2022

Kaila Colbin was born in the US but moved to Christchurch in 2005. Just before the Christchurch earthquakes she was responsible for bringing the first TEDx event to Christchurch and following the second quake she organised a second event focusing on the rebuilding of the city. This event was attended by global speakers including people who had been instrumental in rebuilding quake damaged cities such as San Francisco. Around this time she also helped launch the Ministry of Awesome – a not for profit organisation which encourages the growth of startup businesses in Christchurch. A few years later she launched the first Singularity summit before starting her own company Boma which uses extensive worldwide networks to help leaders be more intentional, intelligent and courageous about the future.

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Miranda Harcourt is an acclaimed actor, director, writer and leading acting coach. Her clients have won or been nominated for Oscars, Golden Globes, Baftas and Emmys. She has been appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to theatre and the community and has twice been awarded best actress at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.

She was a pioneer of verbatim theatre in New Zealand in the early 90’s and has taught in numerous acting and theatre schools around the world including Toi Whakaari, New Zealand Drama School, where she was head of acting for seven years.

She is a passionate voice for the community and holds board or patron positions with the Performing Arts Foundation, Arts Access Aotearoa, and charities, “So They Can” and Women’s Refuge.

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