Keynote speakers
Ngā mihi to the following speakers
Melissa Clark-Reynolds
Keynote speaker
Presenting | Monday 25 November
Melissa Clark-Reynolds ONZM, ChMInstD, is widely recognised as an inspirational role model and business leader.
Melissa became a Futurist and Professional Director after 25 years’ experience as a technology entrepreneur and CEO of a number of Technology companies. Melissa sits on the Boards of Weta Workshop, Atkins Ranch, Alpine Energy and Daffodil Enterprises.
She is former Deputy Chair of Radio NZ, Director of Jasmax Architects and Kiwi Insurance. Melissa was the first non-farmer Director of New Zealand Beef + Lamb, a Member of MPI’s Primary Growth Partnership Investment Advisory Panel, a Member of EECA’s LEV Panel and Chair of the LINZ Risk & Audit Committee.
Melissa works with companies to understand the future and become resilient while shaping the kind of world they want. She has a particular focus on sustainable business models and decarbonisation. Melissa received the ONZM for Services to Technology in 2015 and is a sought after speaker on what is coming next, new technologies and how we navigate complexity and uncertain futures.
Dave Letele
Keynote speaker
Presenting | Tuesday 26 November
Former professional boxer, Dave Letele (AKA Brown Buttabean), is a South Auckland community leader who uses his platform to advocate for families in need.
Having grown up with a father who was the president of the Mongrel Mob and in and out of prison throughout his childhood, Dave understands what it means to struggle.
It took Dave a near-death experience to pull him out of a downward spiral. From there, he embarked on a journey that led to him owning several businesses, playing rugby league all over the world, becoming a professional boxer, losing almost 100 kg in body weight, and starting over.
Dave is an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis, achieving his transformation purely through hard work and dedication. Starting his platform via his private Facebook group where over 10,000 people have achieved life-changing levels of weight loss, Dave went on to found his company Buttabean Motivation (BBM), where he and his team are currently working with public health and social service providers across Auckland to deliver his highly effective BBM programs to improve the health outcomes for obese people.
Often consulted by the media, and even the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, Dave's bold and no-nonsense approach has changed thousands of lives in his community and around New Zealand. In 2022, Dave was awarded with the Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the year Award for his incredible work across Aotearoa.
Nothing quite beats a real story straight from the heart, Dave will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions where you will come out the other side understanding the power of determination, perseverance, hard work, taking that first step and hope!
Nigel Latta
Keynote speaker
Presenting | Wednesday 27 November
Writer, presenter, producer and Psychologist, Nigel Latta, is gifted at blending real-world pragmatism, the latest psychological research, and humour in an engaging and thought-provoking manner. His interests include the psychology of success, dealing with difficult people, mental toughness, decision making skills, leadership, the process of change in an organisation, the ‘myth’ of happiness and stress management.
Born and raised in Oamaru, Nigel first attended Otago University, where he completed an MSc in Marine Science. He then moved to Auckland where he trained as a Clinical Psychologist and graduated with a Master of philosophy with 1st class honours in Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.He has written a novel and seven non-fiction books and presented the critically acclaimed television series “Beyond the Darklands”, which was based on his work as a forensic psychologist and the top rating “Politically Incorrect Guide to…” series.
Through his production company, Nigel has produced ‘Mind Over Money’ and a ground-breaking five part live and interactive TV series called ‘What Next’ and ‘The Curious Mind’, which explores the wonders of the human brain with the help of Baby X, the world’s most advanced virtual human infant. Other projects include a popular science primetime series titled, “Nigel Latta Blows Stuff Up” and a documentary series which investigated important societal issues within our society including alcohol, education, sugar/obesity, poverty and inequality, child abuse, crime and punishment.
For the last two decades, Nigel has worked with a number of agencies including Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation, Sex Offender Treatment Programmes, Family Therapy agencies, Child Youth and Family, Probation Services, and extensively in private practice. He continues to work as a clinical psychologist consulting throughout the country and has lectured at numerous senior courses at the New Zealand Police College.
In 2012 Nigel was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Psychology as part of the Diamond Jubilee Queen’s Birthday Honours List.