2020 Deconstructed Summit Taupō: Beyond Lockdown – Reimagining our Future.

Clay Pearson joined the City of Pearland, Texas as City Manager in March 2014. During his career, he has gained a broad overview and understanding for the varied operations of City government and has worked with the Mayor and City Council to outline and deliver a strong vision of what can be accomplished in Pearland’s future. Pearland’s opportunities towards being one of the premier diverse and dynamic cities around metropolitan Houston area being delivered with community not-for-profit/volunteer partners, Brazoria and Harris counties, regional partners, other government agencies and more than 700 employees and volunteers dedicated to Pearland. Pearland is a complex full-service local government.

The City is one of the major employers in the Pearland and financially has net position (2015) position of $694 million, of which $648 million is investments of net capital assets at close of FY 2015. That same year, the City had total governmental activity expenses of $145 million and business-type activity expenses of $41 million. The city’s bond credit rating has been confirmed by Moody’s Investor Service at Aa2, giving the city a stable outlook.

Pearson serves Pearland with nearly 25 years’ experience in municipal government. Prior to Pearland, he served the City of Novi, Michigan including as the City Manager for eight years. He had 14 years total in Novi, including six as Assistant City Manager. Prior to Novi, Pearson served the City of Elgin, Illinois for a decade in various capacities, including Assistant City Manager, Budget Officer and Director Code Administration and Neighbourhood Affairs.

Pearson is active with the association of local government professionals, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Pearson has a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minnesota). He serves currently on the Board of the Alliance for Innovation and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Houston. He has been very involved with the KU public administration program and supporting future generations of public servants. He and his wife, Jennifer live in Pearland.

Bevan Graham was appointed AMP Capital’s Managing Director and Chief Economist of New Zealand in December 2018. Prior to this, He was appointed Chief Economist at AXA Global Investors in 2008 and moved to AMP Capital in 2011 through the merger of the two companies to become Chief Economist of AMP Capital New Zealand.

As Managing Director, Bevan has overall responsibility for AMP Capital’s New Zealand operations which currently manages in excess of $20bn across a team of more than 70 people in Wellington and Auckland. And, in conjunction with the wider AMP Capital economics team, he undertakes research as a key input into the firm’s dynamic asset allocation process.

Prior to joining AMP Capital, Bevan has held a number of senior positions in New Zealand including Chief Economist at Westpac, Chief Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition and Chief Executive at the Economic Development Association of New Zealand. Bevan’s key research interests include economic growth, economic development and monetary policy. In 2011 his work in economic development saw him appointed to the Government’s Maori economic development panel which produced the Maori economic development strategy He kai kei aku ringa. Bevan has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from Waikato University majoring in Economics.

Heather joined Palmerston North City Council as Chief Executive in 2017. She has extensive leadership experience in the private sector with senior leadership positions with SKYCITY, and two years as Executive Trustee of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, (plus governance roles with public and private sector organisations). In 2010 Heather became Executive Director of the Committee for Auckland, a membership organisation dedicated to accelerating economic and social development in New Zealand’s largest city.

Born and bredin Hawkes Bay, she was pleased to return to regional New Zealand to lead the Palmerston North City Council executive in delivering an ambitious plan for growth, in a city where food innovation, logistics and distribution, defence and knowledge intensive services underpin a and high-performing regional economy.

Gareth is the Chief Executive at Taupō District Council, a position that he has held since 2017. An environmental planner by background, Gareth is passionate about building relationships, peacemaking and localism, and has been fortunate to have been supported by an amazing team to be able to bring some of these concepts to life. Gareth grew up in Turangi, and so being part of negotiating a new future for the town based on genuine partnerships has been a personal journey as much as a professional one.

Carl leads PwC’s infrastructure, real estate and capital activities in New Zealand.

Carl has worked extensively with boards and senior management teams. He has an excellent understanding of central and local government, with many of his (former) Treasury peers now occupying CEO and senior management positions within the Crown. His local government experience commenced at the Treasury, and continues to the present day, having provided advice to Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Hawkes Bay, Otago and Christchurch Councils. He has advised DIA previously.

His commercial experience spans 28 years including roles as the head of the Direct Investment team at ACC (with a mandate of investing in infrastructure) and also the Managing Director of investment banking at Jarden (formerly First NZ Capital). He started his career with six years at the Treasury.

Carl is Deputy Chair of the Takeovers Panel.

David Bridgman is a Senior Partner in PwC's Deals practice, specialising in Corporate Finance and Restructuring. David has more than 30 years of experience and has therefore witnessed a number of economic crises and recessions. David has carried out numerous valuations, independent expert's reports, lead advisory mandates and strategic advisory roles for public and private companies, as well as having led a number of major restructurings. David is currently working with a range of clients dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 induced economic downturn.

Stephanie is a professional futurist with extensive experience and a deep commitment to innovative practice. She has worked in New Zealand, Australia and the UK in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors as well as academia.

Stephanie currently heads StratEDGY Strategic Foresight, a consultancy helping sectors, businesses, organisations and teams anticipate and adjust to change. Stephanie started her working life in local government in the UK and in her role at StratEDGY has worked with local and regional councils in New Zealand as well as central government and the NGO and private sectors.

Stephanie’s futuring in New Zealand prior to setting up StratEDGY included designing and leading the SSC Futures Programme for the New Zealand state sector and driving system change as Chief Advisor for the NZ-OECD Schooling for Tomorrow project.

Last year, Stephanie developed Navigating Critical 21st Century Transitions for Taituarā. It provides a framework to support local government in their statutory responsibility to lead their communities through the era-scale changes we are all facing in ways that protect and enhance well-being. Stephanie is continuing to work with Taituarā on accelerating the Critical Transitions in practice, connecting the big ideas of the framework with real action on the ground.

See here for more information about the Critical Transitions See www.stratedgy.co.nz for further information about Stephanie and StratEDGY

From shearing shed to corporate strategist and company director, Mavis has received widespread recognition for her services to business, governance, leadership and Māori.

Her recent achievements include:

• 2018 Inductee NZ Business Hall of Fame,
• 2017 Outstanding Māori Business Leader – Auckland University,
• 2017 Massey University Distinguished Alumni Award,
• 2016 Westpac Rural Woman of Influence.

In 2002 she became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the wool industry. She is currently Iwi chair for Rangitāne Tamaki Nui a Rua.

Mavis is a celebrated business-woman, governor, farmer, mentor and mother. At the heart of her Purpose lies simple values such as every decision being a mokopuna decision, the whenua is a person whether we farm or just enjoy, people matter the most and be the best you can be. She brings a common-sense approach and is a strong advocate for Māori. and Māori business, the primary sector, diversity, strong governance and a keen sense of community.

Lil Anderson (Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi) is currently leading the Caring for Communities workstream (C4C) within the All of Government Unit in DPMC, having stepped away for six months from her substantive role as Chief Executive at Te Arawhiti ­- Office for Māori Crown Relations.

Louise has worked across a number or public service entities from Utilities, Police, Audit Commission to Local Government during her career. She was lucky enough to work with the Civil Service College in UK to support national and international programmes on EFQM (European Foundation Quality Model) and the balanced scorecard. In all her roles she seeks out areas and organisations that need a bit of focus to become their best; implementing successful change and improvement is what gets her out of bed. Louise is the Chief Executive at Napier City Council, having taken up her role immediately after Cyclone Gabrielle, and prior to this was the Chief Executive at Kaipara District Council.