Our People

Chief Executive

Mike joined SBC in January 2020. His previous role was New Zealand’s High Commissioner to South Africa. Before that he was Director for Sustainable Economic Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the founding CEO of Aquaculture New Zealand.

He holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Canterbury.

Mike is based in Wellington.

021 916 689
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Senior Events Manager

Alana joined SBC in 2021.

She has spent the last decade working across the private and public sector, leading events of varying sizes, from large-scale conferences to workshops and tours.

Prior to joining SBC, Alana spent a number of years working in the public sector, responsible for managing projects, campaigns and events including visits and announcements with Ministers of the Crown and Government Officials.

She is also Co-Director of the Climate Change & Business Conference, the longest-running and leading climate change business event in Aotearoa, run in partnership with the Environmental Defence Society.

Alana is based in Auckland.

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Director of Policy and Advocacy

Alex joined the SBC team in 2026.

Alex is based in Wellington.

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Sustainability Manager – Climate & Environment

Charlotte Kootstra joined in September 2022. Before joining SBC, Charlotte spent three and a half years as the Senior Sustainability Specialist for Ports of Auckland where she focused primarily on climate mitigation, adaptation and looking at the risks and opportunities of varying climate scenarios for the Port and the role it plays in New Zealand’s supply chain. Before that she was at BNZ for seven years in the role of Sustainability Consultant where she managed their carbon inventory, emissions reduction programme and sustainability communications and before that she spent five years working as a Communications Advisor – Sustainability for the BP head office in London.

A believer in living the best sustainable lifestyle she can and a passion for helping organisations realise the positive role they can have on the environment, their people, and their stakeholders.

Charlotte is based in Auckland.

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Digital Communications Advisor

Connie joined SBC in 2026, bringing five years of experience in marketing and communications from the UK. Most recently, she was Marketing Executive at facilities management organisation Vertas Group Limited, winner of the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

Connie holds an MSc in Marketing and Consumer Psychology, which supports her approach to communications delivery. She holds a personal commitment to sustainability, which guides her work, and is passionate about helping businesses across Aotearoa New Zealand prioritise this within their operations.
Connie is based in Wellington.

For all communication queries, including the weekly Pānui newsletter, please contact [email protected].

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Director – Programmes

Jay believes in doing good in the world, putting her people skills to good use to affect change. Before joining SBC, Jay spent 10 years working in the UK in a variety of programme management and communications roles across the commercial and community sectors. At SBC she supports businesses to embed sustainability at both a governance and operational level, championing them to do the right thing by people and planet.

Jay is based in Auckland

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Manager – Climate Leaders Coalition

Armed with a passion for making a difference and helping to create a sustainable future for all, Shannil has created and led sustainability strategy implementations and initiatives within business and the public sector, most recently as the Sustainability Manager at NZ Blood. He is currently completing his Doctorate of Business Administration, and has also received his MBA, focused on climate change reporting.

Having chaired sustainability professional interest groups within the Carbon Neutral Government Programme and the Healthcare sector, Shannil has a strong desire to use his skills and knowledge to help companies create new opportunities and improve their environmental and social impact.

Shannil is based in Auckland.

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Manager – Membership & Operations

Pravin manages member engagement, supporting members to connect with SBC services and programmes.

Prior to joining SBC in November 2019, he worked at Fairtrade ANZ for 12 years in a variety of roles supporting commercial partners in developing and promoting sustainable supply chains in the food and fashion sectors.

Pravin holds a BSc in International Management Science from the University of Wales, Swansea.

He is based in Auckland.

021 0237 6327
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Director – Communications

Rebecca is SBC’s Head of Communications & Events, having joined the team in September 2021.

Prior to joining SBC, Rebecca spent two and a half years working for the Commerce Commission, primarily responsible for managing communications across its competition, consumer credit and fair trading functions. Before that she worked as a Senior Communications Adviser for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, following almost a decade working across TVNZ’s news platforms as a broadcast journalist.

Rebecca is based in Wellington. For all communication queries, including the weekly Pānui newsletter, please contact [email protected].

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Executive Assistant

Sally joined the SBC team in 2021 as Executive Assistant, managing administration and scheduling for the SBC team, as well as SBC’s Advisory Board.

Sally’s previous role was EA to the CEO at the Real Estate Authority.

She is based in Kerikeri.

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