Our team

Geoff Summerhayes

Chair

Geoff Summerhayes is a global leader in climate change financial risk regulation. He has a unique set of commercial and regulatory skills as a former CEO and APRA Board Member. Geoff is also Chair of Zurich Australia and New Zealand, Chair Heartland Bank Australia, Senior Advisor at Pollination Group, and Chair of AICD’s Climate Governance Initiative. He was previously Chair of the UN Environment’s Sustainable Insurance Forum.

Elisa de Wit

Board Member

Elisa de Wit is a Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and heads the firm’s climate change and sustainability practice. She is one of Australia’s preeminent climate change lawyers and advises clients on policy, regulation and compliance issues. Elisa is the former Chair of the Carbon Market Institute and a Director of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation.

Peter Rohde

Board Member

Peter is a senior executive and advisor with significant leadership experience in strategy, transformation and governance from a career spanning Europe and Asia Pacific in both the private and public sector. His exposure to multiple industries, cultures, and organisations has developed his ability to navigate a vast array of circumstances to develop high performing teams and deliver results. He is passionate about contributing to the greater good through his executive role with Australia’s central bank and as a board member at Beyond Zero Emissions.

Susheela Peres da Costa

Board Member

Susheela has been leading responsible investment initiatives for institutional investors since 2006. She advises large capital pools on strategy, stewardship and impact; including pension funds, wealth managers, asset managers and foundations. She designed widely-used responsible investment standards, including Definitions in Responsible Investment (for the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance) and Active Ownership 2.0 (for the Principles for Responsible Investment). In addition to Beyond Zero Emissions, she serves on the board of The Shareholder Commons (USA); and on the Investment Committee of The Reichstein Foundation. Her previous roles included chair/deputy chair of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (2012-2022) and director of the Nature Conservation Council (NSW).

Cristina Talacko

Board Member

Cristina has more than 20 years of experience in executive boards and management of not-for-profit associations. She is the CEO of the environmental charity Coalition for Conservation, Vice President of the Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce and a former director on the board of the Export Council of Australia, DFAT Council on Australia Latin America Relations and Multicultural NSW. She is also a director of the Advisory Board of Viridios Capital, an asset management and advisor on sustainable development assets. Cristina is an entrepreneur having founded SalDoce Fine Foods, manufacturing allergen sensitive foods to Australia and export markets and was the winner of the NSW Export Awards in 2016 and 2018 and the 2019 and 2021 NSW Small Business Award.

Dr Anne Hellstedt

Board Member

Dr Anne Hellstedt is an engineering executive with experience across a broad range of sectors, including consulting, development and academia. Anne is Technical Excellence Leader and member of the Australian executive management team at Mott MacDonald. She is the Chair of Engineers Australia’s College of Leadership and Management Board and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Anne has been a Non-Executive Director of Beyond Zero Emissions since 2018.

Kylea Tink

Board Member

Kylea Tink is an inspiring leader, senior executive, and social commentator, recognised as a formidable change agent. The first woman elected to represent North Sydney, she has led successful organisations and campaigns across sectors. A key figure in the 2022 election wave that elevated climate action, Kylea brings over 35 years’ experience in policy, business, and community leadership. Known for her strategic insight and advocacy, she is driven by ambition, collaboration, and a commitment to lasting, positive change.

Rod Henderson

Board Member

Rod Henderson has over 25 years’ experience in electrical engineering and manufacturing, including 11 years as CEO and Managing Director of one of Australia’s largest privately owned engineering firms. He has held executive roles across the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors, and has led joint ventures with the University of Newcastle and a regional energy provider in WA. Holding an MBA and credentials from Engineers Australia and the AICD, Rod is a passionate advocate for innovation, sustainability and the growth of Australian manufacturing.