Meet the Summit Speakers
Ed Barker
Manager, Partridge Advisory
Ed Barker has been supporting New Zealand businesses in the tech and innovation industries with risk and insurance advice for over 5 years. Before that, he worked for 9 years tackling a wide range of critical public-facing projects and programmes. In every project he has led, the end-user or customer has remained at the centre. He brings that view to the insurance sector, ensuring that customers remain at the centre of the process from start to finish.
He's a passionate cheerleader for New Zealand businesses in the tourism, tech, and innovation sectors and can often be found helping people understand their risk position so they can insure against the things that keep them up at night.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science, International Relations) and is a qualified PRINCE2 Project Practitioner.
In his spare time, Ed enjoys exploring NZ with his family, getting into the bush, playing video games, having a bash on the drums, and keeping up to date with music.
Ngahihi o te ra Bidois
The Face of New Zealand
Ngahihi o te ra Bidois is “The Face of New Zealand.” He is known for his impactful storytelling that moves audiences emotionally and intellectually.
As a distinguished Māori leader, speaker and cultural ambassador, his tourism experiences include his own VIP tourism business. As a Professional Director he currently sits on 7 boards including Tauhara North No.2 Trust, which developed Tamaki tours into the award-winning Te Pa Tu tourist attraction.
Ngahihi blends ancient Māori wisdom with modern leadership tools under his powerful tagline “Ancient Wisdom – Modern Solutions”.
He is a recipient of the National Professional Speakers Association New Zealand Speaker of the Year, New Zealand Inspirational Speaker of the Year and New Zealand Master of Ceremonies of the year Awards.
Ngahihi holds a Business Marketing degree, a postgraduate teaching diploma, a tourism qualification, an advanced Certificate in Company Direction and a Master’s degree in Education with honours.
Paul Conway
Director of Economics and Chief Economist, Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Paul Conway became the Reserve Bank’s Director of Economics and Chief Economist in May 2022. He joined the Reserve Bank from BNZ where he had been Chief Economist since January 2021.
Before joining BNZ Paul spent 7 years as the Director of Economics and Research at the New Zealand Productivity Commission. Much of Paul’s work at the Commission was focused on firm-level productivity and understanding the obstacles New Zealand businesses face in using technology to improve performance.
Paul has extensive international experience and has previously worked at the OECD and with the World Bank. Paul initially started his career at the Reserve Bank as an economist after studying at Victoria of University of Wellington and Otago University.
Corin Dann
Political Journalist
Corin Dann is a senior journalist and broadcaster with over 25 years’ experience covering news, politics and economics. He currently works at RNZ hosting the flagship show Morning Report and co-hosting the new political history podcast Context. Highlights from Corin’s career include reporting live from the US Presidential election, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and behind the wire in Iraq. He lives in Wellington with his wife and sons. When not working Corin loves surfing, playing guitar and walking his black Labrador, Stanley.
Alex Dykman
Founder, Grow Tourism
Driven by a passion for people and possibility, Alex Dykman works at the intersection of tourism, people, and technology - on a mission to ensure the industry is ready for tomorrow. As founder of learning and development platform Grow Tourism, she’s determined to position the visitor economy as one of the most fulfilling and exciting career paths for the next generation. Also the founder of marketing agency Maverick Tourism, Alex has seen first-hand how rapidly technology is reshaping our industry - and she’s here for it! Known for her candid, entrepreneurial approach to tackling tourism’s challenges, she’s helping the sector embrace change and build a vibrant future.
Nadia Ellis
Founder, Curiosity
Nadia Ellis is an AI strategist and founder of Curiosity, a consultancy dedicated to translating AI innovation into business strategy and sustainable growth. Since early 2023, she has spent thousands of hours hands-on with advanced AI tools, specialising in prompt engineering, intelligent automation, and practical implementation. Nadia is a certified partner of leading AI platforms including Cassidy.ai, Relay.app, and Autohive, and is an active member of global practitioner communities AI Build Lab and The AI Exchange.
With a 20-year marketing career behind her, including leadership as GM Marketing at RealNZ, Cardrona & Treble Cone (where her team won NZ Marketing Team of the Year), governance experience on the Board of Directors for Lake Wānaka Tourism, and a Master of Science with Distinction in Digital Marketing, Nadia brings a rare combination of strategic insight and applied expertise.
Today she works with executive teams, boards, and business leaders on AI transformation. Known for her warmth, humour, and commercial nous, she helps organisations lead AI strategy with confidence, design AI agents that boost creativity and connection, and build cultures ready for an AI-powered future.
Izzy Fenwick
Director, The Aotearoa Circle
Izzy Fenwick is a sustainability advocate and entrepreneur. With a background in communications and psychology, her work focuses on how human behaviour, business strategy, and policy can accelerate the action needed to build a more sustainable and prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand. She is the co-founder of Futureful, an ESG-based talent platform, and a Fellow of both India’s Observer Research Foundation (a leading geopolitical think tank) and New Zealand’s NEXT Foundation. Izzy also serves on the board of The Aotearoa Circle, a public–private partnership dedicated to restoring natural capital and securing long-term prosperity. Her work increasingly explores the global forces shaping climate ambition, and the role of diplomacy, leadership, and innovation in navigating them.
Charles Finny
Partner, Saunders Unsworth
Charles Finny is a partner at public relations consultancy Saunders Unsworth. He has extensive international trade experience having helped negotiate several of New Zealand’s FTAs. He advises a number of clients internationally and domestically on current geopolitical challenges. Charles Chairs the NZTE Board and is on the Board of Invest New Zealand and Woolyarns Holdings. He is a former Chair of Education New Zealand and has served on the Board of the New Zealand Film Commission and Victoria University Council. Charles is a former CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and has worked at MFAT, the former Department of Trade and Industry and Prime Minister’s Department. He has served overseas in Singapore, Beijing and Taipei.
Chris Helder
Chris Helder has been one of Australia's most sought after speakers for the last 20 years. He has presented over 2,500 times at conferences and events all over the world, sharing his insights and strategies on how to communicate effectively, inspire and motivate teams, and achieve success in business and life.
Chris is known for his energetic, engaging presentation style and his ability to use real-life examples and humour to drive his message home.
Jason Hill
Managing Director, Tourism Talent
Jason has held a variety of senior management and governance roles across the New Zealand tourism industry and is currently Managing Director of Tourism Talent and Meneth Consulting.
Prior roles include Head of Auckland Tourism, Regional Manager Japan & Korea at Tourism New Zealand based in Tokyo, GM Marketing at Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, and Marketing Manager at BTM Marketing.
Governance roles include Tourism Bay of Plenty, Chair - ICE Group, Tūwharetoa Tongariro Tourism Hub, AUT Tourism School advisory board, NZ Cruise Association, i-site NZ, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and Te Haerenga (an arm of Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki iwi).
Jason led the development of the Destination AKL 2025 Plan, New Zealand’s first Destination Management Plan launched in May 2018 and was the lead consult writing the Destination Management Plan for Northland in 2021.
Sam Howarth
Chief Revenue Officer, Angus & Associates
Sam Howarth is Chief Revenue Officer at Angus & Associates. Angus & Associates helps tourism organisations to capture real perspectives and deliver insights into employee experience, customer experience and brand performance. With a career spanning sales, customer experience and leadership across tech, services, membership and events, Sam is driven by creating experiences that people rave about and remember.
Rebecca Ingram
Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Aotearoa
Rebecca Ingram joined TIA as Chief Executive in March 2022, bringing with her over 20 years of experience across tourism, marketing, event management, advocacy and stakeholder relations.
Rebecca describes herself as ‘tourism’s biggest champion’ and is passionate about supporting the industry to build its resilience and impact through economic, social, environmental and cultural contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through her strong network with key decision makers and relationships into government, she successfully advocates on behalf of the industry. As the driving force being the development of Tourism 2050 – a Blueprint for Impact, she has helped to establish a clear strategy for the industry, articulating a shared mission and vision, and clearly conveying the industry’s ambitions for the future and plan to get there.
Jenny-May Clarkson,
MC
Jenny-May Clarkson is a New Zealand netball player, sports commentator and television presenter. She is currently Breakfast's News presenter.
Jenny-May previously played for the Silver Ferns, New Zealand's national netball team, for which she was the vice-captain in 2001. She also played for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the National Bank Cup between 1998–2004 and the Auckland Diamonds in 2007; she also played one season in the ANZ Championship in 2008 for the Southern Steel and was signed to play with the Northern Mystics in 2010.
Jenny-May began sports commentary in 2001, she first joined TVNZ as the netball commentator for the National Bank Cup on ONE Sport - the same year she became vice-captain of the Silver Ferns netball team. Jenny-May has since gone on to work in various roles for TVNZ as a reporter, newsreader and presenter including being the weekend sports presenter & sports producer during the weekdays, presenting sport on TV One on Mondays and Tuesdays, and was a news presenter on TVNZ 7.
Her television career has also included presenting Maori Television sports show Code and in 2003 she competed on Celebrity Treasure Island.
Outside of her media work, she has also worked as a police officer, as assistant coach for netball's Northern Mystics, and has mentored young athletes through organisation High Performance Sport NZ.
Felicity Roxburgh
Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF)
Felicity Roxburgh is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF), where she leads the Forum’s engagement on key trade and economic policy issues and represents the interests of internationally focused businesses in dialogue with government and international partners.
Felicity brings nearly two decades of experience in international trade, foreign policy, and regional engagement, with a strong focus on geopolitics and the Indo-Pacific. She most recently served as New Zealand’s Consul-General in New Caledonia and has held a broad range of roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with postings in Hong Kong, New York, and the Pacific.
Earlier in her career, Felicity served as Director, Business at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, where she led initiatives to strengthen New Zealand’s business and people-to-people links across Asia. She has a Master's in Communication Studies and a degree in journalism.
Nikhil Ravishankar
Incoming Chief Executive Officer, Air New Zealand
Nikhil Ravishankar is Air New Zealand's incoming Chief Executive Officer, taking up the role on 20 October 2025. He is currently Chief Digital Officer, a role he has held since joining the airline in September 2021. Prior to Air New Zealand, Nikhil was Chief Digital Officer at Vector New Zealand, leading the company's digital and information technology function and its transformation programme since 2017. Before this, he was a Managing Director at Accenture in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand and held technology strategy and transformation leadership roles at Telecom New Zealand (Spark).
Nikhil holds a Bachelor of Science, Computer Science and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Auckland and is an advisor and mentor for the university's Strategic CIO program. He's also a member of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) AUTEUR Influencer Network, on the board of New Zealand Asian Leaders and an advisory committee member of The Auckland Blues Foundation.
Toni Truslove
Strategic Consultant, Ghost Dynamics
Toni Truslove is a Strategic Consultant at Ghost Dynamics, helping leaders turn global economic, geopolitical, and technological change into opportunities for growth and impact. She works with organisations to understand abstract trends and translate them into practical strategies that harness their unique strengths. Previously the Global CEO of Kea New Zealand, Toni led one of the world’s largest nation-based networks, mobilising innovation, technology, and connections across borders to drive trade, investment, and opportunity. An experienced speaker, she shares insights on navigating complexity, leveraging New Zealand’s competitive edge, and turning global shifts into actionable growth.
Hon. Louise Upston
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
Louise Upston is the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Minister for Disability Issues, Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Child Poverty Reduction and Deputy Leader of the House. She has served as the MP for Taupō since the 2008 election.
Louise held a number of Ministerial roles in the Fifth National Government, including the portfolios of Corrections, Education, Land Information, Local Government, Women, and Tertiary Education Skills and Employment. She also served as Government Chief Whip.
Prior to entering Parliament in 2008, Louise was self-employed as a project management consultant. She also held directorships in a number of trusts and companies involved in property, tourism, management, and consulting. Louise holds an MBA from Waikato University.
Fraser Walker
National Business Development Manager, Emergence Insurance
Fraser Walker leads Emergence's initiatives in New Zealand, leveraging over 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. Originally from Scotland, Fraser's expertise spans logistics, marine underwriting, and various liability lines, now focusing on the dynamic field of cyber insurance.
Throughout his career, Fraser has held senior underwriting and distribution roles within multinational insurers and has recently served in executive positions at global Fortune 500 companies.
Fraser is committed to growing Emergence's brand and presence, leveraging his extensive network of brokers and providers in New Zealand to introduce and expand Emergence's innovative offerings in the market.