Nicola Toki

Gala Dinner Guest Speaker | MSH Consulting

A leader and change-maker through story-telling, Nicola Toki has held high-profile conservation leadership roles within in the public, corporate and NGO sector.

Nicola has demonstrated a history in leadership, strategic communications, and relationship management. Her real strength is in building engagement and action through strong partnerships that create positive outcomes.

Nicola believes that if it's boring it's not working, and is known for her creative work in traditional media, digital campaigns and building longstanding profile and partnerships with broadcast media.

Nicola has held a variety of high profile leadership roles, including as New Zealand's Threatened Species Ambassador, and as Chief Executive of Forest & Bird, where she led the organisation into its 100th year of standing up for nature.  Nicola is now a leadership and strategy consultant, focusing on supporting other leaders with the opportunities and challenges that come with being at the top table.

With a lifelong love of nature documentaries, and a post-graduate diploma in Natural History Filmmaking and Communication, Nicola has been able to bring her passion for wildlife to the screen on many occasions, most recently in the TVNZ series "Endangered Species Aotearoa", where Nicola joined comedian Pax Assadi on a journey of discovery to learn about the vulnerable and fascinating wildlife species found in Aotearoa and the South Pacific. She also hosts a much-loved weekly RNZ show "Critter of the Week" with Jesse Mulligan, where she introduces a collection of uncharismatic but lovable members of NZ's wildlife community. This led to the publication of her gorgeously illustrated book titled "Critters of Aotearoa."

Nicola brings insight, humour and emotional depth to every setting, from boardrooms to festival stages. There's practical optimism and a can-do attitude in everything she does.