2017 SPEAKERS
MAYANK THAMMALLA
Could we turn Oil Rigs into Homes?
We as a species must adapt to the changing geography of our earth. Mayank uses an architectural design approach to look at how to shift the notion of culture and its connection to a disappearing landscape.
Mayank Thammalla grew up in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. From a young age, he was always inspired by the natural environment and knew that he was destined to work in the creative industry.
Mayank holds a Masters of Architecture. Designboon considered Myanka one of ten architectural visionaries of 2015.
Email: mayank.14@hotmail.com
MIKE SEAWRIGHT
Crossing no Man’s Land
Mike Seawright left the corporate world for conflict zones and found humanity at its best.
Since leaving the corporate world behind 13 years ago, Mike Seawright has been delivering humanitarian assistance to families living in some of the world’s worst conflict zones, Iraq, Yemen and South Sudan and most recently Syria.
Frustrated that not enough was being done to help people affected by war and conflict, Mike founded ReliefAid with a simple vision to help families who have no one else to turn to.
ReliefAid has delivered life-saving aid to over 68,000 people on the front lines in war torn Syria. While his work surrounds him in life and death circumstances Mike counts himself lucky to bear witness to what he calls “the very best of humanity”. Mike’s experience has also shown him families really are the same the world over and that we can make a difference to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Email: mike.seawright@reliefaid.org.nz
SHELLY DAVIES
Write like a Reader
We don’t like to read the formal business voice. But somehow we still feel the need to write it.
Come on, people! Reconnect with your reader-self. That formal business voice is DEAD.
Shelly Davies, Head Ninja & Rockstar Writer, lives in the Tron aka Hamilton New Zealand.
Shelly Davies is Managing Director of Hamilton-based Shelly Davies Writing & Training. Shelly bounced unconventionally and entertainingly into the New Zealand communications landscape in 2012. With a brand that’s exploded across a surprising mix of sectors and industries she’s now leading the pack.
“Brand Shelly” is out of the box, bubbly and pretty damn irresistible. Shelley's training sessions are high energy, instantly impactful and booked up to two years in advance. Shelly did her time in the classroom torturing teenagers and indoctrinating university students with academic conventions. She killed off one husband, trained up another and popped out three money-sucking vampires.
And then she discovered something amazing: good writing PAYS and like common sense, it ain’t common.
Email: shelly@shellydavies.com
MEL LEE
Pouring Wine with your Mind: A Case Study in AI and exponential growth
In the future, my workout shirt will have a mind of it’s own; I feel sorry for that thing! Mel’s upbeat perspective on the future of artificial intelligence will have you chuckling …and leave you thinking. Mel Lee, Founder of Backchat Media, lives in Katikati
Mel Lee has developed digital, social and content strategies for some of the world’s biggest brands including McDonald’s, Pepsi Co, Seven West Media and Cadbury.
In 2014 at 24 years old, Mel founded Backchat Media Ltd, a boutique agency focused on ‘digital innovation with imagination’. The company now has offices in Auckland, Melbourne and Tauranga. Mel also developed the Lady Business Bootcamp, an online programme to help females set up and run their own online businesses from anywhere.
Previously Mel held senior digital roles at OMD NZ, Southern Cross Austereo and Television New Zealand. She is also an active blogger, presenter and public speaker.
Mel’s passionate about exponential technologies, Cabernet Sauvignon and anything made out of carbohydrates.
Email: mel@backchatmedia.com
AISHA TE KANI
Unstuck
Aisha is one of a kind… the kind who refuses to accept limitations and defies expectations, no matter the odds. Aisha Te Kani, lives in Tauranga.
Aisha is a 37-year-old woman who is an accomplished public speaker and who is passionate about inspiring, motivating and introducing hope to her audience. Aisha has been invited to speak on many stages, both nationally and internationally and welcomes the opportunity to keep doing what she loves.
“My love of public speaking began when I was young when at the age of 12. I spoke for the first time in front of a school assembly sharing about my life. I am a unique New Zealander in the type of medical condition I grew up with. I use my story and different aspects of my personal experiences to encourage and inspire those I speak to.”
Email: aishtk@hotmail.com
CLAIRE BAKER
Common... Not Normal
Does the thought of discussing your private bits make you cringe? Claire talks about surprisingly common issues which most of us don’t dare discuss. Claire Baker, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, lives in Tauranga.
Claire Baker is a pelvic floor physiotherapist and health coach passionate about reconnecting women to their bodies after childbirth and beyond. Warning signs of incontinence, prolapse, bowel dysfunction and sexual dysfunction are often ignored by women and men because of shame and embarrassment or belief that these issues are “Normal”.
Claire's mission is to tell people that these issues are not normal, in fact they are super common and you do not need to put up with them.
Claire graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy from Auckland University of Technology and in 2008 completed her Clinical Masters in Brisbane, Australia.
Email: clairebaker@live.com
CHRIS BATTERSHILL
The ancient Chemical War on our Ocean floors
From below the Antarctic sea ice to sewage outfalls, Chris Battershill deep dives into the biodiversity discussion that is so relevant to our own Bay of Plenty coast line.
Chris Battershill became the inaugural Professor and Chair of Coastal Science with the University of Waikato in January 2011. He has returned to New Zealand following twelve years as leader of the Marine Resources and Biodiversity Teams at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), focusing on coastal processes, conservation, oil and gas industry development in the north and west of Australia, new species aquaculture and biodiscovery.
From an MSc in environmental toxicology (Maui Environmental Program), he completed his PhD at Auckland University in reef ecology in 1986 then undertook a three year Research Fellowship funded by the National Cancer Institute (US) based at the University of Canterbury, where he led the biological program associated discovery of anti-cancer active chemicals from New Zealand seas. He did Post Doc work in Australia and then worked at DoC and NIWA for 11 years focusing on sedimentary impacts on coastal ecosystems, sustainability of marine resource use, again building capacity in research associated with drug discovery from marine sources. The drug Halaven® and two other leads, now in late phase preclinical trial at the NCI, resulted from the New Zealand teams’ work, and four drug leads were advanced in Australia.
Chris Battershill’s research in the field of Marine Biotechnology has been based on examining the ecological role of biologically active metabolites from marine invertebrates and algae, thus allowing translation to applied uses for medicine and agriculture. The outcome is providing the leads for remedies needed by society. An underpinning driver is valuing marine biodiversity and championing its conservation.
Email: c.battershill@waikato.ac.nz
NICK HARVEY
The Unspoken Conversation
What is the key to reaching your full leadership potential and in turn your full life potential? Nick asks and answers the three key leadership questions; the answers to which transcend leadership into our daily lives. Nick Harvey, Leadership development, is based in Wellington.
Nick is a business strategist who works directly with business owners, boards, CEO’s and their leadership teams on leadership, strategy and execution.
Focusing on the three pillars of strategy, culture and the market, Nick specializes in strategic planning, team culture and customer experience with a specialization in leadership, team engagement and sales strategy.
After completing his BMS at the University of Waikato, Nick worked in the US before returning to NZ in 2002 to run his industrial packaging company.
For the past seven years, Nick has consulted to business owners and leaders throughout NZ and internationally.
Email: nick.harvey38@gmail.com
DEBRA LAMPSHIRE
Hearing Voices: an Insiders Guide to Auditory Hallucinations
Debra Lampshire, the owner of a mutinous mind, works to dismantle the barriers that prevent awareness and compassion around mental illness in our society
Debra is a professional teaching fellow at The University of Auckland and also a Project Manager for Auckland District Health Board. Debra has transferred her 30 years of the lived experience of recovery, voice hearing and the shared experiences of the consumers she has worked with, into a wealth of knowledge that is collaborative, interactive and empowering. She is a prominent leader and mentors to others within the service-user and clinical movement in New Zealand and a well know trainer, educator, writer and advocate within national and international mental health services. Recipient of the Making a Difference Award and the Supreme Award Winner of the 2017 ACC Attitude Awards.
Debra is the current Chairperson for ISPS New Zealand and a member of the executive committee for ISPS international.
Email: d.lampshire@auckland.ac.nz
LYNN BERRESFORD
The Gifted Adult
Intelligence does not always mean success in life. Lynn talks about the mixed blessings of what the world calls “gifted”.
M.Ed [Hons], Dip Teaching [Distinction], Registered Psychologist with over 40 years of experience working with adults, children and teenagers with exceptional needs. Lynn has developed extensive and practical knowledge of these individuals who learn differently and is a founding member of the Auckland group for gifted parents and gifted children.
Lynn has acted as the Gifted Education Centre consultant psychologist ever since the establishment of the centre in 1995. She was one of the “Ask an Expert” on the Ministry of Education TK1 website [Gifted and Talented Community Parent and Whanau].
She is a life member of the NZ Psychological Society and of SPELD New Zealand. She is also a member of the N.Z. Counsellors Association and N.Z. Gifted Children Association.
Lynn is a dedicated, experienced and skilled advocate for individuals who have behaviours reflecting Giftedness, Dyslexia, Attention Deficits, Dyspraxia, Aspergers etc.
Email: lynnberresford@indigo.org.nz
SARAH THOMSON
Citizen v Government: How the Rule of Law is a tool to effect change.
Sarah works as a graduate lawyer in Auckland and studied at the University of Waikato. In 2015, with the help of law firm LeeSalmonLong, Sarah filed judicial review proceedings challenging the New Zealand government’s inadequate climate change targets.
Sarah is asking the High Court to review the government’s decision to set New Zealand’s emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement at 11% below 1990 levels by 2030. She also seeks review of the government’s failure to revise the 2050 target and set it in accordance with current climate science. The hearing was in June this year,with the final judgment still to be released.
Email: sarahlorrainethomson@gmail.com
PLUM JAM
Entertainment / Performance.
Plum Jam are a five piece contemporary/funk jazz combo out of Tauranga Boys College. We have 20+ years musical experience combined and have competed in several prestigious music and jazz competitions in NZ.
Our versatility in playing styles makes us ideal for both large scale and intimate events as we are able to change our arrangements to suit the occasion.
Mobile: 027 346 2223 Email: akashd98@yahoo.co.nz
FREDDY MATARIKI CARR
Entertainment / Performance.
Have you ever seen someone combine rhythmic hoop gymnastics with modern dance? Ok but how about with two hoops? Yeah, but with hoops that glow in the dark? Thought so.
Freddy Matariki Carr is a flow artist and dancer that travels the world drawing inspiration from foreign lands and layering them with a uniquely New Zealand performance. Graceful, soothing, and beautiful.
Mobile: 027 3447979
TOKA TU
Entertainment / Performance.
Haka fusion combines the immense power of Māori kapahaka with the buoyancy of hip hop. We need a modern interpretation of a unique Aotearoa music and dance culture, and Toka Tu’s athleticism, story-telling and wild poi work are the best example I’ve seen.
Toka Tu will lead the New Zealand pop culture renaissance if New Zealand pop culture knows what’s good for it.
Mobile: 027 722 5452
Email: kila@southseas.co.nz
