Meet our speakers

Paul Ash is Chief Executive of the Christchurch Call Foundation, leading global efforts to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. He has guided the Christchurch Call initiative since its inception, building partnerships across governments, tech companies, and civil society. Previously, Paul served as the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Cyber and Digital (2020–2024) and led national security policy and cyber policy teams within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. His diplomatic career includes postings in Brussels, Solomon Islands, Beijing, and Taipei​​​​​​​.

Naina Subberwal Batra is a leading voice in Asia’s social investment and impact space. As CEO of AVPN, the region’s largest network of social investors, she has expanded the community more than fourfold and transformed AVPN into a key platform mobilising capital and collaboration across the full ecosystem, from catalytic philanthropy to impact investing and corporate sustainability. Naina serves on the Boards of the Blue Earth Foundation, the Menzies Foundation, and Blue Planet Environmental Solutions. Naina’s contributions have been widely recognised, including featuring on the Devex Power 50 list (2026), the Tatler Asia’s Most Influential list (2025, 2021), and one of CSRWorks’ Asia’s Top Sustainability Superwomen (2019). She was also a 2022 Fellow at The Bellagio Center Residency Program.

Rueben Berg is a proud Gunditjmara man and Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. A candidate for the Metropolitan Region in the 2026 Assembly Elections, he has been instrumental in advancing Victoria’s Treaty process, contributing extensively to the development of the Treaty Negotiation Framework and leading engagement with the State. Trained as an architect, Rueben is the founder of Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria and has held several significant public leadership appointments, including serving as Chair of Westernport Water - the first Aboriginal person to hold such a position in Victoria. He remains a committed cultural advocate and leader dedicated to strengthening outcomes for First Nations people across the state.

Jim Bildner is the CEO of DRK, one of the world’s largest venture philanthropy firms, where he has witnessed the transformative power of social enterprises across hundreds of investments. A frequent keynote speaker, Jim blends candid reflection, practical insight and inspiring stories that illuminate how individuals can drive meaningful change to make a difference in the world. He is an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School and a frequent contributor to leading publications, including the Stanford Social Innovation Review. A longtime trustee of The Kresge Foundation and founder of its social investment practice, Jim has also held senior roles across the private, public and nonprofit sectors. A lifelong sailor and pilot, Jim is a force for good who believes purpose is found through service to others.

Jamie Choi is the Chief Executive Officer of Tara Climate Foundation, an Asia-based philanthropic organisation working to build a more prosperous and sustainable future for the region, with a just energy transition at the heart of its mission. Under her leadership, Tara has grown into one of the region’s leading climate foundations, supporting more than 400 partners across 12 Asian geographies. With over 20 years of experience in philanthropy and civil society, Jamie has dedicated her career to advancing climate and environmental initiatives across Asia. She serves as a Commissioner of the Energy Transitions Commission and was recognised as an Asia 21 Fellow by the Asia Society in 2011. ​​​

Tim Dixon is the Cofounder of More in Common, an organisation dedicated to strengthening inclusive, resilient democracies in the face of polarisation. A serial social entrepreneur, Tim has cofounded multiple social initiatives since 2010, including The Syria Campaign, Purpose Europe and the Jo Cox Foundation. He previously worked as chief speechwriter and senior adviser to two Australian Prime Ministers and has led More in Common’s research and programs across Europe and the United States. Tim began his career as a lawyer, later building and selling an education publishing company, and has advised global leaders, CEOs and social movements on engaging diverse communities. He is also a frequent speaker and contributor to international media. ​

Trista Harris is a renowned philanthropic futurist who advocates for the use of futurism to address critical community challenges worldwide. Her groundbreaking work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and many social sector blogs. Trista is the President of FutureGood, a consultancy that helps visionaries create a better future, and the author of two books. Prior to her work at FutureGood, Trista served as President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, a thriving grant-making community that awards over $1.5 billion annually. She was also the Executive Director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice and a Program Officer at Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. ​

Marika Hedin is a historian and leader in Sweden’s research and cultural sectors. Elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for her contributions to the humanities and to science, she holds a PhD in history from Stockholm University, with research spanning Swedish liberalism, the history of science, and the Nobel Prizes. Marika has advanced public understanding of research through books, educational work, and media. She has led major institutions including the Vasa Museum, Uppsala University’s Gustavianum, and the Nobel Museum, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Uppsala University as well as H.M. The King’s Medal. She is currently CEO of Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, supporting the humanities and social sciences.

Dex Hunter-Torricke has spent almost two decades at the intersection of technology, international affairs and public life – advising founders and leaders of some of the world’s most consequential organisations, including SpaceX, Facebook/Meta, Google and the United Nations, while developing a deepening conviction that the decisions being made inside those institutions are inadequate to the scale of what is coming.​ The son of a refugee from Burma and an immigrant from Malaysia, and the first in his family to earn a university degree, he brings both an insider’s understanding of how these systems work and an outsider’s clarity about who they too often fail.

Lourdes Inga (Quechua) brings over two decades of experience in international philanthropy focused on indigenous rights, gender equality, and social justice. As the Executive Director of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP), Lourdes leads initiatives to expand Indigenous Philanthropy, support Indigenous-Led Funds, and advocate for increased funding resources for Indigenous Peoples worldwide. With past leadership roles at The Christensen Fund and The Global Fund for Women, She serves on the board of the Equality Fund and is part of the Indigenous Philanthropic Advisory Group, Decolonizing Wealth. She has served on multiple boards and advisory roles. ​​

David is Queensland’s Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership, and has represented Toowoomba South since 2016. Raised on a dairy farm near Acland, he holds economics and law (honours) degrees from the University of Queensland. His career includes work with Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Brisbane and the Manpower Group in London. Returning to Toowoomba in 2007, he spent a decade in senior roles at People First Bank, including General Counsel, and was recognised by Doyle’s Guide in 2015. He has served on several boards and was a founding director of Vanguard Laundry. He is honoured to serve in the Crisafulli Government as it delivers a fresh start for Queensland.

Joanna Kerr is a globally recognised leader, strategist, and executive coach who works at the intersection of climate and nature, Indigenous rights, social justice, and long‑term systemic change. She has led major global organisations including the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), ActionAid International, Greenpeace, and MakeWay. Joanna has worked in more than 50 countries to advance Indigenous‑led, community‑centred and regenerative approaches to climate and social equity. She is the Founder and Principal of NutHatch, where she partners with philanthropists and systems‑change leaders to help them see more clearly, lead with courage, and invest in futures where people and planet can thrive. ​

Anita Patel is Vice President of Grantmaking at the Bush Foundation, providing strategic leadership for the foundation’s investments and partnerships. She guides grantmaking that is relational, catalytic and rooted in community insight, and serves on the foundation’s management team supporting board strategy and governance. She also chairs the boards of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Before joining Bush in 2015, Anita spent more than a decade at the YWCA of Minneapolis advancing racial justice and public policy initiatives. Her earlier work includes domestic violence and immigrant and refugee services.

Brian is the Chief Investment Officer at Aboriginal Investment NT, where he leads investment strategy to advance economic selfdetermination and build intergenerational wealth for Indigenous communities. A proud Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean man, he brings more than 15 years’ experience across investment management, governance, and strategic leadership in both the public and private sectors. Previously Managing Partner at First Australians Capital and a Director at JBWere, Brian has been a consistent champion for embedding Indigenous leadership in Australia’s investment landscape. He chairs ARRCS, is a Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Institute, and serves on the investment committees of the NAB Foundation and the Noongar Boodja Trust.