Wao Summit 2024 Speakers
Wao Summit 2024 Speakers
The good humans who will be gracing the stage at this year’s Wao 2024 Summit.
Sarah Forder
Sarah, with a BSc in Environmental Science and MSc in Conservation Biology, has 17 years with DOC and extensive conservation experience. She now works with Southern Lakes Sanctuary.
Dr. Melissa Robson-Williams
Dr. Melissa Robson-Williams, a senior researcher at Manaaki Whenua, holds a PhD in Organic Agriculture and specializes in managing socio-environmental impacts on land and water.
Aimee Blake
Aimee, a systems thinker and storyteller, co-founded Girls who Grow and chairs Future Farmers. She’s a senior consultant at EY, a 6th-generation farmer, and yoga teacher.
John McCrae
John, a third-generation farmer at Glendhu Station, Wānaka, is known for innovative, sustainable farming on 1,300 hectares, focusing on organic practices, soil health, and community engagement.
Mike Baker
Mike Baker, TMCo’s Managing Director, is a chartered engineer, Green Star Accredited Professional, NABERSNZ Assessor, and Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority partner. He’ll lead the Carbon Counting workshop at Wao Summit 2024.
Ben Hunter
Ben Hunter, a senior Hydraulic and Mechanical engineer at TMCo Queenstown, brings extensive experience in net-zero carbon designs and advanced building services from Ireland and Canada.
Jo Underwood
Jo, a Wānaka-based Registered Architect, specializes in sustainable, high-performance design for residential and commercial projects, including Passive House and Homestar, both in NZ and abroad.
Harry Latkin
Harry Lakin, TMCo’s Queenstown Office Manager and Senior Mechanical Engineer, previously managed engineering for Queen Elizabeth II’s estates. He focuses on efficient, sustainable design and operations.
Rochana Moon
Rochana Moon, founder of Wise Moon Wellness, is a herbalist and naturopath offering consultations, workshops, and herbal products, focusing on plant-based holistic wellbeing in Wanaka.
Tony Calder
Tony, Director at ahha Architecture, is a carpenter and designer who focuses on enhancing functionality by understanding human, environmental, and technical needs. He combines buildability with material knowledge to create optimal solutions.
Mark Anderson
Fifth-generation farmer Mark, with his wife Madeline and their children, leads a 560ha dairy farm in Waiwera South, championing holistic and nature-aligned farming practices.
Dr Carly Green
Carly, with 20+ years in climate change mitigation, founded Environmental Accounting Services and advises on land use, carbon standards, and policy from her home in Wānaka.
Arthur Lee
Arthur is the Sustainability and Development Officer at Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust. He specialises in Passive House design and carbon assessment, focusing on high-performance residential developments.
Julia Blackford
Julia, a food scientist with 20 years’ experience, specialises in plant-based products, sustainability, food resilience, and food systems amid the climate and energy crisis.
Jodie Jarvis
Jodie, a first-year PhD student in Social Anthropology at the University of Otago, studies the emotional impact of climate change to aid those facing similar struggles.
Josh Atkins
Josh, a Queenstown builder and certified Passive House and Homestar expert, leads Compound Builders in creating innovative, energy-efficient homes with top architects and consultants.
Miranda Brown
Miranda, an artist and biophilic designer, connects people to nature through her sustainable designs and art, enhancing wellbeing and inspiring environmental stewardship.