This event brings together a panel of leading voices from academia and industry to examine the latest developments in sustainable business practices and the transition towards nature-positive outcomes.

The session will open with a short presentation introducing the newly launched Macquarie University Centre for Nature Positive Finance and Business. Each panellist will then offer brief opening remarks, setting the stage for a moderated discussion that will delve into emerging trends, policy responses, and practical strategies. The discussion will conclude with an audience Q&A.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with academic experts and industry practitioners, fostering connections across sectors. The attendees will include academics, students, and professionals with an interest in sustainability, nature-positive finance and business, and disclosure reform.

8:30AM - Arrival and tea, coffee

9:00AM - Welcome and Overview of the Nature Positive Finance & Business Centre

9:15-10:15AM - Panel Discussion and Q&A

10:15-10:45AM - Networking and morning tea

Please note this event will be recorded for a public video. If you'd prefer not to appear in the recording, please request a privacy sticker at registration - this will ensure your face is blurred and your voice is excluded from the final video.

Panellists

Laura Besley
Head of Sustainability, CSR (Saint-Gobain)

Laura Besley is Head of Sustainability at CSR, one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading building products manufacturers. With over 15 years’ experience in sustainability, environment, and ESG strategy across manufacturing, finance, real estate, telcos, and food & beverage, she leads CSR’s sustainability agenda and environmental compliance, driving decarbonisation, circular economy initiatives, and biodiversity outcomes across a national footprint of 25+ manufacturing plants, 15+ quarries, and mines. Laura brings a practical industry perspective on embedding nature-positive outcomes into large-scale operations, balancing environmental stewardship with commercial performance and community engagement.

Michele Lemmens

Sustainability Strategist & Ecosystem Enabler

Michele Lemmens is a purpose-driven sustainability leader and ecosystem enabler with 25+ years of global experience across corporate, start-up, and not-for-profit sectors. As former APAC Head of Business Sustainability & CTO at Tata Consultancy Services, she led key initiatives including the Integrating the Value of Climate Risk Across the Business report with Macquarie University and the Digital Sustainability Index with the University of Auckland. Her tenure as Regional Head for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) ASEAN Hub advanced ESG disclosure and built regional capacity. Michele’s work spans APAC, ASEAN, the UK, and the Middle East, where she has shaped business models and market strategies through M&A, JVs, and start-up incubation—always focused on multi-stakeholder value creation.

Michele has served as a NED for a sustainable food venture and a women’s sanctuary, and mentors innovation ecosystems through the RISE Accelerator (CSIRO) and SMU’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. A pragmatic advocate of positive change, Michele’s contributions impact sustainability, innovation, start-ups, diversity, leadership, and the Longevity Economy.

Agneta Puhakka

Director, Commodities, Trade & Carbon Commonwealth Bank

Agneta has 10 years’ experience across financial markets, project finance, and public finance. Currently, Agneta leads public sector sales across three specialist divisions in CBA commodity markets, carbon markets and trade finance solutions. She has deep sector experience in environmental markets, carbon pricing mechanisms, and transition linked capital deployment. Agneta was previously the coverage banker for Government in CBA’s Institutional Banking and Markets. Prior, she was a Manager at EY leading project finance negotiations for co-investment with State, Federal & Central Government across Australia and New Zealand. She has also held roles at Macquarie Group in Specialised Asset Finance and Wealth Investment Management.

For event enquiries, please contact Abhay Singh abhay.singh@mq.edu.au

Contact the host of Sustainable and Nature-Positive Businesses: Practices, Policies, and Progress

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