Speakers & Contributors.

8–9th June 2023 / Tākina,Wellington

Announcing our speakers and contributors at Festival for the Future 2023!

From world class entrepreneurs to leaders of business and government, to young people leading change in grassroots communities – the people who speak at Festival challenge and inspire us to dream big, to push boundaries, and make a difference for our future. Scroll down to see the incredible line up of speakers and contributors at a glance, or click through to read their full bios.

See the Programme >

Tory Whanau – Festival for the Future — Tory Whanau
Mayor of Wellington – passionate about a more inclusive and sustainable future for the Aotearoa New Zealand’s Capital City.

Florence Van Dyke – Festival for the Future — Florence Van Dyke
Head of Sustainability at NZTE, and Co-founder of Chia Sisters – Aotearoa’s first solar powered beverage company.

James Laughlin – Festival for the Future — James Laughlin
High-Performance Leadership Coach, x7 world champion drummer, and Founder & Host of the Lead on Purpose Podcast.

Mindy Leow – Festival for the Future — Mindy Leow
Director of Growth & Impact at B Lab – a global movement helping thousands of businesses become a force for good.

Alex Worker – Festival for the Future — Alex Worker
Chair of Future Food Aotearoa – working to accelerate the growth and impact of future food and foodtech businesses.

Dr Mahsa McCauley – Festival for the Future — Dr Mahsa McCauley
Director of Women in Tech at AUT University, Founder & Director of She#. Expert in AI and machine-learning.

Ben Gleisner – Festival for the Future — Ben Gleisner
Global CEO of CoGo – helping individuals and businesses to better understand and reduce their impact on the climate.

Eteroa Lafaele – Festival for the Future — Eteroa Lafaele
Software engineer and community leader, passionate about equity and increasing access to opportunity and technology.

Brianne West – Festival for the Future — Brianne West
Founder of the global beauty brand Ethique, and Founder of Nous Labs – a $20M impact investment fund.

Hon James Shaw – Festival for the Future — Hon James Shaw
Minister for Climate Change, Associate Minister for the Environment, and Co-leader of the Green Party.

Sophie Handford – Festival for the Future — Sophie Handford
Councillor at Kāpiti District Council, and Founder of the School Strike 4 Climate in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Toby Lane – Festival for the Future — Toby Lane
CEO of NewFish – harnessing the power of microscopic marine and fresh water algae to revolutionise the food system.

Zac Robinson – Festival for the Future — Zac Robinson
Co-founder of Ārepa – a Kiwi beverage company on a mission to teach people more about their brain.

Ali Muhammad – Festival for the Future — Ali Muhammad
Former refugee and community advocate, passionate about sport, youth identity issues and human rights.

Emeline Paat-Dahlstroom – Festival for the Future — Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom
International Space University Alumni, Entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceBase – democratising access to space.

Pera Barrett – Festival for the Future — Pera Barrett
Experienced leader, product development specialist and entrepreneur, passionate about Te Ao Māori and equity.

Guy Ryan – Festival for the Future — Guy Ryan
Founder of Inspiring Stories, Festival for the Future and The Impact Awards – backing young New Zealanders.

Vivian Chandra – Festival for the Future — Vivian Chandra
Educator and facilitator, passionate about diversity and inclusion, digital equity, and all things tech.

Cheyenne Wilson – Festival for the Future — Cheyenne Wilson
Founder & Director of Te Kaharangi Hono – a specialist Māori Agribusiness and whenua Māori consulting firm.

James Palmer – Festival for the Future — James Palmer
Chief Executive and Secretary for the Environment at Ministry for the Environment.

Elle Archer
Experienced leader in business, governance and technology, Chair of Te Matarau – The Māori Tech Association.

Image of Dylan Chand – speaking at Festival for the Future — Dylan Chand
Engineering and computer science student, passionate about action for climate and community resilience.

Darryl-Lee Wendelborn
Award-winning engineer and Managing Director of Beca New Zealand, champion for diversity and incluision.

Image of Quack Pirihi – speaking at Festival for the Future — Quack Pirihi
Making a difference for tangata Takatāpui. Mobilising whānau to stand in their mana motuhake and restore tino rangatiratanga.

Image of Hana Tapiata – speaking at Festival for the Future — Hana Tapiata
Author and podcast host. Passionate about wellbeing, Matauranga Māori and indigenous wisdom.

Devon Murph-Davids
CEO of Inspiring Stories. Passionate about great leadership, and supporting the next generation to realise their potential.

Image of Dr Johnson Witehira – speaking at Festival for the Future — Dr Johnson Witehira
Artist, researcher, and co-founder of Apōpō and Indigenous Design & Innovation Aotearoa (IDIA).

Tara Shepherd
Champion for inclusion and sustainability. General Executive Member of the National Disabled Students’ Association.

Image of Erin Matariki Carr – speaking at Festival for the Future — Erin Matariki Carr
Lawyer, researcher and facilitator with a focus on constitutional transformation.

Image of Shay Wright – speaking at Festival for the Future — Shay Wright
Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leader, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Te Whare Hukahuka.

Image of Melissa Wragge – speaking at Festival for the Future — Melissa Wragge
A world-leading system-design strategist and applied innovation expert, passionate about learning from nature.

Image of Jesse Armstrong – speaking at Festival for the Future — Jesse Armstrong
Co-founder and CEO of Vaka. Passionate about creativity and innovation, and backing the next generation.

Image of Laura O'Connell Rapira speaking at Festival for the Future — Laura O’Connell Rapira
Experienced leader, campaigner and movement builder, passionate about equity and climate justice.

Anthony Ruakere
Partner at Deloitte, passionate about addressing the socio-economic inequities that exist in Aotearoa.

Image of Vira Paky speaking at Festival for the Future — Vira Paky
A Congolese New Zealander who thrives at the intersection of arts, community engagement and social impact.

Image of Tric Malcolm speaking at Festival for the Future — Tric Malcolm
Addressing the root causes of food poverty and creating sustainable solutions for a food secure Aotearoa.

Image of Colleen Thorpe speaking at Festival for the Future — Colleen Thorpe
Engineer and Industrial Sustainability Lead at Beca, leading the integration of circular economy principles.

Image of Jade Waetford speaking at Festival for the Future — Jade Waetford
Facilitator at M3 Mindfulness, business owner, mother, and facilitator with a passion for wellbeing and Toi Māori.

Afnan Kayed
Designer with a mission to create positive change for those in our society who are often overlooked or misunderstood.

Image of Stephanie Meyers speaking at Festival for the Future — Stephanie Meyers
Partner at Deloitte, specialising in public sector and transformation, improving outcomes for customers and communities.

Image of Kylie Paekau speaking at Festival for the Future — Jade Waetford
Facilitator at M3 Mindfulness, business owner, mother, and facilitator with a passion for wellbeing and Toi Māori.

Tahlia Conrad-Hinga
Designer & storyteller, passionate about elevating indigenous voice and experience.

Image of Mary Moeono-Kolio speaking at Festival for the Future — Mary Moeono-Kolio
Fighting for climate justice, representing Aotearoa on the world stage with the Pacific Climate Warriors.

Caitlin Pilcher
Experience designer passionate about uncovering human-centred solutions to complex problems

Christina Leef
Kaimahi at Ara Taiohi, working to amplify the voices and aspirations of young people and indigenous whānau.

Cara Adler speaking at Festival for the Future — Cara Adler
Designer and researcher with a background in cultural anthropology and psychology.

Join us at Festival for the Future 2023!

See the Programme >