Michael has been a council member for World CC representing New Zealand for the last 5 years and brings a wealth of public sector commercial and procurement experience. He has a keen interest in using supplier relationships and pragmatic procurement approaches to add value to organisations. His current role is Director Commercial for Disability Support Services within New Zealand.

Aditi Cook is a forward-focused and adaptable procurement leader with over two decades of experience spanning procurement, commercial strategy, and programme/project leadership across multiple government agencies. As Chief Procurement Officer at Te Tahuhu o te Matauranga | Ministry of Education since July 2021, Aditi is driving transformational change in commissioning and procurement practices, championing high-trust relationships and is a keen advocate of growing procurement capability within the system.

Her career includes senior roles at the Ministry of Defence, Inland Revenue, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Aditi is known for her ability to lead complex, multi-agency initiatives, influence stakeholders at all levels, and deliver strategic outcomes aligned with national priorities.

Aditi holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Exeter. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (FCIPS) and was the recipient of the Leadership in Procurement Award and the overall Supreme Award at the 2024 New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum Award.

Sharon is a passionate advocate for driving shared values and positive change in the world. She recognises the advancement of the capabilities of our commercial, procurement, contracting, supply chain, and legal professionals as integral to building a better future for people, prosperity, and the planet.

As the Group Regional Head of APAC at WorldCC, Sharon spearheads the association's activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Her commitment extends to supporting the WorldCC Foundation, where she actively champions sustainable and inclusive contracting practices.

With over two decades of executive experience in Australia and internationally, particularly in the non-profit membership space, Sharon has played a pivotal role in advancing global procurement and supply chain expertise, while ensuring diversity and inclusion are top of mind. Whether as the Director of Global Programs at Procurious or as General Manager for the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, Sharon has consistently aimed to elevate the capabilities and profile of the procurement and supply chain profession across the region.

Sharon is dedicated to driving positive change in the world—one contract at a time!

Mel Ahnau was the first World Commerce and Contracting Inspiring Woman from Aotearoa, New Zealand, nominated for her dedication to delivering complex commercial projects that support the government in achieving greater public good and value. 

She is the Managing Director of Conscious Buying, a consultancy dedicated to bridging the gap between contract opportunities and Maori, Pasifika, and locally owned businesses. 

With more than 15 years of experience in government procurement and contract management, and seven years of running her own businesses, Mel brings deep expertise in driving local economic development, delivering value for money, and fostering strong, mutually beneficial relationships between buyers and suppliers.

Michael Alp is the General Manager for New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP), a branch within the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) tasked with policy oversight and leadership within the government procurement system. This system has an annual spend of approx $51.5billion. While government agencies make their own procurement decisions, the NZGP role is increasingly important as we look to a more future-focused, cross-functional approach to government procurement.

Michael brings nearly 30 years of professional experience across both the public and private sectors.