Our Team
Our talented and passionate team are here to help you build a low carbon, climate resilient, biodiverse future
Ekos Nature Based Solutions Team
Sean Weaver
Chief Executive Officer
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Sean is the Chief Executive and founder of Ekos. He is an international expert in market-based mechanisms for environmental and climate financing specialising in restorative & environmental forestry. He is a consultant to governments (NZ and the Pacific Islands), multilateral banks (World Bank, African Development Bank), international agencies (UNDP, SPREP), small medium and large businesses/corporations. Sean is a founding member of the Climate Forestry Association and the (international) Biodiversity Credits Alliance. He is a registered forestry consultant, has a PhD in Forestry from the University of Canterbury, and is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
May Chang
Chief Technical Officer
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May has worked in the environmental industry for over 10 years, her experience includes GHG measurement for organisations, products and events. May also has qualification in conducting GHG verification. As a Lead auditor, she conducted audits across New Zealand and Australia. May has a Bachelor in Recreation Management Degree from Lincoln University.
Aimee Hyland
Nature-Based Solutions Team Leader
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Before joining Ekos, Aimee completed her Bachelor of Forestry Science at the University of Canterbury. During her studies she had an array of internships which involved, native restoration, weed management, research and data acquisition, tree assessment, and timber re-manufacturing. At Ekos Aimee is at the heart of helping landowners develop and manage native forest carbon projects. Aimee has 2 years’ experience working in the space of the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme. In addition to this Aimee is a mapping wiz and holds a certification in advanced QGIS through Spatial Thoughts.
Ekos Sustainable Consulting Team
Gui Berringer
Carbon Management Team Leader
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Gui Berringer is an accomplished Environmental Engineer with over 13 years of experience in sustainability, carbon accounting, and environmental management. He has led teams and projects at various organizations, achieving positive results and targets within his field . Gui holds a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and a postgraduate specialization in Occupational Health and Safety. Known for his expertise in developing sustainable practices and strategies, Gui is committed to helping organizations achieve their environmental goals efficiently. His passion for sustainability drives his innovative approach to problem-solving and team collaboration.
Josh Leenhouwers
Carbon Analyst
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Initially studying Environmental Studies and Ecology, Josh completed a Bachelor’s in Horticulture Science through Massey University, to pursue a career in sustainable farming and he worked in horticultural consultancy in the Tasman District. With a passion for the great outdoors, Josh subsequently trained and was employed as an outdoor instructor and operations supervisor in the Abel Tasman National Park. Following teacher’s college he taught science and outdoor education, alongside numerous other subjects. During the Covid pandemic he supervised the main nation-wide telehealth and contact tracing team at Reach-Aotearoa. Most recently Josh completed his Greenhouse Gas Accounting Diploma to join Ekos as a carbon analyst in 2023.
Paula López-Hamilton
Carbon Analyst
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Paula is driven by a lifelong passion for protecting the natural world. Inspired by Jane Goodall, she believes that meaningful change comes from collective action and that no contribution to the planet is too small.
Before joining the team, she lived and worked across four countries and in diverse environments, which taught her how to adapt quickly, embrace new perspectives, and remain resilient. She feels a deep connection to indigenous cultures and their relationship with Mapu/Pachamama/Te Taiao (the natural world). Through her experience working alongside indigenous communities, she developed a strong appreciation for their knowledge, values, and holistic approach of nature. She brings experience in consulting, ecotourism, sustainability initiatives, and delivering carbon reduction programmes.
Cristina Barraclough
Carbon Analyst
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With over 4 years’ as a sustainability professional, Cristina has a keen interest in fostering collaborations and driving environmental progress. She is on the Board for Sustainable Queenstown and prior to Ekos, Cristina worked at Alborn Enterprises - part of the Marahau Sustainability Pledge and New Zealand's first net-zero carbon itinerary. Recently, her work is with small-to-medium enterprises through to large manufacturing firms and councils working on their sustainability journey. Cristina has a Masters in Environmental Policy and Management from Lincoln, a first-class honours in Management from the University of Exeter and a Distinction Post-Graduate from NMIT. Passionate about nature, she engages in hiking, climbing, and kayaking, which spark her dedication to protecting the environment.
Hanna Beatriz de Moura
Technical Onboarding
& Carbon Analyst
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Hanna Beatriz is an Environmental Scientist with over 3 years of experience in environmental projects and management support. At Ekos, she is a Carbon Footprint Administrator, managing client enquiries, administering data, and calculating carbon footprints. Hanna also contributed to environmental projects in Brazil and interned at the Ministry of Environment, where she supported environmental monitoring and public policy projects. She holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences from the University of Brasília and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate in Environmental Management from Lincoln University.
Emma Crane
Carbon Analyst
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Before moving to New Zealand, Emma completed her Bachelors at the University of Colorado, Boulder in Environmental Science. She is interested in marine and freshwater ecology. During University, she spent a lot of time doing river monitoring in Colorado. Additionally, she worked in Mexico on the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef as a research diver for diseased corals. With her passion for the outdoors and keeping the water and lands native, she worked as a raft guide in the North Island and in Queenstown. In the winter seasons, she worked as a snowboard instructor at Rainbow Ski Field. Few years later in New Zealand she joined Ekos as a carbon analyst in 2023.
Ekos Support Services
Ian Challenger
Chief Operations Officer
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Ian is Operations Manager at Ekos with 38 years’ experience in carbon analytics, and sustainable development. Ian’s career is driven by a desire to “leave the place better than we found it”. Ian began his working life in local government, before working for an environmental charity in the UK. Later he gained a Masters in Environmental Management from Lincoln University and worked for a research institute and then in self-employment until starting with Ekos in 2019. His primary areas of expertise are measuring and reducing carbon emissions, developing indicators of environmental sustainability, and developing sustainability and carbon reduction strategies.
Shannon Gormley
Sustainability Consultant
Sales & Business Development
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Shannon is a purpose-driven sustainability professional with over five years' experience in carbon accounting, environmental data management, change management and climate action delivery across Aotearoa. With a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Auckland, she started her career in waste minimisation before moving into carbon and the broader sustainability sector. Her love for systems, learning and community drives her work helping businesses achieve measurable sustainability outcomes.
Lynnie Weiss
Executive Business Partner
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As the Executive Business Partner, Lynnie supports the Ekos management team. She has over 6 years of experience in coordinating and coaching interdisciplinary teams, recruitment & onboarding, stakeholder engagement, community outreach, and event management. As a certified intercultural and resilience trainer, she is an advocate for diversity, collaboration and mindfulness. Lynnie has studied in Germany, Indonesia and New Zealand. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies and 2 Master's degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Applied Management (with distinction). An outdoor enthusiast, Lynnie loves the West Coast and is an avid trail runner.
Carla Araya
Finance Administrator
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With over 15 years of experience in financial services, my career has been shaped by a passion for rigorous analysis and building meaningful relationships with clients and stakeholders. I spent most of my professional life in Santiago, Chile, working in equity research, portfolio management, and institutional client advisory at EuroAmerica Brokers and EuroAmerica Life Insurance, as well as serving on the Oversight Committee of BTG Pactual's Private Equity Funds. Along the way, I developed deep expertise in equity markets, risk management, and investment decision-making in highly regulated environments. More recently, I have been drawn to the sustainability sector, motivated by a desire to put my financial skills to work for something that truly matters, which is what brought me to Ekos. I hold a Master of Finance from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and a Bachelor in Business and Economics from Universidad Gabriela Mistral, and I am based in Nelson, New Zealand.
Felicia Whiu
Senior Financial Administrator
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Felicia prides herself on giving 100% and holding true to her values, ethics and professionalism. Felicia is a qualified quantity surveyor with 20 years working in the construction industry. During her career Felicia was able to gain experience in different areas of business including finances, operations, governance, HR & management. Five years ago Felicia founded Fe & T Consultancy Limited and has spent this time focusing on supporting amazing kaupapa such as Ekos. Fe & T is Accredited with ICNZB, IRD, Xero GovernanceNZ and the Chamber of Commerce. Felicia is proud and grateful to be part of the Ekos whanau.
Tracey Waho Blayney
Financial Administrator
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Tracey Waho-Blayney has 40+ years or experience in business and financial administration working for high profile organisations such as Ericsson Australia, Massey University, Lincoln University, Ngāi Tahu, and Christchurch City Council. Working in the areas of governance, project management, financial administration, and general administration. Tracey holds a Diploma in Business Computing but feels her life experience has been the catalyst for her success. Being passionate about whānau and helping others to achieve their aspirations, Tracey feels grateful to be part of a Ekos, a company that cares so passionately for the environment.
Melanie Fordyce
Marketing & Graphic Design
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Mel is a freelance Graphic Designer and Marketing Consultant with 22 years of industry experience in both the UK and New Zealand. She has worked with a wide range of clients, from global corporations to start-ups, delivering creative and effective solutions tailored to each brief. Her design expertise spans brand identity, editorial design, packaging, annual reports, and corporate publications, with a particular passion for print. Since August 2021, Mel has been working with Ekos, where what began as a design role has naturally expanded to include marketing and web development. She is proud to contribute to Ekos's purpose-driven mahi.
Ekos Forever Forests Team
Chris Myers
General Manager
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Chris is a global business expert focused on enabling the sustainable convergence of climate finance, biodiversity improvements, native forest regeneration projects and supporting organisations to improve their sustainability profiles.
Chris has extensive corporate and governance experience including 20 years with Air Zealand, where he established the e-commerce offerings and headed up offshore activities across Asia, the Americas and Europe. He was previously CEO of JUCY Rentals NZ and Head of Partnerships at Contact Energy. Chris also has an active portfolio of board roles across tourism, transport, technology and regional economic development.
With his masters degree in Commerce and Management, a tonne of experience and connections in business, he brings a bounty of knowledge to Forever Forests.
Chris lives in Wellington with his partner on 120 acres of regenerating native and exotic forest.
Sean Weaver
Technical Director
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Sean is the Chief Executive and founder of Ekos. He is an international expert in market-based mechanisms for environmental and climate financing specialising in restorative & environmental forestry. He is a consultant to governments (NZ and the Pacific Islands), multilateral banks (World Bank, African Development Bank), international agencies (UNDP, SPREP), small medium and large businesses/corporations. Sean is a founding member of the Climate Forestry Association and the (international) Biodiversity Credits Alliance. He is a registered forestry consultant, has a PhD in Forestry from the University of Canterbury, and is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Glenn Moir
Strategic Forestry Advisor
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Glenn started his forestry career with the NZ Forest Service in Hokitika in 1985. Having achieved Ranger Certification and a Commerce degree he helped in the formation of the Forest Management Group in 1993. This business is involved in forest investment, management, harvesting and consulting throughout the much of New Zealand.
Glenn is a partner in numerous forests throughout Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. He chairs the Canterbury West Coast Wood Council and offers services to government through various forestry Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs)
His business experience also extends to family ownership of a large scale petfood manufacturing operation based in Southland.
Glenn is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors, enjoys time with family, is actively involved in many outdoor pursuits and has spent a lot of time involved in rugby league in Canterbury.
Qualifications:
· NZCF
· B.Com (mgmt., econ)
· Chartered member of NZ Institute of Directors
Adrian Loo
Forestry Advisor
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Adrian is a Founder of Forever Forests and a Director of Forest Management Limited. He's a past graduate of the University of Canterbury, completing a Bachelor of Forestry Science with First Class Honours, a Certificate in Commerce and a Masters of Forestry Science with Distinction.
And as if that wasn't enough in the way of credentials, Adrian also holds a Prince of Wales Award for Sustainable Forestry for his unwavering dedication to growing New Zealand’s forest area in an environmentally sustainable way, and actively promoting these concepts to others! Adrian’s commitment to sustainable practices, aspirations and concepts are all over the Forever Forests brand and long-term strategy and is something he’s super passionate about.
Adrian lives in Christchurch with his wife and daughter. At weekends, you’ll find him up in the hills mountain biking, surfing along the Canterbury coastline, and working on his own personal native restoration block on Banks Peninsula.
May Chang
Operations Manager
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May has worked in the environmental industry for over 10 years, her experience includes GHG measurement for organisations, products and events. May also has qualification in conducting GHG verification. As a Lead auditor, she conducted audits across New Zealand and Australia. May has a Bachelor in Recreation Management Degree from Lincoln University.
Aimee Hyland
Nature-Based Solutions Team Leader
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Before joining Ekos, Aimee completed her Bachelor of Forestry Science at the University of Canterbury. During her studies she had an array of internships which involved, native restoration, weed management, research and data acquisition, tree assessment, and timber re-manufacturing. At Ekos Aimee is at the heart of helping landowners develop and manage native forest carbon projects. Aimee has 2 years’ experience working in the space of the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme. In addition to this Aimee is a mapping wiz and holds a certification in advanced QGIS through Spatial Thoughts.
Grace Hughes
Forester
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Coming from a forestry family provided Grace with a passion for the outdoors and background knowledge about the industry, making her decision to pursue forestry an easy one. Growing up in rural Masterton, she developed a love for native space, spending many weekends exploring the backcountry of the Wairarapa and trips out and about in her family forest in Marlborough.
What drew Grace to Forestry was a love for science and practicality, where the degree lets you get your hands dirty and get amongst the industry. Grace spent four years doing internships as part of her degree, where she got to work in a native nursery and multiple forestry companies, establishing and learning vital skills both indoors and in the field.
Grace recently graduated from Canterbury University with a Bachelor of Forestry Science and has entered the workforce with enthusiasm and is excited to be a part of the team at Forever Forests, where she can mix her love for native species and passion for forestry.
Marie Woida
ETS, Forestry & Land-use Consultant
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Marie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Forestry at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, where she focused on continuous cover forestry and single-tree selection systems. She then spent three years working in the voluntary carbon market across Central Europe, developing and managing forest carbon projects and advising landowners. While completing her Master’s degree in Forest System Transformation, she moved to New Zealand to join Ekos. She is now part of the nature-based solutions team, working on GIS analysis, ETS reporting, and site assessments. Alongside her forestry background, she has worked as a certified kitesurfing instructor and arborist and now enjoys exploring the outdoors of New Zealand.
Technical Advisory Committee
James Renwick
Technical Advisory Committee
Sam Bridgman
Technical Advisory Committee
Daniela Ramirez
Technical Advisory Committee
*The technical advisory committee provide guidance and recommendations and are not responsible for the technical advice provided by Ekos.
