Society, Culture and Human Behaviour 6-week workshop series

Sabrina works at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, connecting dots, people, and ideas to drive meaningful change. Over the past 14 years, she has moved fluidly between sectors, spanning the worlds of academia, business, and community to build programmes, support founders, and reimagine how enterprise and innovation are taught.

She is an experienced CO.STARTERS facilitator and trainer, having worked with more than 350 entrepreneurs, and she has also founded her own primary school. These experiences, from grassroots ventures to systems-level thinking, have shaped how she designs learning environments that are relevant, inclusive, and future-focused.

Sabrina co-creates and delivers entrepreneurial education programmes across age groups, and recently completed a Master’s degree with first-class honours, focused on how enterprise is taught in New Zealand schools. She is now continuing to contribute to the field by co-authoring research and sharing practical insights that support educators and learners alike.

Years of working across sectors have taught her that meaningful change often happens at the edges, where disciplines, people, and perspectives meet. Whether developing ideas with early-stage founders, designing learning experiences, or building partnerships, she brings energy, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of collaboration to everything she does.

SESSION abstract: What do young people really need to thrive in today’s world — and is our education system keeping up?

In this engaging session, Sabrina Nagel draws on over 15 years of experience working with schools, young people, and entrepreneurs to explore how education is changing — and why it matters for all of us.

Having co-founded a future-focused primary school, Sabrina shares practical examples of how classrooms can move beyond memorisation to focus on skills such as problem-solving, creativity, resilience, and initiative.

This is not about turning every child into a business owner. It is about helping young people become confident, capable individuals who can navigate uncertainty and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Geoffrey Mather is Head of the School of Computing at EIT Hawke's Bay, bringing a career shaped by curiosity, connection, and a deep love of learning. After completing his Masters of Management Studies at the University of Waikato, Geoffrey spent over twelve years teaching English then business subjects, then managed some foreign higher education programmes in Shanghai, China, before returning to New Zealand to join EIT. A passionate educator who believes in the power of whakawhānaugatanga — forming genuine connections between people — Geoffrey's story took a profound turn when he survived Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. That near-death experience became the catalyst for a remarkable journey of resilience, positivity, and renewal

SESSION Abstract: Surviving the Smash-Up: Finding Positivity and Purpose After the Storm

At 5:30 am on a February morning, Geoffrey Mather woke to find two feet of water in his bedroom. Unable to break the windows of his Waiohiki home, he climbed out through a high kitchen window and jumped into raging floodwater — escaping Cyclone Gabrielle with only his pyjamas and his mobile phone.

In this deeply moving session, Geoffrey shares his extraordinary story of survival and the profound psychological shift that followed. Coming face-to-face with mortality forced him to reimagine his life, release the "small stuff," and embrace a radically positive mindset. Drawing on his recovery journey — including counselling and the creation of his Cyclone Gabrielle Smash-up podcast — Geoffrey explores the human mind's remarkable capacity for resilience and renewal.

Whether you lived through the cyclone or are navigating your own challenges, this session will inspire you to find purpose in the aftermath of adversity.

Alesha Hope is Executive Officer of Hawke’s Bay Foundation, leading the region’s community foundation to grow long-term philanthropic investment across Hawke’s Bay. With more than a decade of experience in fundraising, philanthropy, and strategic donor engagement across New Zealand and Australia, Alesha brings a strong understanding of how communities, donors, and organisations can work together to create lasting impact.

After 11 years in Sydney — first in institutional banking and later in the philanthropy and fundraising sector — Alesha returned home to Hawke’s Bay in 2020 to be closer to whānau and bring the experience gained offshore back to local community impact. Her work focuses on building trusted partnerships, strengthening local giving, and developing sustainable funding approaches that support resilient communities — particularly in times of challenge and recovery.

Originally from an orcharding family in Twyford, Alesha now lives in Central Hawke’s Bay with her partner and three children.

Session Abstract: Community, Connection & Collective Impact: The Power of Local Philanthropy

This session explores how community philanthropy is quietly transforming regions like Hawke’s Bay by turning generosity into long-term, locally driven impact. Drawing on examples from the Hawke’s Bay Foundation, we’ll look at how collective giving models pool resources from everyday donors and philanthropic partners to build permanent funds that support community priorities now and into the future. The discussion will unpack the evolving role of philanthropy in addressing inequality, strengthening social cohesion, and enabling communities to respond to change with resilience and agency. It will also invite reflection on legacy, purpose, and the ways individuals can meaningfully contribute to the wellbeing of the place they call home.

Frances Valintine CNZM is a leading technologist and educator focused on the technologies shaping the world and impacting how we live, work and connect. She has led and founded multiple institutes of higher education and is currently the Chair of academyEX Group, an Australian and New Zealand postgraduate institute focused on qualifications and programmes for working professionals. Frances is also on the Board of the University of Silicon Valley; she is a recipient of the Flying Kiwi Award and an inductee to the New Zealand Hitech Hall of Fame. She was also recognised by the CIO Awards for her lifetime contribution to technology. In 2014, her organisation, The Mind Lab, won the Best Start-Up in Asia-Pacific award, as judged by Sir Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak. She has a Master's degree from the University of Melbourne and is an alumnus of the Singularity University.

SESSION ABSTRACT: How New Zealand demographics are changing New Zealand's future.
Our country's population is rapidly aging, our birth rate has fallen to an all-time low, and many of our best and brightest are increasingly heading offshore in the pursuit of opportunity. What does Aotearoa, New Zealand, look like in five, ten and twenty years from now? What assumptions are we making that no longer hold true? What industries will prop up our economy? And who will be our workforce? Frances will share the data points, insights and prediction models that paint a picture of who we are as a nation today and who we will be in the future.

Jo Dowley is the founder of ReFrame Lab, a neuroscience-informed coaching and facilitation practice based in Hawke’s Bay.

Originally from England, Jo trained and worked as an Occupational Therapist, later leading one of the largest hand therapy units in the UK before moving to New Zealand in 2009. Her own “squiggly” journey has included leadership, entrepreneurship, vineyard ownership, co-founding a start-up, psychosocial facilitation with the New Zealand Red Cross, and ultimately creating ReFrame Lab.

Passionate about human behaviour, nervous system safety, emotions, and the brain, Jo translates neuroscience into practical and accessible insights that help people better understand themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that shape how they think, feel, and respond to life.

Her work explores how the brain is constantly predicting and responding to the world around us, how stress and safety influence thinking and behaviour, and how greater awareness of our own nervous system patterns, triggers, environments, and responses can help us think more clearly, adapt more effectively, and create lasting change.

Known for her warm, thought-provoking, and conversational style, Jo combines science, storytelling, and real-world experience to create engaging discussions that leave people reflecting differently about themselves and others.

SESSION Abstract: The Human Mind: Why We Think, Feel and Behave the Way We Do

"Why do we react differently under pressure, struggle to change habits, or sometimes say and do things we later regret? This practical and accessible session explores how the brain, body, and nervous system shape our thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and real-world experience, Jo Dowley unpacks how the brain’s primary role is to keep us safe, how much of our behaviour is driven by prediction rather than conscious choice, and how stress changes the way we think, feel, and connect with others. Through relatable examples and interactive reflection, participants will explore how the brain and nervous system remain changeable throughout life - and how small, repeated actions can create meaningful and lasting change

Dr Sally Rye is a researcher and thought leader focused on the science of gut health and its impact on cognitive performance and ageing. Her work explores the gut–brain axis, translating emerging microbiome research into practical, evidence-based strategies that support memory, mood, and long-term brain resilience. With a strong emphasis on real-world application, she connects complex biological systems to everyday choices around food and lifestyle. Sally is passionate about helping people over 50 maintain mental sharpness, curiosity, and vitality, empowering them to stay intellectually engaged and socially connected through a deeper understanding of how gut health shapes brain function.

SESSION Abstract: Feed Your Brain: How Your Gut Shapes Memory, Mood, and Mental Sharpness

Dr Rye’s research examines the gut–brain axis as a critical driver of cognitive health, particularly in adults over 50. Emerging science shows that the gut microbiome plays a central role in regulating inflammation, neurotransmitter production, and neural signalling, directly influencing memory, mood, and resilience to cognitive decline. By focusing on diet, microbial diversity, and evidence-based lifestyle interventions, this work highlights how optimising gut health can help preserve brain function and support lifelong mental sharpness. The findings translate complex science into practical strategies that empower individuals to enhance cognitive vitality, sustain curiosity, and maintain meaningful engagement with the world as they age.

Christina is a lifelong learner with a profound passion for exploring diverse cultures and disciplines. Her curiosity has inspired extensive global travel, from teaching English to Buddhist monks in Laos and volunteering at a Thai orphanage to visiting museums across Europe, the UK, and Asia. A highlight of her travels is the Bishop Museum in Hawai'i, which she visits frequently, including during the 2014 World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education.

Her academic journey began with law and politics at Waikato University, where she discovered dispute resolution. She subsequently earned a Master’s in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Strathclyde University, UK. This period included an exchange at the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai and research in Hong Kong on the ombudsman's role.

Currently a Learning Facilitator for Love Heart Social Learning, Christina also teaches the Restorative Practices microcredential at Victoria University. A fully accredited restorative justice facilitator and assessor, she recently delivered mediation training in Micronesia. Previously, she served as Director of Employee Assistance Resolution Services at Victoria University.

Outside of work, Christina enjoys connecting with loved ones and attending international events, such as the 2025 Restorative Practices conference in Singapore, to continually expand her expertise.