Speakers
Dan Hikuroa
Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Whanaunga, Pākehā
Dan is a father, surfer, paddle-boarder, gardener, loves the taiao and is an Associate Professor in Māori Studies, Waipapa Taumata Rau-University of Auckland. Dan is an established world expert on weaving indigenous knowledge and science to realise the dreams of the communities he works with. Dan has been spearheading alternative ways of assessing sustainability, including braiding indigenous knowledge and epistemologies into policies, assessment frameworks and decision-support tools. Dan is UNESCO New Zealand Commissioner for Culture, member of Pou Herenga, Māori Advisory to the Climate Change Commission, has key roles within New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence, National Science Challenges, advises national and regional government, communities and philanthropic trusts and is a member of several significant international research teams. He is member of Te Putahi o Putaiao and Te Ao Marama Faculty Research Centres.
Aulani Wilelm
CEO, Nia Tero
Aulani Wilhelm is a Native Hawaiian ocean conservationist. She took the lead in designing and establishing the first-ever US marine national monument, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Hawaiian Islands, then served as its first superintendent. She integrates culture, community, and science in her work for ocean policy and ocean conservation.
Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago
Regional Director for the Oceania region
With a wealth of experience of over 26 years and a proven track record in national, regional and international work. With a background in Social Development, Leituala is well-positioned to drive IUCN to new heights in the Oceania region. Since 2015, she has worked for the Pacific Community (SPC) in different positions, most recently as the Regional Director for Polynesia and with her new role, she is committed to IUCN’s mission and values. Leituala took on the leadership role from Maria-Goreti Muavesi who had been Acting Regional Director since May 2023. Maria now resumes her previous role as Head Environmental Legal Officer for IUCN Oceania. Under Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago’s leadership, the organisation has continued to strengthen its presence and make positive impact on vulnerable communities in the Oceania region. In one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, where navigators are one with the Pacific Ocean, IUCN is assured that her leadership and dedication will contribute significantly to IUCN’s success and further achieve its mission to create a just world that values and conserves nature.
Angelo Villagomez
Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress
Angelo is a dedicated ocean advocate with a focus on Indigenous-led conservation and ocean justice. As a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Angelo leverages his unique background, combining Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific methods, to address critical environmental challenges such as habitat loss, overfishing, and climate colonialism. Angelo serves on several advisory boards and is the ocean co-lead for the America the Beautiful for All Coalition.
Angelo played a pivotal role in the designation and expansion of national marine monuments in the Pacific Islands and was a key policy expert on global shark conservation. His efforts contributed to securing an international agreement to protect at least 30% of the ocean in fully to highly protected marine areas.
Angelo holds bachelor’s degrees in biology from the University of Richmond and environmental policy from Rollins College. He is passionate about scuba diving in warm tropical waters and is a self-proclaimed mediocre ukulele player.
Alifereti Tawake
LMMA Network
Alifereti has a long history with LMMA as co-founder of the Fiji LMMA network and the wider regional network. Alifereti has held numerous positions in the region as a consultant and researcher with the University of the South Pacific, Foundations of Success (USA), Australia's leading science organisation CSIRO, the United Nations University Institute for Advanced Studies and the Coral Reef Initiative for the South Pacific (CRISP). Dr Alifereti is currently studying for a PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences at James Cook University.
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Intervenants
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