Key speakers

Eteroa Lafaele, Master of Ceremonies

Namulau'ulu Nu'uali'i Eteroa Tusipepa Lafaele is Co - Founder and Director, Head of AI and Culture at Fibre Fale

Eteroa Lafaele is a Samoan tech leader, speaker, and community advocate raised in Cannons Creek, Porirua. She is the co-founder of Fibre Fale, a purpose-led collective creating pathways for Pacific people in technology through skills, storytelling, and connection.

Eteroa is widely recognised for her leadership and impact, including being named a Young NZder of the Year, Hi-Tech NZ Young Achiever, Forbes 30 Under 30 for Social Impact, and recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for STEM.

Grounded in service and community, Eteroa brings warmth, clarity, and energy to the stage, guiding conversations that uplift people, celebrate excellence, and centre Pacific voices in the future of tech.

Join us in welcoming Eteroa to her first NZSBA conference as our MC!

Gilbert Enoka ONZM, Keynote speaker

We are thrilled to welcome Gilbert Enoka, one of New Zealand’s most respected high-performance and mental skills coaches, as a keynote presenter.

With a remarkable career spanning more than two decades at the pinnacle of sport and leadership, Gilbert is globally recognised for his work inside elite performance environments — most notably with the All Blacks, where he served as their mental skills coach and All Blacks Manager — Leadership for over 23 years. During his tenure, the team achieved extraordinary success, including back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories and multiple international championships.

Drawing on this wealth of experience, Gilbert translates the mindset principles behind elite sporting performance into practical insights for leadership, resilience, culture and sustained excellence in business and life. His sessions deliver powerful strategies for performing under pressure, building high-trust cultures and unlocking individual and team potential.

Gilbert’s down-to-earth style, authenticity and profound wisdom make him a truly inspiring and unforgettable speaker — one who challenges audiences to rethink what’s possible and equips them with tools to elevate their performance every day.

Gilbert will launch the conference with a powerful opening keynote — an unmissable session to start the event on a high.

David Greenberg, Keynote speaker

Dave Greenberg is a crisis management speaker, trainer, and trusted advisor to high-pressure organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

Over 25 years, Dave flew on 4,000 missions as a crewman on the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter. He responded to everything from natural disasters and mass-casualty incidents to remote rescues and high-profile emergencies. His frontline insights — forged in life-or-death moments — shape how businesses prepare, respond and recover when things go wrong.

In 2020, Dave was appointed as a National COVID-19 Response Manager by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, working directly with senior government officials, including the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Today, Dave speaks to audiences in high-pressure sectors ranging from utilities and transport to construction, schools, health, real estate and finance — helping organisations bridge the gap between their plans and real-world performance.

Dave is the creator of the BRACE, TRUSTED and SIZE-UP frameworks - all designed to help teams stay composed and effective under pressure. His talks draw on real events, delivered with energy, empathy, and zero fluff.

Known for making crisis leadership relatable and actionable, Dave’s clients value his ability to speak the language of both boardrooms and boots-on-the-ground teams.

Dave will ensure you walk away with a better understanding of the steps to take in the first crucial minutes and hours of a crisis, whether you’re a school board member, principal or senior leader.

Don’t miss Dave on Saturday, 18 July as he takes the stage for a keynote presentation and then guides attendees through a dynamic workshop later in the day.

Julia Grace, Keynote speaker

Julia Grace is an award-winning speaker, educator, author, recording artist and Mental Health First Aid instructor who brings science, heart and humour to stages across NZ and worldwide. '

Speaking honestly from lived experience and extensive research, and with 30 years of experience in education, Julia is the winner of the 2025 Keynote Speaker of the Year, and a trusted voice in conferences, schools, workplaces, and leadership spaces. 

When Julia was contacted to provide the closing keynote session at the NZSBA conference her response was, "Fantastic I love that position in the programme!

Not often the response we get from our keynote prospects.  Join us with Julia on Sunday 19 July.