Speakers
Sam Stubbs
Sam Stubbs is the co-founder of Simplicity, one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing and most socially conscious KiwiSaver plans.
Under Sams leadership, Simplicity has redefined what it means to manage money with meaning—operating as a nonprofit that donates 15% of all fees to charity and prioritises responsible investing.
Before launching Simplicity, Sam carved out a formidable career in finance, serving as CEO of Tower Investments and Managing Director of Hanover Group. His international experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs in London and Hong Kong, as well as time with NatWest Markets, Fay, Richwhite and IBM. Across all of these roles, he developed a reputation for integrity, strategic insight, and a relentless focus on doing business better.
Sam holds an MA (Hons) in Politics from the University of Auckland, reflecting his lifelong curiosity about systems, leadership, and the greater good.
Sam is a father of 4 children, and has no time for any hobbies! He dreams of Simplicity and sailing around the world.
Dr Lucy Hone
Dr Lucy Hone is a world-leading authority on resilience, a best-selling author, and a respected voice in global conversations about what helps humans cope with loss, change, and uncertainty.
Trained in resilience psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and holding a PhD in wellbeing science, Lucy is an Adjunct Fellow at the Universities of Canterbury and Pittsburgh.
Her TED talk, Three Secrets of Resilient People, has been viewed over 9 million times and translated into 23 languages. She has collaborated with the UN and the BBC, and delivered keynotes and workshops to Fortune 100 companies, global tech giants, health services, schools, government agencies, and first responders — all seeking practical ways to strengthen resilience in the face of challenge.
Lucy’s perspective is both research-informed and deeply personal. After the sudden death of her 12-year-old daughter, she turned to the science she knew inside out to navigate unimaginable grief. That journey became the foundation for her bestselling book Resilient Grieving, and a catalyst for reshaping how individuals and organisations understand what it really means to cope with unwanted change.
Her mission is to make resilience science practical, accessible, and honest — never sugar-coated or simplistic. A regular contributor to Psychology Today, Lucy’s work has also been featured in The Guardian, The Washington Post, and the BBC.
Whether working with senior leaders, frontline professionals or communities under pressure, Lucy is known for her clarity, compassion, and ability to translate evidence into everyday strategies — kindling realistic optimism and adaptive mindsets that support people to keep going, even when life is hard.
Mike McRoberts
One of New Zealand’s most recognisable faces, Mike McRoberts graced our TV screens for over two decades as the anchor of the six o’clock news bulletin on Newshub, alongside his co-anchor, Samantha Hayes. Mike became a trusted figure in households across the country, delivering the news with professionalism and integrity.
Now, in his role as Te Ao Māori Editor for The National Business Review, Mike develops content focused on the dynamics of the Māori economy, highlighting the contributions and stories of Māori communities throughout New Zealand.
Mike is known for his fearless reporting in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. His dedication to frontline journalism has earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most respected journalists.
He began his career in 1984 as a cadet at Radio New Zealand before transitioning to television in 1995 as a sports reporter for TVNZ. Mike later joined TV3, where he became a lead correspondent for the 60 Minutes current affairs programme. His reporting extended beyond conflict zones to cover some of the world’s biggest natural disasters, including those in China, Haiti, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, and the Christchurch Earthquake.
As an accomplished author, Mike shared his frontline experiences in his book Beyond the Front Line, providing a personal perspective on the challenges of war reporting and the moments of humanity that emerge in crisis situations. His latest book, Speaking My Language, explores identity, culture, and the power of language in shaping personal and collective narratives.
Throughout his career, Mike has earned numerous accolades, including TV Journalist of the Year in 2006 and News Presenter of the Year in 2017. A keen sports enthusiast, he has also reported from several Rugby World Cups and Olympic Games, showcasing his versatility as a journalist. Mike remains a vital figure in New Zealand media, committed to authentic storytelling and amplifying voices within Māori communities.
Ronnie Tan
Ronnie Tan is the founder of CreditWorks, a leading New Zealand credit management business trusted by thousands of businesses nationwide.
With over 40 years in the credit and risk industry, Ronnie has built CreditWorks into a cornerstone of commercial credit intelligence – helping businesses vet customers, avoid bad debts, and navigate financial risk with clarity and confidence.
Known for his pragmatic, no-nonsense approach, Ronnie blends deep industry experience with a passion for financial
transparency. Ronnie’s insights have featured on platforms like The Puzzle Factory Podcast, where he connects the
dots between credit risk, business trust, and New Zealand’s economy.
Whether advising SME’s or shaping industry-wide data collaboration, Ronnie is driven by one mission: to make credit safer, smarter, and more transparent for every Kiwi business.
Jehan Casinader
Award-winning journalist Jehan Casinader returns as the MC for our 2026 Conference.
Jehan hosted our last three highly successful conferences in Christchurch, Wellington and Brisbane. He has built relationships with many of our members and suppliers, and has a great understanding of the building and construction industry.
Jehan is one of New Zealand’s most popular storytellers. He was named “Reporter of the Year” at the New Zealand Television Awards, and “Best Political Columnist” at the Voyager Media Awards.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, terror attacks, sporting triumphs and everything in between, he has helped hundreds of Kiwis to share their inspiring stories.
In 2020, Jehan opened up about his journey through depression, in a book called “This Is Not How It Ends: How rewriting your story can save your life”. He’s a respected voice in the areas of mental health, leadership and communication, and an ambassador for Men’s Health Week.
At our Hamilton conference, Jehan will host engaging conversations with our speakers and panellists, and put the spotlight on the issues that matter in our industry.
