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PLENARY SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS
Please bear with us as we continue to update our Speaker & Performer profiles! Bios, socials and recordings coming soon!
H.E. Noura Al Kaabi
MINISTER OF CULTURE & YOUTH, UAE
Cabinet Member and Minister of Culture and Youth
Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi was named Minister of Culture and Youth in July 2020.
Prior, Al Kaabi was appointed as Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs to act as the key link between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.
Al Kaabi is Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority - Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54.
She is also a board member of the UAE’s National Media Council, Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the United Arab Emirates University.
H.E. Noura Al Kaabi holds B.A. in MIS from UAE University in 2001 and has also completed the Executive Leadership Programme from London Business School in 2011.
Cabinet Member and Minister of Culture and Youth
Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi was named Minister of Culture and Youth in July 2020.
Prior, Al Kaabi was appointed as Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs to act as the key link between the Cabinet and the Federal National Council.
Al Kaabi is Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority - Abu Dhabi (MZA) and twofour54.
She is also a board member of the UAE’s National Media Council, Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the United Arab Emirates University.
H.E. Noura Al Kaabi holds B.A. in MIS from UAE University in 2001 and has also completed the Executive Leadership Programme from London Business School in 2011.
Hon. Nanaia Mahuta
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS NZ
As a mother, and a constituent Member of Parliament with 20 plus years’ experience who has come from ‘flax-root’ politics, Hon Nanaia Mahuta remains connected to the aspirations of people from all walks of life. Those who work hard for a living so that their children can do better, kaumatua (elders), tradespeople, those who aspire to own their home, those who own small businesses and those who lead a range of services and organisations and huge iwi entities.
During her time in Parliament, Nanaia supported policies and initiatives that built the capacity of communities, especially social service organisations, greater investment in education, employment and training opportunities particularly for young people, supported the continuation of the Treaty settlement process and supported specific initiatives that lift the wellbeing and opportunities for young mums and those who are vulnerable and victims of abuse.
Nanaia is a tribal member of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Manu and her parliamentary experience has enabled her to contribute to the collective aspirations of Maori and all New Zealanders.
In the 2020 Labour Government, Nanaia became the first woman to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio. She is also Minister of Local Government, and Associate Minister for Māori Development.
As a mother, and a constituent Member of Parliament with 20 plus years’ experience who has come from ‘flax-root’ politics, Hon Nanaia Mahuta remains connected to the aspirations of people from all walks of life. Those who work hard for a living so that their children can do better, kaumatua (elders), tradespeople, those who aspire to own their home, those who own small businesses and those who lead a range of services and organisations and huge iwi entities.
During her time in Parliament, Nanaia supported policies and initiatives that built the capacity of communities, especially social service organisations, greater investment in education, employment and training opportunities particularly for young people, supported the continuation of the Treaty settlement process and supported specific initiatives that lift the wellbeing and opportunities for young mums and those who are vulnerable and victims of abuse.
Nanaia is a tribal member of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Manu and her parliamentary experience has enabled her to contribute to the collective aspirations of Maori and all New Zealanders.
In the 2020 Labour Government, Nanaia became the first woman to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio. She is also Minister of Local Government, and Associate Minister for Māori Development.
Anne Nuorgam
CHAIRPERSON, UNPFII
Hon Ken Wyatt
Minister for Indigenous Australians
Hon. Willie Jackson
Minister for Māori Development
Rino Tirikatene
Parliamentary Undersecretary Māori Trade
Ngahiwi Tomoana
NATIONAL IWI CHAIRS FORUM
Ngahiwi has been the mandated tribal leader for his iwi Ngāti Kahungunu for the past 23 years. He is also the Chair of Te Pou Tahua, an Iwi Chairs Group focused on International Trade and Economic Development that sits within the wider National Iwi Chairs Forum.
Ngāhiwi has a formidable background in the seafood industry and has taken a lead in promoting Māori aquaculture for his iwi and Māori and has led a number of Māori business missions to explore opportunities in Asia, North & South America and the UAE.
Ngahiwi is the visionary behind Te Aratini which is built on the knowledge and experience that culture counts in commerce community and conservation. Having worked across all parts of the Māori Economy in governance and community leadership roles he has been a key figure in influencing change in trade policy, economic development, local authorities, health, education, and social services.
Ngahiwi has been the mandated tribal leader for his iwi Ngāti Kahungunu for the past 23 years. He is also the Chair of Te Pou Tahua, an Iwi Chairs Group focused on International Trade and Economic Development that sits within the wider National Iwi Chairs Forum.
Ngāhiwi has a formidable background in the seafood industry and has taken a lead in promoting Māori aquaculture for his iwi and Māori and has led a number of Māori business missions to explore opportunities in Asia, North & South America and the UAE.
Ngahiwi is the visionary behind Te Aratini which is built on the knowledge and experience that culture counts in commerce community and conservation. Having worked across all parts of the Māori Economy in governance and community leadership roles he has been a key figure in influencing change in trade policy, economic development, local authorities, health, education, and social services.
Adriana Ortiz
PARAGUAY
AlexAnna Salmon
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Tribal President, Igiugig Village
Tribal affiliations: Yup’ik, Aleut
As President of Igiugig Village, AlexAnna Apapigainaq Salmon is the top executive of one of more than 500 federally-recognized tribal governments in the USA. She is of Yup’ik and Aleut decent and was raised in the village of Igiugig, located 250 air miles southwest of Anchorage in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. Up to forty million sockeye salmon return to this watershed each year, making it the world's largest run.
AlexAnna is an influential Indigenous leader focused on cultural and environmental sustainability. She is leading the revitalization of two endangered Alaska Native languages: Lake Iliamna dialects of Yup’ik and Dena’ina. She also serves as a member of the Igiugig Native Corporation board, which is responsible for stewardship of 66,000 tribal acres. One of her current projects is the design-build of a community cultural center as a space to celebrate Igyararmiut wellbeing, language, and tribal self-determination.
Tribal President, Igiugig Village
Tribal affiliations: Yup’ik, Aleut
As President of Igiugig Village, AlexAnna Apapigainaq Salmon is the top executive of one of more than 500 federally-recognized tribal governments in the USA. She is of Yup’ik and Aleut decent and was raised in the village of Igiugig, located 250 air miles southwest of Anchorage in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. Up to forty million sockeye salmon return to this watershed each year, making it the world's largest run.
AlexAnna is an influential Indigenous leader focused on cultural and environmental sustainability. She is leading the revitalization of two endangered Alaska Native languages: Lake Iliamna dialects of Yup’ik and Dena’ina. She also serves as a member of the Igiugig Native Corporation board, which is responsible for stewardship of 66,000 tribal acres. One of her current projects is the design-build of a community cultural center as a space to celebrate Igyararmiut wellbeing, language, and tribal self-determination.
Andrea Vazquez
PARAGUAY
Bianca Orqueda
PARAGUAY
Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
Chief Executive & Founder, BDÉT
Tribal affiliations: Te Māhurehure, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Atiawa, Wampanoag
Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha is the Founder of BDÉT, a New Zealand company on a mission to eliminate a trillion wet wipes globally by 2025!
The former broadcasting journalist took the plunge from being a storyteller into the entrepreneurial world after identifying a need to solve a mounting single-use plastics problem.
“After seeing the enormous amount of baby wipes we were using for our two babies alone, I had to do something to address it. So, I proceeded to use a method I developed in the late 90’s while I was a University student and brought it to life in 2019, launching my innovative hygiene company - BDÉT (pronunciation: BDAY).
Now her revolutionary product, the BDÉT Foam Wash - a natural foam formula that transforms toilet tissue into a luxuriously cleansing, hygienic wipe - is creating waves around Aotearoa New Zealand with wet and baby wipes converting to her eco-friendly and biodegradable Kiwi made (patent-pending) alternative.
Facebook: @bdetnz
Instagram: @bdetnz
TikTok: @_bdet
Chief Executive & Founder, BDÉT
Tribal affiliations: Te Māhurehure, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Te Atiawa, Wampanoag
Billie Jo Hohepa-Ropiha is the Founder of BDÉT, a New Zealand company on a mission to eliminate a trillion wet wipes globally by 2025!
The former broadcasting journalist took the plunge from being a storyteller into the entrepreneurial world after identifying a need to solve a mounting single-use plastics problem.
“After seeing the enormous amount of baby wipes we were using for our two babies alone, I had to do something to address it. So, I proceeded to use a method I developed in the late 90’s while I was a University student and brought it to life in 2019, launching my innovative hygiene company - BDÉT (pronunciation: BDAY).
Now her revolutionary product, the BDÉT Foam Wash - a natural foam formula that transforms toilet tissue into a luxuriously cleansing, hygienic wipe - is creating waves around Aotearoa New Zealand with wet and baby wipes converting to her eco-friendly and biodegradable Kiwi made (patent-pending) alternative.
Facebook: @bdetnz
Instagram: @bdetnz
TikTok: @_bdet
Celeigh Cardinal
CANADA
Chris James
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
President & CEO, The National Canter for American Indian Enterprise Development
Tribal affiliations: Cherokee
Chris James is the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the largest business development and technical assistance training organization in the country for American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses. A former Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Treasury official, Mr. James has doubled the National Center’s revenue during his tenure, expanding procurement and training programs throughout the country while boosting attendance to the annual Reservation Economic Summit by nearly 30% in the last five years.
Mr. James began his career in his father’s small restaurants on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. He is a Board member of Junior Achievement USA, Board Chair of Native Edge Finance, and sits on the Advisory Board of First Peoples Worldwide, and Board Member of New Mexico Community Capital. Mr. James also served as a volunteer Agency Review Team (ART) member of President Biden’s Transition at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Facebook: @NCAIED
Instagram: @ncaied
Twitter: @cherokeechris
President & CEO, The National Canter for American Indian Enterprise Development
Tribal affiliations: Cherokee
Chris James is the President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the largest business development and technical assistance training organization in the country for American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses. A former Associate Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Treasury official, Mr. James has doubled the National Center’s revenue during his tenure, expanding procurement and training programs throughout the country while boosting attendance to the annual Reservation Economic Summit by nearly 30% in the last five years.
Mr. James began his career in his father’s small restaurants on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina. He is a Board member of Junior Achievement USA, Board Chair of Native Edge Finance, and sits on the Advisory Board of First Peoples Worldwide, and Board Member of New Mexico Community Capital. Mr. James also served as a volunteer Agency Review Team (ART) member of President Biden’s Transition at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Facebook: @NCAIED
Instagram: @ncaied
Twitter: @cherokeechris
Christine Frederick
CANADA
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