and species extinction, and to build a strong, sustainable economy.
Andrew Sellick
Senior Principal at QICAndrew joined QIC in January 2021 and is Senior Principal of Sustainability, Innovation and Resilience. Andrew’s role is to drive positive returns in Portfolio Companies through the integration of sustainability into investment decisions and active asset management.
Andrew brings over 20 years’ experience in helping major Australian organisations deliver social, economic, environmental and commercial value. Prior to joining QIC Andrew was the General Manager of Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility and Government Affairs at Virgin Australia where he was responsible for leading the organisation’s approach to sustainability and relationships with governments and international agencies. Prior to this Andrew held similar management positions at Australia Post and Qantas Airways and has a proven track record of building organisational resilience by aligning business models with the expectations of their people, customers and community.
Andrew is a Faculty Member of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and has been a Non-Executive Director of Bioenergy Australia.
Greg Sharenow
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager – Commodities and Real Assets of PIMCOGreg Sharenow is a managing director and portfolio manager in the Newport Beach office, focusing on commodities, real assets, and inflation solutions. He leads PIMCO’s commodity portfolio management group. He also co-manages PIMCO’s Energy and Tactical Credit Opportunities strategy.
Prior to joining PIMCO in 2011, he was an energy trader at Hess Energy Trading, Goldman Sachs, and DE Shaw. He was previously senior energy economist at Goldman Sachs. His co-authored article, “Beating Benchmarks,” won the Second Annual Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy Award for Outstanding Article after it was published in the Journal of Portfolio Management.
He has 24 years of investment and financial services experience and holds bachelor's degrees in mathematical methods in the social sciences and in economics from Northwestern University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Rod Sims
Chair at The Superpower InstituteRod Sims AO is Chair of the Superpower Institute; Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University, Canberra; Chair of Opera Australia; Chair of the Competition Research Policy Network at the Centre for Economic Policy Research, Paris; and Chair of Australia’s National Data Advisory Committee. He is also an Expert Adviser to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority on digital platform issues, an Expert Adviser to the Department of Home Affairs Strengthening Democracy Task Force and an Expert Adviser to Treasury’s Competition Policy Task Force.
From 2011-March 2022 he was Chair of The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Prior to that he had a range of senior corporate positions, including on Boards based in Australia, the UK and Singapore, and he advised many major Australian companies on corporate strategy issues. He has also worked in the Australian Public Service including as the Deputy Secretary in charge of all domestic policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 1988-1990 he was the Principal Economic Adviser to Australia’s Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
Christina Tonkin
Managing Director, Corporate Finance of ANZChristina Tonkin is the Managing Director, Corporate Finance for Institutional Banking at ANZ.
Corporate Finance comprises ANZ’s specialised financing activities in Project & Export Finance; Asset Finance; Leveraged Finance; Loans Agency & Debt Execution; Loan Product Governance & Analytics; Loan Underwriting & Syndications; Sustainable Finance and Environmental Markets.
Christina has more than 30 years of experience in specialised finance and loan syndications. Since joining ANZ in 2005 from Westpac Banking Corporation, she has held several roles within the Institutional Banking loans business.
Christina holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Geology and Geophysics from Sydney University.
She is Vice President on the Executive Committee for Women in Banking & Finance, a former Vice President and Director of the National Stroke Foundation and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Christina has also recently joined the Advisory Board of the Australian Circular Economy Hub whose mission is to advance the development of a carbon neutral and circular economy in Australia and APAC.
Marina Wang
Senior Investment Analyst at UniSuperMarina works in UniSuper’s Private Markets team which manages the Fund’s ~$15 billion unlisted infrastructure and private equity portfolio. She has over ten years' experience and has been involved in the execution of large transactions across transport, renewables, and timberlands in Australia and globally.
Tsen Wong
Head of Energy Transition - REI Australia at ANZTsen Wong is the Head of Energy Transition within the Resources Energy & Infrastructure (REI) segment of ANZ Institutional.
Tsen is a career banking professional with over 24 years in ANZ, and currently leads a team that provides specialist support and insights to ANZ’s global REI business and other stakeholders in relation to climate and broader ESG considerations across the management of customer relationships, transactions, strategy, policy and governance.
Tsen is heavily involved in Divisional and Group-level climate & environment initiatives, such as the design and implementation of various sectoral financed emissions pathways for ANZ.
Cate Wood
Chair & Board Member at NFP & Government BoardsCate has been involved in Industry Superannuation for over 25 years as a fund executive and director including as Chair of CareSuper.
Cate is currently Chair of the Centre for Worker’s Capital Board and a Member of the Queensland State Investment Advisory Board and the Professional Standards Councils.
Cate was the National Chair of Women in Super, President and Board member of AIST and was on the boards of SunSuper, ISA, ISPT, ACT Investment Advisory Board, AGEST Super and the Mother’s Day Classic.
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).