Join us at AdaptNSW Forum 2024

The AdaptNSW Forum is back with world class adaptation presenters, immersive workshops and interactive sessions.

Hosted from 29-30 October at The Roundhouse UNSW, on the lands of the Bedegal people.

This year's Forum is dedicated to catalysing action. Purpose will be curating a stream of climate change adaptation specialists together for two days of thought-provoking conversation and collective change making.

The event will assess the current climate change landscape and explore science-backed futures thinking.

Early bird tickets on sale now for a limited time only 

Purpose Stream, x AdaptNSW Forum

29-30 October
The Roundhouse UNSW

In order to explore the continued urgency around adaptation, we are deepening our collaboration with Adapt NSW and guest programming a stream of sessions at their 2024 AdaptNSW Forum. 

This event will bring world class presenters and professionals together to assess the current climate change landscape and explore science-backed futures thinking. 

 The world is shifting -
we need to take bold action

Presenters in the Purpose Stream


Paul Girrawah House
Custodian,
Waluwin Foundation

  • Paul Girrawah House is a co-founder of the Waluwin Foundation, a social enterprise that develops strategies to enable First Nations people to purchase freehold farmlands and revive traditional agricultural practices focused on caring for Country. His work emphasises the integration of Indigenous knowledge with modern land management to support sustainability and cultural heritage. As a Senior Community Engagement Officer at the Australian National University’s First Nations Portfolio, Paul works closely with Indigenous communities to promote cultural understanding, educational opportunities, and collaborative land stewardship

    LINKEDIN

Bruce Chapman
Emeritus Professor, The Australian National University

  • Bruce Chapman, a Yale PhD economist with 400 publications, designed Australia’s HECS in 1989. He has advised multiple governments on higher education financing and pioneered income-contingent loans for various social policies. He received an Order of Australia in 2019.

    LINKEDIN

Katherine Trebeck
Economic Change Lead,
The Next Economy

  • Katherine is a political economist, writer, and advocate for economic system change. She co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, advises on economic change, and holds key roles with institutions like the University of Edinburgh, The Next Economy, and the Centre for Policy Development.

    Linkedin

Satyajit Das
Financier, Author

  • Satyajit Das is a respected financier and influential thinker, known for presciently anticipating the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and its subsequent aftermath. Authoring several works on the intersection of money and society, Das' latest book explores nature and wildlife through ecotourism.

Chris Andrew
Advisor,
Waluwin Foundation

  • Chris Andrew is a social enterprise mechanic and business troubadour, working with First Nations enterprises focused on nation-building. With a background in global investment banking and oil sectors, Chris now supports businesses driving community development. He co-founded the Waluwin Foundation with Paul Girrawah House, aiming to develop Indigenous-designed finance solutions that support the purchase of freehold title farmlands and revive traditional agricultural practices. Chris is dedicated to First Nations-led economic development and will present on Indigenous-designed finance at Purpose 2023. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Teaching.

    LINKEDIN

Andy Marks
Advisor / Symbiotect / Artist
The Symbiocene Institute

  • Andy Marks is an independent change-maker, strategic advisor, and artist. Since moving to Australia in 2014, Andy has held advisory roles for Purpose Conference, Responsible Cafes, and Pixiu Podcasts. He also served as ABC’s first impact producer and led NSW Government strategies on clean air, net zero, and sustainable materials. He heads a team with environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, working to shift from the Anthropocene to the Symbiocene.

    LINKEDIN

Kaylene Langford
Founder and Director,
StartUp Creative

  • Kaylene Langford is a proud Guringai woman, entrepreneur, coach, writer, and speaker. She founded StartUp Creative, a platform that educates and supports creative entrepreneurs. Kaylene is also a business growth consultant, keynote speaker, and author of How to Start a Side Hustle.

Kate Leury Nielsen
The Yambulla Project

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Dr Dimity Podger
Co-founder,
Regen Labs

  • Dimity is Co-founder of Regen Labs, driving the growth of regional regenerative enterprise ecosystems across Australia. Previously with WWF-Australia, she co-led Regen Local Learning Labs, supporting 65+ enterprises. Dimity specialises in regenerative economies, leadership development, and community-led sustainability initiatives.

    LINKEDIN

Lee Schofield
Co-founder,
Future for Now

  • Lee Schofield is a strategic designer and futures thinker with over 15 years' experience. She co-founded Future For Now, guiding organisations on AI transformation through literacy programs and leadership workshops. Lee’s focus lies in ethical innovation and exploring technology’s societal impact.

    LINKEDIN

Reece Proudfoot
Co-founder & Regen Innovation Lead, Regen Labs

  • Reece Proudfoot is Co-Founder and Regen Innovation Lead at Regen Labs, working with regenerative enterprises to create positive social, environmental, and economic impact. Previously at WWF-Australia, he co-founded Panda Labs and focuses on supporting the regenerative economy.

    LINKEDIN

Moragh Mackay
MD, Mycelia Renewables

  • Moragh is a systems thinking researcher with 30 years of experience in ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and renewable energy. As Managing Director at Mycelia Renewables, she supports First Nations and rural communities through inclusive, self-determined climate solutions and fair transitions.

Arielle Breit
Design & Innovation
Leader

  • Arielle is a design and innovation leader who blends creativity, life-centred design, and technology to drive positive impact. She helps organisations create transformative solutions, formerly as Design Director at Fjord/Accenture Song, now working independently with purpose-driven businesses and the public sector.

    LINKEDIN

Nathan Robertson-Ball
Founder,
Finding Nature

  • Nathan Roberston-Ball is a recognised sustainability, ESG and innovation practitioner with experience spanning multiple sectors and a range of subject matter areas. He is a passionate advocate for better business performance that takes into account and pays respect to environmental regeneration, human rights and social inclusion.

    LINKEDIN

Melissa Gilbert
Artist, Educator & Founder
UnitePlayPerform

  • Melissa Gilbert, a descendant of the Mununjali Clan of the Yugambeh Nation in South East Queensland with links to Quandamooka,, is a visionary artist and founder of UnitePlayPerform. Through applied neuroscience and sensory art, Missy creates immersive experiences that explore healing and creativity, fostering human connection and reimagining the role of art in wellbeing.

    Website

Simone Slattery & Anthony Albrecht
The Bowerbird Collective

  • The Bowerbird Collective creates multimedia work that tells conservation stories, aiming to deepen connections with nature. Their work includes live performances, digital engagement, and educational outreach, with over 250 concerts and ARIA chart-topping albums focused on threatened species.

Rising to the challenge

As you’ll know if you attended Purpose in 2023, we are now thinking as deeply about climate risk and climate adaptation as we have been about the reduction of carbon emissions. 

It’s no small thing to get our heads around - business, startups and nonprofits must grapple with new thinking about resilient infrastructure, financial and legal risk, migration and demography, community cohesion, health and well-being and the stability of supply chains.

Thinking about this led us to partner with AdaptNSW in 2023 to disseminate tools and resources to businesses, not-for-profits and community leaders who want to equip themselves with the information and skills to navigate adaptation.

 

 
 

Adaptation @ Purpose Conference 2023

You might recall that at the last conference, we began to turn our attention to the topic of climate adaptation. We heard from Digby Hall, climate adaptation expert, who called on us to remember that “we still have time to choose between a bunker and abundance”.

 We engaged with an exhibit inviting us to explore climate readiness and climate adaptation strategies in our organisations.

 We also heard from technology entrepreneurs working on various solutions like reforestation and material innovation, about the abundant business opportunities that are a flip side of this crisis.

 
 

The Purpose Collaborative Experience

Purpose collaborations go beyond the typical event format by focusing on unique programming and thoughtful design. Our aim with every project we deliver is to present cutting-edge ideas in a way that fosters meaningful connections and promotes actionable insights.

Every aspect of our events are carefully planned to create engaging and inclusive environments. From the informative sessions to the experience design, every element is chosen to enhance your experience and encourage deep thought, collaboration, and action.

When you work with Purpose and team or experts, you will create atmospheres that support learning and exchange, leaving your attendees not only informed but also equipped to take practical steps.

We are passionate about creating events designed to be catalysts for change, offering you the tools and inspiration needed to make a lasting impact.

 
 
 

We are thrilled to be working with incredible team at Frank Wild once again to deliver this impactful event.

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Purpose acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the unceded land on which we live and work. We pay our deepest respects to elders past, present, and emerging.