Event Details

The Women’s Infrastructure Network and WSP are pleased to invite you to the WIN Waikato: A Conversation on Climate for Waikato event.

This event will facilitate a conversation on what climate change means for the Waikato, with women in the Waikato.

Climate change is a complex issue intertwined with sustainability, decarbonisation, resilience, and equity. This conversation seeks to inspire and equip infrastructure professionals to better approach the challenges and opportunities of our climate future. This is also an exciting opportunity to meet fellow infrastructure professionals and decision makers in the climate space.

This conversation will explore topics including:

• Global and local government views and priorities from the Waikato region
• Working in the climate space
• Challenges and opportunities around climate change

Presenter Details

Cr Jennifer Nickel, Waikato Regional Council

Jennifer Nickel is a Hamilton constituency Councillor on Waikato Regional Council and has been leading their climate action committee for the past 3.5 years. Prior to becoming a local government politician, Jennifer worked as an Environmental Manager at Fonterra, a Research Technician at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and received a Master of Science (Tech) degree in genetics from Waikato University.

Punya Chandi, Hamilton City Council

Punya works as a Policy and Climate Change advisor at Hamilton City Council. She has worked for both central and local government to drive sustainable outcomes for school buildings and three waters. In her current role, she is working towards embedding sustainability considerations in everyday decision making and functions of the council.

Poppy Barran, Hamilton City Council

Poppy works as a Sustainability and Climate Change Advisor at Hamilton City Council. During her time at Council, she has worked in the waste minimisation and education space before moving into the Climate Change team two years ago. Having led the development of Council’s first climate change strategy, her role now involves supporting the organisation to embed climate change thinking across all areas of the business.

Moderator: Marie Ysabel Landingin, WSP

Marie is a Transport Planner at WSP creating cities where every person – no matter their background or circumstance – has the infrastructure and opportunities they need to thrive. In her work on transport projects nationwide and as a volunteer with diverse youth, she advocates for fresh perspectives and diverse thinking to solve infrastructure challenges such as climate change.