Bush Heritage Australia invites you to join us for a thought-provoking networking breakfast, featuring inspiring women in leadership sharing their insights on tackling biodiversity loss and climate change collaboratively and concurrently.

Tackling climate change and biodiversity loss requires coordinated action at both a local and global scale. Organisations can support these efforts by integrating "nature-based solutions" into their operations, including actively restoring and protecting ecosystems through sustainable practices and collaborating with stakeholders across their supply chains to minimise environmental impacts.

Date
Friday 9 May 2025

Time
7.30am for a 7.45am start, to 10am. Optional networking until 10.30am

Location
The Ballroom
Rydges Newcastle
Wharf Rd &, Merewether St, Newcastle

PANELLISTS

Siobhan Isherwood, Healthy Landscapes Project Officer, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists

Siobhan is a passionate environmental scientist and experienced project manager. She has a background in large-scale renewable energy development, renewable energy advocacy, environmental assessment, bush regeneration, and waste management and resource recovery.

Siobhan has an environmental science degree (first class honours) from Monash University, a Masters in Conservation Biology from Macquarie University and has recently completed a Master of Research exploring what motivates land clearing and uptake of conservation incentives in central west NSW.

Karen Durand, GM Sustainability & Climate Change, Incitec Pivot

Karen is an Environmental Geoscientist and has a working knowledge of the issues associated with climate change for both the agricultural and mining customers served by IPL, and emissions intensive manufacturers. As part of her role, Karen authors IPL’s annual Climate Change Reports, which are aligned with TCFD and oversaw the creation of the Incitec Pivot Fertilisers initial TNFD Report. She also works closely with engineers involved in the feasibility assessment and development of ‘green ammonia’ projects within IPL, and works on circular economy initiatives

Jane Gibbs, Director, Climate Adaptation, Land Sector and Opportunities, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Jane is an environmental scientist with 24 years experience in the public sector, and 8 years in the private sector. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) degree from the University of Newcastle, and a Master of Environmental Law and Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Sydney. Throughout her career, Jane has worked across a wide range of environmental issues ranging from environmental impact assessment, climate adaptation, coastal and floodplain management, water supply, biodiversity conservation, private land conservation, energy and land use planning. A career highlight was working at the United Nations Environment Programme in Geneva, Switzerland. She was previously a Board member of the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

MC/PANEL MODERATOR

Lauren Kempe

Lauren is a journalist and presenter for NBN News in Newcastle. She has a passion for producing stories with a focus on weather and the environment. Born and raised in the Hunter and a University of Newcastle Alumni - Lauren is proud to speak with our community each day, and help share some of the region’s biggest issues.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Rachel Lowry, CEO, Bush Heritage Australia

TICKETS AND DONATIONS

Your ticket fee goes towards the conservation work of Bush Heritage Australia. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely greatly on donations from supporters. Please consider making a donation to Bush Heritage Australia.

For event enquiries please email events@bushheritage.org.au

TICKET SALES CLOSE 30 APRIL, UNLESS SOLD OUT PRIOR

Bush Heritage acknowledges the Awabakal Traditional Custodians, upon whose land the event will take place. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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