Ingrid van Elst is Principal Insights Advisor with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Insights Unit. Prior to this she has been lead author on Genetic Technology and AI related reports for the Food and Fibre Sector Think Tank, Te Puna Whakaaronui, and an Investment Board Member on the Westpac New Zealand’s Government Innovation Fund. Ingrid was previously a Principal Policy Advisor with the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and held various leadership and analytical roles with New Zealand Treasury.

Hannah Della Bosca is a PhD candidate in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Sydney. Her thesis explores climate adaptation policy as an opportunity for multispecies justice, and is informed by her previous work on environmental planning processes in Australia, community experiences of disaster, and environmental justice movements.

Dr. Crichton is the Regional Training and Development Coordinator with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and a Lecturer for the Centre for Sustainable Futures at the University of the South Pacific (USP). His work includes Disaster and Climate Resilience, Adaptation, Gender and Inclusivity, and Leadership. Dr. Crichton will provide an overview of UNITAR training programs.

Ms. Sang Yum is a Training Assistant at UNITAR. She is also a Ph.D. candidate in Global Environmental Studies, majoring in International Environmental Management at Kyoto University. She focuses on issues related to Pasifika women, environmental challenges in

Ms. Shimazu has a B.A. Degree in Arts and Science from Temple University, USA and M.A. Degree in Intercultural Communications from the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation at Hiroshima University. Ms. Shimazu joined the UNITAR Hiroshima Office in September 2012 and now heads the Leadership and Inclusion Team. Ms. Shimazu will provide a historical outlook of the UNITAR Training program in DRR and how it has changed throughout the years. She will also discuss

Dr. Ven Paolo B. Valenzuela is a Research Fellow at Singapore Management University, specializing in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. He also serves as a Training Officer with UNITAR, leading capacity-building programs on disaster resilience, early warning systems, and climate security across the region. Ms. Sang Yum is a Training Assistant at UNITAR. She is also a Ph.D. candidate in Global Environmental Studies, majoring in International Environmental Management at Kyoto University. She focuses on issues related to Pasifika women, environmental challenges in small island developing states, and raising awareness of indigenous knowledge. Dr. Crichton is the Regional Training and Development Coordinator with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and a Lecturer for the Centre for Sustainable Futures at the University of the South Pacific (USP). His work includes Disaster and Climate Resilience, Adaptation, Gender and Inclusivity, and Leadership Ms. Shimazu has a B.A. Degree in Arts and Science from Temple University, USA and M.A. Degree in Intercultural Communications from the Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation at Hiroshima University. Ms. Shimazu joined the UNITAR Hiroshima Office in September 2012 and now heads the Leadership and Inclusion Team.

Sarah has worked closely across all sectors on climate policy and practice; including leading the transport input to NCCRA and NAP for NZTA. A member of the Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals transition working group, Sarah has over 25 years of complex transformation leadership experience. Alec has served as Chief Sustainability Officer at Auckland Council and Director Sustainability at Kāinga Ora. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, with over 20 years’ experience leading strategic responses to climate issues in all sectors. Alec also sits on the XRB Sustainability Reporting Advisory Board.

Alec has served as Chief Sustainability Officer at Auckland Council and Director Sustainability at Kāinga Ora. He is a Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, with over 20 years’ experience leading strategic responses to climate issues in all sectors. Alec also sits on the XRB Sustainability Reporting Advisory Board.