EHA Co-Chair | CEO of Waiheke Resources Trust

Over the past decade Mike has been involved in running and managing NGOs in Aotearoa New Zealand. He lives on Waiheke Island and acts as the CEO of the Waiheke Resources Trust. After serving on the board of Environmental Hubs Aotearoa for three years, he was elected to the position of Co-Chair. His time here has taught him that we effect meaningful large-scale change, as we collectively challenge established norms, innovate, and envision best practices within the environmental sector.

E: chair@environmenthubs.nz

EHA Co-Chair | Community Programmes Manager at Beautification Trust

Sterling is a dedicated conservation and sustainability expert with a passion for empowering communities and protecting te taiao. She combines a deep respect for indigenous Maaori knowledge with practical strategies to address an ever-changing world. Sterling leads impactful initiatives to help South Auckland communities reduce waste, combat illegal dumping, and take meaningful action for the environment. With a focus on behaviour change and community-driven solutions, she’s committed to making sustainability accessible, achievable, and deeply connected to the people it serves.

Board Member of Go Eco, Hamilton and Environment Network Manawatū

“Ko Ellieda Komene tōku ingoa.
Ko Ngāpuhi taku iwi.
No Kirikiriroa ahau.”

Ellieda has a background in education, community and social services, health and local and central government sectors.

In her spare time, she enjoys tramping, taking part in community activities, reading, spending time in the garden and exploring Aotearoa.

She is passionate about social and environmental issues, helping people and working with communities.

Partnerships Manager at WAI Wānaka

Following a varied corporate career in senior executive, change management and troubleshooting roles, for the past 7 years Julie has focussed on supporting community-led action in and around Wānaka, including as Partnerships Manager for EHA’s newest Hub, WAI Wānaka.

Julie’s role with WAI Wānaka started her on a journey to find ways to better support community effort and she is keen to apply her experience and skills to assist the EHA Board. Julie has a strong interest in improving impact and outcomes in the for-purpose sector through harnessing collaborative effort, sharing knowledge and reducing duplication.

Julie moved permanently to Wānaka in 2017 with her husband Geoff and their two dogs, Moose and Mango. Julie has fully embraced life in Wānaka and along with daily dog walks she enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, swimming and kayaking.

Board member at Nelson Environment Centre - Research Fellow at University of Auckland

Born and raised in former East Germany, Marco initially worked in banking before studying management and later becoming a management consultant. After moving to Aotearoa, he discovered his love for philosophy and decided to pursue academia instead. Specialising in ethics, political and social philosophy, and environmental philosophy, Marco now works as a research fellow focused on issues such as climate change, human consumption, and social practices. Committed to ensuring that philosophy has a tangible impact on communities and that theory informs practice in his own life, he also serves on the board of Nelson Environment Centre.

Independent

Originally from Northumberland in the UK, Sadie spent 14 years working in London before moving to Aotearoa in 2017 and making Tāmaki Makaurau her home.

Since arriving, she has worked primarily with a large professional services firm, where she helped to develop their sustainability strategy and reporting, while also completing a Master’s in Management Studies with a focus on sustainability. Sadie recently stepped into a new role as Sustainability Manager at a leading New Zealand aged care provider.

Sadie is passionate about protecting te taiao (our natural world) and believes in the power and resilience of communities. She is committed to fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and shared purpose to help build a sustainable future.

Outside of work, Sadie keeps busy with family life, enjoys spending time outdoors, and connecting with others through community projects and initiatives.

Senior Programme Lead- Carbon, Toitū Envirocare | Board member at Sustainable Hawke's Bay | Community Lead- Electrify Hawke's Bay.

Originally from Mumbai, India, Uttam has built his career at the intersection of primary industry and climate action. With operational experience in the wine and viticulture industry across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, he brings a deep understanding of sustainability in practice - from production systems to environmental certification and compliance.

Uttam supports organisations to take credible climate action through robust greenhouse gas measurement, reporting, and reduction aligned with international standards such as ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol, through his work at Toitū Envirocare. He is passionate about ensuring equity in the transition - making climate action accessible, inclusive, and grounded in both science and community values.

Now based in Hawke’s Bay, Uttam applies a strong systems lens to building regional climate resilience, recognising that thriving communities depend on both environmental and social wellbeing.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi - With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
This whakataukī reflects his belief that collaboration and shared responsibility are essential to meaningful climate progress.

Jordi is a veterinarian whose work has always been grounded in kaitiakitanga - from her earliest days as a vet through to leading national biodiversity initiatives. Currently at the Department of Conservation, she connects biodiversity to agriculture and food systems, including pioneering work linking wild animal management to meat recovery.

Her mahi spans from Northland to Southland and paddock to parliament. Jordi serves on governance and advisory roles across membership-based organisations, mentors emerging leaders in the agrifood sector, and brings a growth mindset that asks "What if?", "Why not?" and "How?" to community-led change.

Based in the Manawatū, Jordi is a 2024 Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme Scholar and a military spouse. Outside of work, she finds joy in paddleboarding, ocean swimming, cultivating an orchard on her quarter acre (and figuring out what to do with an abundance of lemons from an 80 year old tree!), and making terrific cakes and terrible puns.

Board Shadow

Jen has been involved in the environmental sector through pest control and monitoring roles, supporting native biodiveristy and water quality and initiatives with Te Papa Atawahi, at regional council.

She has worked with community and schools through Enviroschools network and in the tertiary sector in Sustainable Practice. Through this she has helped people discover new behaviors that support a positive climate future and give tamariki and rangitahi the skills and confidence to take positive action that makes a difference in their community. 

Currently she is managing a place-based community group with a focus on connecting people with each other, their environment and how they can contribute to a community that's a great place to live and work.