Dean is committed to cultivating meaningful engagement opportunities for members and ensuring the delivery of high-quality membership values that significantly contributes to the sector. Passionate about championing ESG investment, Dean collaborates closely with global and local asset managers, super funds, Kiwisaver providers, financial advisors, and wealth platforms to align capital with sustainable outcomes.

His strategic leadership has played a pivotal role in elevating RIAA’s presence in both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, resulting in substantial growth and transformative organisational changes. With over a decade of experience leading teams in the not-for-profit sector, Dean has driven remarkable growth in membership and events while forging essential industry partnerships. Dean also serves as a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand and sits on the GovCo of the New Zealand Stewardship Code.

Nayanisha is the Head of Policy & Advocacy at the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA).

Nayanisha is a former lawyer with extensive federal public sector experience in governance, corporate compliance and regulation. Before RIAA, she was a Senior Manager at the Australian Government corporate and financial services regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Nayanisha was the project lead on the Australian Government’s thematic review into greenwashing by ‘green’ or ‘ethical’ managed funds and superannuation funds, culminating in the publication of industry and consumer guidance.

Outside of work, Nayanisha volunteers as a director and Chair of Governance Committee at Juno Services Inc., a not-for-profit family violence and homelessness service provider, and Fitted for Work, a charity focused on helping women, non-binary, and gender-diverse jobseekers to become job-ready, find meaningful employment.