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Brad Archer
Chief Executive Officer at Climate Change AuthorityBrad has extensive experience working on climate change, renewable energy and energy market issues. He joined the Climate Change Authority in November 2018, an independent statutory agency responsible for advising the Australian Government on climate change policy and emissions reduction targets. Brad has overseen the preparation of numerous reports, including the Authority’s First Annual Progress Report (2022), Paris Plus: From Cost to Competitive Advantage (2021) and Prospering in a Low Emissions World (2020).
Prior to joining the Authority, Brad was head of the International Climate Change and Energy Innovation Division in the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, where his responsibilities included advising on clean energy innovation, Australia’s greenhouse gas inventory and international climate change policy. Brad led negotiations on behalf of the Government leading to the granting of the first offshore wind farm exploration licence in Australia. Brad has been working on climate change policies for the Australian Government since early 2011.
Brad joined the Australia Treasury as a graduate in 1991, where he worked on a range of issues including including international taxation, economic forecasting, Commonwealth-State financial relations and competition and infrastructure policy. Brad has a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and a Master of Information Management.
Jonathan Bailey
Global Head of ESG and Impact Investing at Neuberger BermanJonathan Bailey, CFA, Managing Director, is the Global Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) & Impact Investing at Neuberger Berman, a private, independent employee-owned investment manager founded in 1939. Jonathan joined the firm in 2017 and has overall responsibility for the consideration of financially material ESG factors in investment processes firm-wide. He also has overall responsibility for the firm’s approach to impact investing across asset classes.
He spent the bulk of his prior career at McKinsey & Co where he was an Associate Partner. He has also worked for Generation Investment Management, the sustainable investment firm co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore, and on governance projects for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Jonathan holds an MBA (with high distinction) from Harvard Business School, an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an MA(Oxon) from the University of Oxford. He has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He is Chair of the Board of Instiglio, a developing market social impact bond advisory non-profit.
Alexandra Banks
Partner in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services at EYAlexandra is a Partner in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services team in Sydney, Australia. She joined the practice in April 2019 and leads the Oceania Sustainability practice. She focuses on nature, biodiversity, sustainability and ESG strategy and transformation, particularly in relation to sustainable supply chains and responsible sourcing. Alex has 12 years’ experience in deforestation, illegal logging, supply chain due diligence and corporate sustainability. Prior to joining EY, Alex worked for Preferred by Nature (formerly NEPCon), an environmental non-profit focussing on sustainability in supply chains for forest impact commodities, and prior to that, for the Australian government on the development and implementation of Australia’s Illegal Logging Prohibition Act. Alex has supported diverse organisations in their sustainability journey, with a particular focus on the use of innovative technology to embed sustainability in supply chains for forest impact commodities, palm oil, soy, beef and timber. Alex has worked extensively across South-East Asia and Oceania, in particular Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Papua New Guinea. Alex has published a number of reports on deforestation, land conversion and other environmental impacts in the Australia and Southeast Asia. Alex is a qualified lawyer, admitted to practice in the Australian Capital Territory and an expert in deforestation policy and regulation designed to tackle social and environmental impacts in supply chains. Alex is a member of the Board of Directors for World Forest ID and holds FSC Chain of Custody and Controlled Wood lead auditor certification and FSC Forest management lead auditor certification.
Jodie Barns
Manager, ESG at UniSuper Management Pty LtdJodie is an ESG specialist and has over seven years’ experience working in the responsible investments particularly in company engagement, proxy voting and equity research. At UniSuper Jodie works across all asset classes is responsible for qualifying and quantifying ESG considerations in investments and operations, which informs decisions taken in investments, as well as helping the fund continue to seek opportunities in a decarbonising market.
Prof Mark Howden
Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions at ANUMark is also an Honorary Professor at Melbourne University, a Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and is the Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council. He was on the US Federal Advisory Committee for the 3rd National Climate Assessment, was a member of the Australian National Climate Science Advisory Committee and contributes to several major national and international science and policy advisory bodies.
Mark has worked on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption issues for over 30 years in partnership with many industry, community and policy groups via both research and science-policy roles. Issues he has addressed include agriculture and food security, the natural resource base, ecosystems and biodiversity, energy, water and urban systems.
Mark has over 420 publications of different types. He helped develop both the national and international greenhouse gas inventories that are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement and has assessed sustainable ways to reduce emissions. He has been a major contributor to the IPCC since 1991, with roles in the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and now Sixth Assessment Reports, sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with other IPCC participants and Al Gore.
Peter Castellas
CEO of Climate ZeitgeistThroughout Peter’s career he has worked at the leading edge of the climate change and sustainable development agenda and has advised, influenced, and guided key decision makers at the highest levels of business, finance and government.
Peter is CEO of Climate Zeitgeist, a company he founded to work with key global partners in finance and investment to accelerate meaningful action on change at scale. He has created a major Climate Investor Forum as the premier meeting place in Australia to connect investors, corporates and climate tech companies. Peter was previously CEO of Tasman Environmental Markets where he led the company to become a one of the largest voluntary integrated carbon offset providers in the Asia Pacific. Previous roles include CEO of the Carbon Market Institute, where he led the organisation to be the peak business association for companies operating in the climate change and business interface. He was also a Director at Deloitte in Corporate Finance and Sustainability, Managing Director of Cleantech Australasia and the first Sustainability Advisor for the Commonwealth Bank.
Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Environmental Studies and the first class he taught over 30 years ago was on the Greenhouse Effect.
Vicki Doyle
Chief Executive Officer at RESTVicki joined Rest as Chief Executive Officer in May 2018, bringing more than 20 years’ senior executive leadership experience in superannuation, life insurance, wealth management and banking.
Vicki is passionate about simplifying and demystifying superannuation to help all Australians achieve their best retirement outcomes.
Vicki holds an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management and a diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Vicki has served as an Executive Director on Trustee Boards. She is also a Non-executive Director of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors and a Director of The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia
Vicki’s experience includes executive leadership roles at some of Australia’s leading organisations, such as AMP, BT, Suncorp and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. She has an extensive background in distribution, strategic marketing, digital, fund operations and contact centres, customer strategy and design and product management.
Samantha Bayes
Senior Associate at Roc PartnersSam leads Roc Partners Responsible Investment and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration practices. Sam’s role at Roc Partners involves integrating ESG at the Roc Partners corporate level and across all the investment strategies. She is involved in investment origination to identify impactful and ESG focused businesses. For the indirect investment strategy, she works with the GPs to ensure their processes are aligned with Roc’s responsible investment expectations.
Sam is the Co-Chair of the Australian Investment Council’s (AIC) ESG Committee. The Committee’s purpose will be to develop guidance and frameworks for the private market GPs and LPs to integrate and operationalise ESG across the investment lifecycle.
Sam has close to seven years work experience and was previously an Associate Director in KPMG’s Sustainability & Climate Risk team. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) specialising in Economics and Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town.
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.
Nishtha Aggarwal
Financed Emissions Analyst at Climate Energy FinanceNishtha Aggarwal is a financed emissions analyst with think tank, Climate Energy Finance, with a focus on analysing the climate financing pledges and actions of Australia’s banking giants. She engages with investors, corporates, and environmental NGOs to accelerate capital towards the global energy and decarbonisation transition.
Nishtha has a background in strategy and operations consulting with the Big 4 consulting firms, where she most notably worked with the Dept of Defence on sovereign industry capability, supply network exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Industry 4.0 logistics modernisation. Nishtha has Fijian-Indian and Indian background, studies the Indian classical arts, and guest lectures at La Trobe University on ‘making change happen.'
Tim Beshara
Manager of Policy and Strategy at The Wilderness SocietyTim has worked at the intersection of politics, policy, media and nature conservation for over 20 years. Tim is currently Manager of Policy and Strategy at the Wilderness Society where he works across policy development and advocacy, parliamentary engagement, investor engagement, media and strategic communications and campaign strategy.
His work touches upon a diverse range of topics including: nature conservation and environmental policy reform; climate change mitigation, resilience and adaptation; the role of nature within natural disaster frameworks; oil and gas remediation and decommissioning; and investor frameworks for nature risk.
Previous roles have included: Adviser to a Federal Greens Senator and to a NSW Liberal Environment Minister; Executive Officer of Landcare NSW; and Science Manager at Greening Australia. Tim’s first role in the conservation field involved undertaking bush regeneration in local bushland reserves on Sydney Harbour.
Tim was recently featured in the book by award-winning journalist Gabrielle Chan, ‘Why you should give a f*ck about farming’ for his expertise on agriculture and environment issues.
Tim was appointed as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at UNSW School of Business in January 2021.
Helga Birgden
Global Chair | Mercer Sustainable Investment at MercerHelga Birgden is a Mercer Partner, Mercer’s Chair, Sustainable Investment. She leads on sustainable investing and governance as a global executive focused on climate change resilience, managing investment risk, return and reputation for Boards, members and stakeholders.
She has more than 20 years of experience advising client Boards/Committees on sustainable investment issues - environmental, governance and social. She has prepared advice for multilateral institutions such as the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, G20 and Development Banks. She is a published author and contributes to Mercer thought leadership including on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Transition with the World Economic Forum (2022, 2021, 2020). Over the last decade Helga has been a leader in Mercer’s global climate change studies 2011, 2015 and 2019 Investing in a Time of Climate Change reports and 2020 Analytics for Climate Transition – ACT.
She is Deputy Chair of the Investor Group on Climate Change, representing ~$30 trillion of AUM and is on the board of the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change. She has lived off the grid (solar and wind) for a decade.
Nicolette Boele
Expert Adviser, Electrification of Everything at Smart Energy CouncilNicolette Boele is a responsible investment and clean energy executive with more than 25 years' experience in capital markets, sustainability, and climate change policy.
Nicolette's professional interest lies in building purpose into finance, growing just, social, and equitable capitals to underpin resilient and sustainable economies.
She has held executive roles at the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, The Climate Institute, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. She has also worked to better climate outcomes at the Australian Conservation Foundation, Investor Group on Climate Change, and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority. She advises the board of The Good Car Company, is a member of the Climate Impact Committee for New Zealand’s Climate Venture Capital Fund and is the Expert Adviser, Electrification of Everything to the Smart Energy Council.
Nicolette was Bradfield’s community independent candidate in the 2022 federal election which enjoyed one of the largest primary vote swings against a sitting member, anywhere in the country. Keen to demonstrate what true representation can be like, she has declared she will stand again for election in 2025.
Hon Chris Bowen, MP
Minister Climate Change and Energy
Jessica Cairns
Head of ESG and Sustainability at AlphinityJessica is the Head of ESG and Sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management. She has been in this role for 3 years and has over 14 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 investment decision making and participates in more than 200 ESG focussed company meetings a year.
Hon Dr Jim Chalmers
Treasurer of Australia
Kate Donnelly
Manager, Corporate Engagement and Policy at Investor Group on Climate Change
Karen Durand
Environmental Geoscientist and Corporate Sustainability Manager at Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL)Karen Durand is an Environmental Geoscientist and Corporate Sustainability Manager of Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL), a global fertiliser and explosives manufacturer with a multibillion-dollar ammonia manufacturing base. Before working for IPL, Karen’s research investigated the use of stable oxygen and carbon isotope ratios in carbonate deposits from northwest Queensland to develop past average temperature curves for use in palaeoclimate reconstruction and the calibration of predictive climate change models. Karen has a working knowledge of the issues associated with climate change and the sustainability of both emissions intensive manufacturers and IPL’s agricultural and mining customers. She is GRI certified, completes IPL’s NGER and TCFD reporting and oversaw the development of bespoke future climate-related scenarios specific to IPL. Karen is working closely with IPL engineers to develop IPL’s operational and scope 3 Net Zero pathways and is involved in the development of ‘green ammonia’ projects within IPL.
Crystal Fleming
Chief of Partnerships and Impact at Resilient Building CouncilCrystal is an experienced sustainability professional who is passionate about leveraging the private sector capital to create resilient infrastructure, assets, and communities. She developed and implemented the Investor Group on Climate Change’s physical risk and resilience stream of work and provided expertise to the NSW Government Climate Preparedness area of the Office of Energy and Climate Change, NSW Treasury.
Anna Freeman
Policy Director - Decarbonisation of Clean Energy CouncilAnna is Policy Director – Decarbonisation at the Clean Energy Council – Australia’s peak body for the renewable energy sector, which represents more than 1,000 member organisations working across solar, wind, hydro, energy storage and green hydrogen.
Anna leads the CEC’s policy and industry development work relating to the decarbonisation of the Australian economy and the country’s aspirations to become a renewable energy superpower, supplying low-cost, renewable energy for domestic and international markets.
Anna has been deeply engaged in energy and climate change policy for close to 20 years, working as Public Affairs Director for two national climate change reviews on behalf of the Australian and state governments (the Garnaut Reviews in 2008 and 2011), and as an adviser to the country’s Climate Change Authority. She has also held private sector roles in mining, infrastructure and media.
Damian Graham
Chief Investment Officer at Aware SuperAs Chief Investment Officer, Damian is responsible for the investment strategy of both Aware Super (previously First State Super) and Aware Financial Services, the financial planning company acquired by Aware Super in 2016.
Damian brings over 27 years’ experience managing equity portfolios and investment teams. Between 2012-16 Damian was Chief Investment Officer at StatePlus. He previously headed up Private Portfolio Management for the Macquarie Group, where he was promoted to run that business following a successful tenure as Head of Investment within the same division.
Damian has also held senior positions within Norwich Investment Management and JP Morgan Investment Management.
Erwin Jackson
Director of Policy at Investor Group on Climate ChangeErwin is one of Australia’s leading climate policy analysts and advocates with over 30 years’ experience. He oversees the policy and advocacy priorities for IGCC and is a regular commentor in the national media on climate policy and risk.
At IGCC, Erwin has been responsible for developing and implementing the organisations three year national policy priorities. This has included working with governments and stakeholders to build investable national climate, physical risk and climate-related risk policies. He regularly meets with policy makers and government officials to discuss climate policy and financial risk. He is also the co-chair of the Investor Agenda {link} Policy Working Group with responsibility to building investor engagement with policy makers in key markets in Asia Pac, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Throughout his career Erwin has advised government and business on effective climate policy in nationally, and internationally. He sat on research advisory committees and undertaken strategy development in low-emissions technology for the University of Melbourne, ANU, CSIRO and the University of Queensland. Erwin was Deputy CEO of The Climate Institute for nearly 10 years, where he was seconded to the Climate Change Authority as an expert in international climate change diplomacy. Other roles include being a senior policy advisor to the Australian Conservation Foundation and Environment Victoria. Erwin is a director of Climate Analytics Australia.
Daniela Jaramillo
Head of Sustainable Investing Australia at FidelityDaniela 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.
Frank Jotzo
Head of Energy at Australian National UniversityFrank Jotzo is Head of Energy with the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions and director of the ANU Zero-Carbon Energy for Asia-Pacific grand challenge initiative, and Professor of environmental economics and climate change economics at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy.
Frank Jotzo has senior authorship roles with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is joint editor-in-chief of the journal Climate Policy. He leads research on topics including decarbonisation strategies, economics of energy transition, policy instruments for climate change and environment, and international trade and investment. He has advised national and state governments, international organisations and businesses.
Sean Kidney
CEO of Climate Bonds InitiativeSean Kidney is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO, working to mobilize global capital for climate action. Projects include a green bond definitions and certification scheme with $34 trillion of assets represented on its Board; working with the Chinese central bank on how to grow green bonds in China; market development programs in Brazil, Mexico, ASEAN and Africa; and market tracking services for the green bonds industry.
He is a member of the European Commission's Platform on Sustainable Finance, and was a member of its predecessors, the 2017 EU High Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance and the EU Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. He is also a member of green finance committees in China, India, Mexico and Kazakhstan. Sean is also a Professor in Practice at SOAS University of London.
Claire LaBouchardiere
Australian Securities and Investments CommissionClaire 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 and financial reporting and audit quality. Claire is also responsible for leading ASIC’s work in relation to sustainable finance.
Before working at ASIC, she was a solicitor with Gilbert and Tobin. Claire has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate law and regulation.
Dimitri Lafleur
Australasian Centre for Corporate ResponsibilityDr Dimitri Lafleur is Chief Scientist at the Australasian Centre for Responsibility, where he provides assessments of company climate plans, with a deep understanding of GHG emissions and energy markets, as well as oil and gas value chains. After an 11 year career as a geoscientist in the oil and gas industry, working for Shell globally, Dimitri subsequently completed a PhD on climate change and energy transition. He holds bachelor and master of science degrees in geophysics and geology (University of Utrecht) and a PhD in climate and energy (University of Melbourne)
Ian Learmonth
Chief Executive Officer at CEFCMr Learmonth has more than 30 years’ experience as a financier and investor, having worked in Australia, Asia and Europe across asset finance, clean energy and major infrastructure projects, as well as pioneering Australian social impact investing.
Prior to his appointment as CEO for the CEFC, Mr Learmonth established the Social Ventures Australia Impact Investing business, which included raising venture capital and affordable housing funds as well as launching Australia's first Social Impact Bond in 2013.
Previously an Executive Director of Macquarie Group for 12 years, Mr Learmonth has extensive global investment banking experience. Mr Learmonth established and led various Macquarie businesses, notably European renewable energy and carbon credit investments, cross-border asset and structured finance and securitisation in Asia and Europe.
As the CEO of the CEFC, Mr Learmonth has overseen the organisation’s growth, where cumulative investment commitments exceed $10 billion and have expanded into grid augmentation, large scale battery storage, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and recharging infrastructure.
Mr Learmonth has degrees in Law and Commerce from the University of Queensland. He is a director of venture capital firm Virescent Ventures and has been a long-standing director of Sydney’s Belvoir St. theatre company.
Sue Lloyd
Vice-Chair International Sustainability Standards Board at International Sustainability Standards BoardSue Lloyd’s appointment as Vice-Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), effective 1 March 2022, was announced in January 2022.
She served as a member of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) from 2014 and as IASB Vice-Chair from 2016. She also served as Chair of the IFRS Interpretations Committee from 2017.
In addition to her IASB responsibilities, she played a leading role in the establishment of the ISSB from 2020, including as a member of the Technical Readiness Working Group, which was created by the Trustees to give the ISSB a running start.
Prior to becoming an IASB member, Ms Lloyd worked for the IFRS Foundation as a senior technical director, leading the development of new IFRS Accounting Standards, and as director of capital markets with responsibility for the IASB’s reform of accounting for financial instruments. She also worked for the IFRS Foundation from 2002 to 2004 as a technical project manager.
Ms Lloyd has held various positions in investment banking both in the UK and in Australia and has served as a member of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB). She has a Master’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Auckland in New Zealand.
April Mackenzie
CEO of 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.
Saksham Malhotra
Senior Responsible Investment Associate at HESTASaksham is a Senior Responsible Investment Associate in HESTA's Responsible Investment team, where he drives climate-related integration across various asset classes within the investment portfolio and conduct engagement with relevant companies.
With past experience spanning the superannuation and endowment sectors, Saksham has developed a deep understanding of investment management with a strong focus on responsible investment.
Daisy Mallett
Principal at Mallett Services Pty LtdDaisy Mallett is legal consultant specialising in climate risk issues, she takes appointments as independent arbitrator and is a non-executive director of Social Ventures Australia. She is co-author of “Greenwashing and how to avoid it: An introductory guide for Asia’s finance industry”, a collaboration between the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change and Client Earth.
Daisy has over twenty years of experience advising multinational companies and governments in relation to their most complex risks and disputes. She was formerly a partner at King & Wood Mallesons, where she helped establish their climate litigation risk and business and human rights practice. Prior to that, she worked in international law firms in London and Paris.
Daisy is routinely recognised by leading legal industry publications, including being listed in the Legal 500 “Power List”, Who’s Who Legal, and Doyles Guide.
Dr Virginia Marshall
Research Fellow at Australian National UniversityVirginia is a Wiradjuri Nyemba yinaa and Research Fellow at the Australian National University School of Regulation & Global Governance. The inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University. The leading legal Scholar on Indigenous Water Rights. Winner of the Stanner Award for her doctoral thesis, then book, 'Overturning Aqua Nullius'. Virginia is Principal Solicitor in her own legal firm. Recipient of an Australian Research Council Grant as lead Chief Investigator "Barriers & Opportunities for Indigenous-led Medicines". Virginia's is the Chair of the Indigenous Research Aboriginal Group ANU, Member of the Human Ethics Research Committee ANU, Inaugural International Ethics Member of Tikanga A Rangahau, Co-Deputy Chair NWI Mark 2 Committee on Aboriginal Water Interests & Board Member of the Climate Change Authority (Australia)
Jessica Martin
Economic Officer at U.S. Embassy.Jess Martin in an Economic Officer in Canberra at the U.S. Embassy. Prior tours with the State Department include Jerusalem and Zagreb, Croatia. Jess holds the climate, environment and oceans portfolio at the Embassy.
John Martin
CEO of WindlabJohn has been CEO of Windlab since 2021. Windlab is a pioneering Australian renewable energy company which uses world leading science to find, construct and operate some of the best performing renewable energy projects in the world.
John has over thirty years of experience in the energy, infrastructure and investment banking sectors.
Prior to joining Windlab, he was Chief Executive of the ASX listed New Energy Solar and LSE listed US Solar Fund Plc. In this role John lead the creation of a diversified portfolio of large scale solar power plants in the United States and Australia with total capacity of over 1.2 GWDC .
Before establishing these renewable energy investment funds, John had a long career running corporate advisory and banking with a focus on the renewable energy, infrastructure and resources sectors while working for firms such as ABN Amro, Zurich, NAB and PwC.
Zachary May
Executive Director, Policy & Strategy of IFM InvestorsZak May is an Executive Director at IFM Investors, and is part of IFM’s global management team. Zak is responsible for developing and leading IFM’s public policy program and supporting the firm’s strategy to represent a distinct form of capital that delivers superior sustainable long-term investor returns in a manner that respects the environment, labour rights and the communities in which IFM’s assets operate. He is also the co-lead of the IFM firm-wide climate change strategy.
Zak joined IFM with significant experience in both the public and private sector. Prior to joining IFM, Zak was Director of Policy for Industry Super Australia, where Zak led the development and advocacy of the industry superannuation sector’s policy positions, the organisation’s research function, and strategic projects on matters of common interest among the industry superannuation funds. Before relocating to Australia, Zak served on the executive staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, after working as an attorney at Shearman & Sterling in San Francisco and at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York. Zak is a frequent participant in industry, government, and civil society expert panels.
Zak holds a doctor of law from New York University, and is admitted to practice law in several jurisdictions.
Hon Jenny McAllister
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy | Senator for NSWJenny McAllister was born in Murwillumbah and grew up on the north coast of NSW. She attended the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney. Jenny is married to NSW MLC John Graham and they have 2 children.
Jenny’s professional career spans both senior roles in the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on infrastructure, environment management and climate change. Before joining the Australian Senate she held various senior roles at AECOM, a global infrastructure firm.
Climate change and environmental management remain key areas of interest for Jenny. She was co-founder of the Labor Environmental Activist Network (known as LEAN) with Kristina Keneally. Jenny was sworn into the Senate in 2015 to fill a casual vacancy and was re-elected in 2016 and again for the 2022-2028 term at the 2022 federal election.
Jenny is passionate about managing the economy to achieve social justice and social inclusion, and better outcomes for climate and sustainability. Her interests include gender equality and new opportunities for community participation in politics.
Rebecca McCallum
Director, Climate Disclosure Unit of TreasuryRebecca is a Director at the Australian Treasury, where she has worked since 2015. She leads the team responsible for implementing internationally-aligned, climate-related financial reporting in Australia, working closely with the sustainable finance team.
Prior to Treasury, Rebecca worked in the Parliamentary Budget Office, the CSIRO and across the public service, including in the Department of Climate Change. Her experience has a strong foundation in economic analysis and public policy, with a background in economic forecasting
She holds an Honours degree in Economics from UNSW.
Ciaran McCormack
Head of Market Development at AXA ClimateCiaran McCormack is a sustainability education specialist with over twenty years’ experience across the corporate, government, not-for-profit, and education sectors.
He is Head of Market Development for AXA Climate School, part of the AXA Insurance group, that creates sustainability training content. In this role, Ciaran assists organisations that need to engage and equip their employees — and clients — at speed and scale.
Prior to AXA Climate, Ciaran managed Al Gore’s training programs across the Australia and Pacific region. He has developed advocacy toolkits for the COP climate negotiations and is a member of the national collaborative committee for COP31, expected to be hosted by Australia and the Pacific in 2026.
Ciaran holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, a Master of Sustainability and a Certificate in ESG Investing. In 2019, he trained with Hon Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in Brisbane.
For his work on creating a climate-safe future, Ciaran draws daily inspiration from his five-year old son.
Sandi Middleton
Impact Fund Manager at The Next EconomySandi is the Impact Fund Manager at The Next Economy, drawing on over 20 years’ experience managing funds for government and for-purpose business in the sustainability and renewable energy sector.
She is currently the Impact Fund Manager at The Next Economy, which aims to provide funding for projects that build resilient, regional economies whilst being climate-safe, regenerative and socially just.
Sandi has a diverse experience with raising, managing and granting funds in regional communities, including fundraising over $1M to support cultural burning with the Firesticks Alliance and managing a $40M NSW State Government Treasury Loan Fund aimed at improving energy efficiencies and sustainability measure in government agencies.
Rebecca Mikula- Wright
Chief Executive Officer at IGCC- Introductions, Rebecca Mikula Wright, CEO, IGCC
- The C-Suite Panel Discussion: Driving the climate agenda
- Roadmap to Resilience Launch
Rebecca is the CEO of IGCC and AIGCC, based in Sydney, bringing over 20 years’ experience in climate change, sustainability and investment banking to the role.
Rebecca is responsible for developing and delivering the strategy and implementation across AIGCC and IGCC, covering investor practice and policy advocacy. She is a member of the global Steering Committee for the Climate Action 100+ and the Investor Agenda. She joined IGCC in 2012 as Director of Investor Initiatives, before moving to Executive Director of AIGCC in 2016. Rebecca became CEO of both organisations in June 2021.
Rebecca has worked in Hong Kong, Europe and Australia 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 conversation in Indonesia. Rebecca has a BA (Asian Studies/Commerce), Dip.Business Administration and speaks conversational Japanese, French and Czech.
Dr Anika Molesworth
KEYNOTEDr Anika Molesworth is a thought-leader of food systems resilience, and researcher in international agricultural development. Anika’s interest in agricultural resilience was prompted by witnessing a decade-long drought on her family’s sheep farm in New South Wales, Australia. From this point, she began a career in seeking how to build resilience in fragile farming systems and has worked hard at promoting and advocating for sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural communities. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science specializing in Agribusiness, a Master of Sustainable Agriculture, and a PhD with the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
Anika has a great interest in climate change and promoting actions to mitigate emissions and adapt to changing conditions. In 2014, she established Climate Wise Agriculture as a knowledge sharing platform, with a modus operandi to facilitate multi-direction flow of information and skill transfer regarding climate change and farming.
Anika is a Founding Director of Farmers for Climate Action, a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities. It is a network of over 5,000 Australian farmers and is recognised as a global exemplar of grassroots community actions having national impact.
Awards include; 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, 2016 Al Gore Climate Reality Leader, 2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist, and 2017 NSW Young Achiever Award for Environment and Sustainability. In 2018 she won the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, the NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Award for Agricultural Innovation, and was named by 350.org Youth Champion for Sustainability. In 2019, Anika received the Women of Style Future Shapers Award, and was recognised by the Australian Financial Review as a Woman of Influence.
Dr Joanna Nash
Senior Quantitative Portfolio Manager at RealindexDr Joanna Nash is a Senior Quantitative Portfolio Manager at Realindex Investments. She has 16 years’ quantitative investment experience including senior roles at Acadian, where she was a senior portfolio manager, and Blackrock, where she was a portfolio manager within scientific active equities group and Head of Sustainable Investment in Australia. Joanna holds a CFA accreditation, has a PhD in Economics from Yale University, and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship. She has a Bachelor of Laws and Economics (Honours) from the University of New South Wales. Joanna has previously taught at New York University and UTS.
Chris Newton
Principal at Seven AdvisoryChris has led the Global ESG strategy for one of Australia’s largest fund managers, and has worked across multiple asset classes – including listed entities, real assets, fixed income and private equity. His work has been recognised by both Global and Domestic Institutional Investor bodies, including the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), Australian Council for Superannuation Investors (ACSI) and the Investor Group for Climate Change (IGCC). He previously led a range of public policy functions including the State Budget, Climate Change, Energy & Infrastructure whilst working as the Chief Economic Policy Advisor for the Premier of Victoria.
As a Principal at Seven Advisory he currently advises a range of companies, NFPs and Government bodies on their developing ESG strategy, Responsible Investment due diligence approach and Board sustainability governance models. Chris is also an Independent Non-Executive Director for a Traditional Owner group (Nyamba Buru Yawuru) in Western Australia, Deputy Chair of Westernport Water and sits on the ESG Advisory Committee at both Max Capital and Blackwattle Investment Partners.
Chris has completed an MBA and has Post Graduate credentials in Finance, International Development and undertaking further study focusing on Australia’s First Nations people.
Ted O'Brien
MP, Shadow Minister, Climate Change and EnergyTed O’Brien MP is a Member of the House of Representatives where he represents the seat of Fairfax on the Sunshine Coast.
As the Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted is responsible for developing Australia’s future climate and energy policy aimed at achieving net-zero by 2050, while keeping energy reliable and affordable.
Ted believes Australia needs to adopt an “all the above” approach when formulating its approach to the challenge of climate and energy, and he is particularly interested in next-generation technologies to create a balanced energy mix.
Zero-emissions nuclear energy is one of the technologies Ted is currently assessing. He is leading a national discission about the potential for Australia to adopt small and micro modular reactors.
In the last term of government, Ted was Chair of the House Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment and also Chair of the Trade Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
He led negotiations on behalf of the Australian Government as the Prime Minister’s personal representative that secured the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – ‘Brisbane 2032’ – and was subsequently appointed Special Envoy for the Games and was a director of the Organising Committee.
Before entering parliament in 2016, Ted had a blue-chip commercial career with over 20 years of experience, mainly in senior leadership roles in general management and as a deal negotiator across in industries ranging from agriculture through to high technology.
He had over a decade with global technology giant Accenture where his last role was Director of Growth and Strategy for the Asia Pacific and Emerging Markets, based out of Beijing. He has lived and worked in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and spent periods in Singapore, Japan and South Korea.
Ted holds qualifications mainly relating to economics and commerce. He has a Bachelor of Economics and Politics from the University of Queensland; a Scholarship in Chinese Mandarin from the National Taiwan Normal University; a Master of Business Administration (International) with 1st Class Honours from the University of Melbourne and, a Master of Economics from the London School of Economics.
Beyond Ted’s professional career, he has always been active in community roles including Chairman of various national and regional organisations and continues to volunteer today.
Ted is a husband to Sophia who is a University Lecturer of Law and he is father to 11-year-old Alexandra and 5-year-old Henry (with a third baby on the way). Nothing is more important to Ted than family.
Carl Prins
Co-Founder & CEO of PathzeroCarl Prins is the co-founder and CEO of Pathzero, an Australian technology company that provides institutional asset owners access to relevant and reliable carbon information in their private market investment portfolios.
Carl has over 19 years of experience across the asset management, technology and environmental sectors. Having held the position of CFO in both venture capital and hedge fund management, he has a unique perspective on how the climate transition impacts asset owners, asset managers and portfolio companies. Carl recognises the transformative potential of software applications in facilitating data collaboration and empowering employees to effectively manage new business processes, such as measuring and managing emissions within an organisation.
Carl is a registered chartered accountant and a Climate Active consultant.
Richard Proudlove
Director, Corporate Engagement of IGCCRichard leads IGCC's work to drive climate progress in the corporate sector; a crucial element of transitioning to a sustainable, low carbon economy.
Before joining IGCC, Richard held a senior role in KPMG’s Climate Change and Sustainability Team, specialising in corporate climate risk and helping companies align with the Paris Agreement. He also ran ClimateWorks Centre’s Net Zero Momentum Tracker, a research and engagement campaign scrutinising the climate commitments of Australia’s largest organisations.
He holds a Bachelor of Science, Engineering from Durham University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Manufacture and Management from the University of Cambridge , and a Master of Environment (Climate Change) from the University of Melbourne.
Amy Quinton
Senior Manager, Policy at IGCCAmy is a lawyer with extensive experience in climate change law and policy. At IGCC she is responsible for implementing key policy and advocacy priorities. Amy has led the development of key policy papers including on topics of mandatory climate risk disclosure and supporting a just transition, and is focused on the intersection of investor practice and regulatory policy settings. She manages key internal and external stakeholders in policy priority implementation.
Prior to IGCC, Amy was a solicitor with a global commercial law firm. She has advised a broad range of clients on matters related to climate change and energy policy, carbon markets and climate-related risk, as well as environment and planning. Amy came to legal practice through her experience as a consultant and registered greenhouse and energy auditor delivering carbon, energy and sustainability services.
Amy holds dual Bachelors of Law and Environmental Management from the University of Queensland. She is also admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia.
Paul Richards
Head of Resources, Energy & Infrastructure at ANZPaul has responsibility for leading a team of specialist bankers across ANZ’s global network and delivering solutions to ANZ’s largest customers in the Resources, Energy & Infrastructure segments.
Prior to this position Paul was the Acting Head of Project & Export Finance and Head of Structured Export Finance & Renewables at ANZ Sydney.
Paul was also the Co-Lead for both the ANZ Group-wide “ESG Growth” strategy and Insto “Accelerate Sustainability” strategy in 2021.
Paul is a highly experienced banker in both domestic and international markets, with extensive leadership of client-facing, “connectivity” teams. Values-oriented leader driven by a passion for developing deep customer relationships, building inclusive and collaborative teams, innovation and different thinking.
Previously Paul has worked in ANZ’s Singapore office initially as Regional Head, South and South East Asia, Structured Export Finance, and then as Global Head. Prior to this Paul was based in ANZ’s Tokyo office where he was responsible for establishing the bank‘s North Asia Corporate and Structured Finance business working with ANZ’s Japanese and Korean customers across project and export finance arranging and advisory, structured asset finance, structured trade, and mergers and acquisitions.
Paul was a member of the International Chamber of Commerce, Global Export Finance Committee and for 3 years headed a working group on the sustainability opportunity in the ECA market. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from the University of New South Wales.
Amanda Richman
Ethical Stewardship Lead at Australian Ethical InvestmentAmanda is the Ethical Stewardship Lead at Australian Ethical Investment, responsible for ethical investor stewardship activities including company engagement. She is also responsible for assessing potential investments against the Australian Ethical Charter, evaluating the impacts of company products, services and operations on people, animals and the planet, with a focus on issues relating to halting and reversing nature loss. Before joining Australian Ethical, Amanda was a Senior Associate at law firm Allens. She is currently a director of the Animal Law Institute.
Jo Saleeba
Global Head of Sustainability and Impact at New Forests Asset Management Pty LtdJo Saleeba is the Global Head of Sustainability and Impact for New Forests, primarily responsible for overseeing the management, execution, and continuous improvement of New Forests’ responsible investment-related policies, systems, reporting and procedures.
Jo has a distinguished career in responsible investment as an institutional investor. She was the inaugural CEO of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) in Australia, and has extensive experience with some of the most progressive superannuation funds, and with corporate and investment clients in her own consulting business.
Jo has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Environmental Science from Monash University.
Michael Salvatico
Head of Asia, Pacific, Middle East & Africa Sustainability Solutions, S&P GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE1Michael Salvatico leads environmental, social and governance (ESG) business development in Asia, Pacific, Middle East and 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.
Andrew Sellick
Principal Sustainability at QICAndrew joined QIC in January 2021 as the Principal Sustainability. 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 Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility and Government Affairs at Virgin Australia where he was responsible for leading the organisations 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 integrating climate strategies, transitioning to renewable energy and building organisational resilience by aligning business models with the expectations of their people, customers and community.
Andrew has also been a Non-Executive Director of Bioenergy Australia and the Centre for Sustainability Leadership and faculty member of the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership programs.
Kate Simmonds
Investor Group on Climate ChangeKate is the Chair of IGCC’s Physical Risk and Resilience Working Group. She is responsible for building member understanding of physical climate risks, advocating for effective adaptation policy, and supporting opportunities for private investment in resilience.
Kate has also worked within IGCC’s Corporate Engagement team, where she focused on the political, economic, and technical challenges of decarbonising the Australian gas sector. She also supported international projects, such as the Climate Action 100+ Sector Strategies and Net-Zero Company Benchmark.
Previously, Kate worked in the insurance sector as a Senior Climate Analyst for WTW. She led the development of their Australia and New Zealand climate change strategy and built their first physical climate risk models, covering bushfire, flood, and cyclone. She was a member of the Insurance Council of Australia’s Climate Change Action Committee and contributed to the Climate Measurement Standards Initiative.
Kate has a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) from the University of Sydney, a First Class Honours in Climate Science from the University of New South Wales and is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne.
Anna Skarbek
CEO of Climateworks Centre/Monash UniversityAnna has led Climateworks since 2009 when it was co-founded by The Myer Foundation and Monash University to analyze emissions reduction opportunities, and set the ambition to develop a low carbon economy.
Anna was a founding board director of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Carbon Market Institute, and is currently a director of the Green Building Council of Australia, the Centre for New Energy Technologies and Sentient Impact Group. She is a member of the Blueprint Institute’s strategic advisory council and the Grattan Institute’s energy program reference panel, and was the 2020 Mission Innovation Champion for Australia.
In 2022 Anna was one of six leaders in climate and finance to join the Advisory Board of the newly formed Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). She was also invited to become a member of the influential women in leadership organisation, Chief Executive Women (CEW).
In 2023, Anna was appointed by the Victorian government to the State Electricity Commission Expert Advisory Panel to help accelerate the state’s energy transition and deliver 4.5 GW of renewable generation assets.
Anna is a former director of Impact Investment Group, the Linking Melbourne Authority, Amnesty International Australia and The Big Issue. She was a member of the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper reference panel, Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board and NGO Roundtable on Climate Change, and of Victoria’s Independent Review of the Climate Change Act and South Australia’s Low Carbon Economy Expert Panel.
Anna has a background as an investment banker, policy advisor and lawyer. Before Climateworks, she worked in London’s carbon markets as Vice President of Advisory with Climate Change Capital, an investment manager raising capital for low carbon activities. Anna’s prior career in Australia included senior policy advisor to the Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change, investment banker in Macquarie Bank’s energy and utilities team, and solicitor with Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Christina Tonkin
Managing Director, Corporate Finance of ANZChristina Tonkin is the Managing Director, Corporate Finance for Institutional Banking at ANZ.
Corporate Finance comprises Corporate Advisory, Sustainable Finance, Project & Export Finance, Asset & Leveraged Finance, Loans Agency & Debt Execution, Loan Product Governance & Analytics and Loan Underwriting & Syndications. Corporate Finance also “houses” the Relationship Coverage teams for our global Resources, Energy & Infrastructure customers.
Christina has more than 25 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.
Kate Turner
Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier InvestorsKate Turner is Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier Investors. Kate supports the governance of responsible investment and integration of ESG factors across the organisation and engages with clients and stakeholders to communicate First Sentier’s approach to responsible investment. Prior to joining First Sentier Investors, Kate was an Associate Director at Sustainalytics leading its business in Australia and New Zealand, and has previously held roles at ICBC Standard Bank Plc in London and Baker & McKenzie in Sydney. Kate holds Bachelor of Laws degree and Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies with First Class Honors and University Medal from the University of Technology, Sydney.
Kylie Turner
System Lead, Sustainable Economies at Climateworks CentreKylie leads the Sustainable Economies system team at Climateworks Centre, pursuing sustainable pathways towards net zero by focusing on how we can accelerate systems change in line with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees in national and sub-national economies.
Kylie was most recently the program impact manager for the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative, working with heavy industry, finance companies and government to develop decarbonisation pathways aligned to limiting warming to 1.5℃.
Kylie has worked in government, business, and the not-for-profit sector in public affairs roles, focusing on stakeholder engagement. Her speciality is building collaborative relationships and alignment to facilitate transformation.
Kate Vidgen
Head of Industrial Transition and Clean Fuels at Green Investment GroupKate joined Macquarie in June 1998. Prior to joining Macquarie, Kate was a solicitor specialising in the energy sector and project finance.
Kate has a variety of experience across a number of sectors including infrastructure, utilities and telecommunications in both a corporate advisory capacity and as a principal. Kate’s main focus is now in energy and specifically the energy transition.
Kate is currently the Global Head of Industrial Transition and Clean Fuels for the Green Investment Group (GIG). This role involves the deployment of capital globally and actively managing those investments. The key area of investment focus is the energy transition and enabling more traditional industries to accelerate their decarbonisation and leverage from existing infrastructure and skills to do so. Kate is also leading the development of the GIG strategy beyond renewables via products such as renewable hydrogen, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel and technologies such as CCS.
Kate undertakes a variety of governance and leadership functions across Macquarie Group including as the Chair of the Macquarie Group Climate Solutions Taskforce, a cross divisional group of senior leaders aimed at fostering global collaboration in the development of strategy, products and client solutions to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation. Kate also sits on the board of Blueleaf Energy, an Asian solar and onshore wind developer owned by GIG and the Hydrogen Chemistry Company in the Netherlands.
In addition, Kate has had a range of governance experience with external organisations:
— Kate is a Member of the Australian Clean Energy Regulator Board. The Clean Energy Regulator administers schemes legislated by the Australian Government for measuring, managing, reducing or offsetting Australia's carbon emissions.
— From mid-2015 to the end of 2018, Kate was Founding Chair of Quadrant Energy, a large independent oil and gas producer and explorer in Western Australia. Quadrant Energy was the most significant oil and gas asset in Macquarie’s portfolio and was sold in November 2018 to Santos Limited for US$2.1 billion.
— From late July 2016 to end of May 2023, Kate was a Non-Executive Director of Aurizon Holdings Ltd, Australia’s largest rail freight operator and a top 100 ASX company and is the Chair of the Aurizon Remuneration and HR Committee.
Kate supports a number of not-for-profit and industry associations including sitting on the Council of Bond University in Queensland, being on the APAC Advisory Board of the Hawthorn Club and a member of the Hydrogen Sub-Committee of the Australia Korean Business Council.
Kate is a strong supporter of diversity and is a member of Queensland Chapter of Chief Executive Women and was a prior Victorian Chair and National Board Member.
Kate has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts from Bond University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Fiona Wild
Group Climate and Sustainability Officer at BHPFiona has almost 25 years’ experience in sustainability and climate change issues at multinational oil and gas and resources companies, ranging from frontline operational management to corporate strategic development across a variety of countries and businesses. She is a leading international voice on how resource companies can manage climate-related risks and support a low carbon transition in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Born in Liverpool, UK, she holds a degree and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Her PhD focused on using coral skeletons as natural indicators of climate change. She began her career with oil and gas major BP, working for several years in various operational roles in upstream exploration, downstream refining businesses, and corporate policy development at BP's headquarters in London. In these roles, she gained extensive experience in sustainability and carbon management, low carbon business and policy development, reporting and disclosure.
She joined BHP in 2010 and has held a range of senior roles including Vice President, Environment and Vice President, Sustainability and Climate Change, based in Melbourne. She was appointed to the newly-created role of Group Climate and Sustainability Officer in November 2022. In these roles, she has developed strategies to address material sustainability issues including climate change, water and biodiversity, undertaken scenario analysis and portfolio evaluation and led the implementation of operational and value chain decarbonisation, and physical risk analysis and adaptation. She manages BHP’s climate and sustainability reporting and disclosure, and governs the implementation of the Social Value Framework. She advises the Board and senior management on emerging sustainability and climate change trends and represents BHP in engagements with international NGOs, academics, peers, industry associations, governments and investors.
In December 2015, Fiona was appointed to the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, reporting to the G20, which provides the global benchmark for how financial and non-financial companies should disclose climate-related information to ensure financial risk can be better measured and managed. She also holds several Board positions, including Deputy Chair of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI) and has represented BHP at the International Council of Mining and Metals and the World Economic Forum.
Ian Woods
Principal at Ian Woods AdvisorsIan Woods (Ian Woods Advisors). Ian is one of Australia’s leading ESG experts, with over 20 years of asset management ESG experience. He was the co-founder of Australia’s peak climate change investor organisations, Investor Group for Climate Change (IGCC) and was on the Coordinating Working Group of the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI). He regularly presented at the Australian Investor Relations Association IR education days outlining the approach investors take to ESG and at the Principle of Responsible Investment (PRI) global conferences. In his advisory role he has consulted to the PRI, several other global ESG organisation and asset management organisations. Ian has recently completed a project for the IGCC on Climate Change Board Governance. He is also a member of the Chronos Sustainability International Network.
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).