Sara-Jane Elika
ABOUT SARA-JANE:
Sara-Jane Elika is an award-winning business leader, strategic advisor, and governance specialist with a bold vision for transformational leadership in Aotearoa and the Pacific.
As Executive Director of Elika Consulting Group (ECG), she leads a consultancy that delivers evidence-based strategy, innovative engagement, and MERL accredited evaluation services for clients across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
A qualified Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, Sara-Jane brings a unique blend of legal precision, cultural intelligence, and creative enterprise to every table she sits at. She is a trusted advisor to senior executives and boards navigating complexity, delivering evidence-based solutions grounded in Pacific values.
With over two decades of experience, her governance career spans sectors as diverse as sport, media, philanthropy, and social justice — including appointments to Foundation North, Moana Pasifika Rugby, Good Shepherd NZ, and Community Law Aotearoa. Her leadership was tested and proven during her tenure as Interim CEO of Pacific Media Network, where she guided the organisation through a pandemic crisis, digital transformation, and unprecedented growth.
A proud alumna of Leadership NZ, Global Women’s Breakthrough Leaders, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s CSC Global Leadership Conference in Canada (2023), Sara-Jane is also a 40 Under 40 University of Auckland Business Leader and Women of Influence finalist for Arts and Culture.
Beyond the boardroom, she is the creator of Soul Sessions — a celebrated music-chat TV series showcasing Pacific gospel artists, aired across New Zealand and the Pacific region. Sara-Jane is a wife and mother of four, a staunch advocate for inclusive leadership, and a passionate believer in the power of culture, connection, and courageous thinking to shape better futures.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 1 (9:00am Wednesday 25 February)
Bruce Sheppherd
ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Sheppard is the co-founder of Gilligan Sheppard, a wealth services firm he established in 1985. With nearly 40 years’ experience, he’s known for his direct, no-nonsense approach to helping businesses grow, plan for succession, and build long-term sustainability. Bruce cuts through complexity to offer practical, results-driven advice shaped by decades of hands-on experience.
A former leader in the New Zealand Shareholders Association, Bruce brings deep knowledge of capital markets, business valuation, and regulatory frameworks. He’s guided many business owners through high-stakes decisions and transitions, always grounded in his philosophy of “commercial honesty no matter what.”
EDUCATION SESSION 1 (10:30am Wednesday 25 February): Optimising the end-of-life business: A strategic conversation from the outside in
This session invites funeral professionals to step outside their day-to-day operations and examine their business through fresh, strategic eyes. We'll tackle the hard questions that often go unasked: Are you invoicing for the true value you provide? Do you know how and when you'll be paid when engaging with families? Are you making the most of your existing capacity and demographic opportunities?
We'll explore practical cost management through outsourcing, resource sharing, and quality testing of service providers. The conversation will examine funding strategies that support longevity, the dangers of mismatched financial commitments, and the importance of agile resourcing. We'll also unpack the concept of business adjacency and how to monetise underutilised capacity.
Finally, we'll confront succession planning with brutal honesty. If anyone knows that life is unpredictable, it's funeral directors—you've never seen a death notice reading "died after a long period of planning." Business endings, like life itself, often come suddenly. Readiness for succession or sale isn't a six-minute exercise, and we'll discuss why preparation matters more than timing. This session combines hard truths with practical solutions, all delivered with the understanding that in business, as in life, the golden rules remain simple: never run out of cash, earn more than you spend, and be confident in your value—or get out while you can.
John Adams
ABOUT JOHN:
John Adams is a fourth-generation funeral director, past President of the UK’s National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), and host of nationally recognised podcast Death: A Changing Industry. A passionate campaigner for societal change, John led the national petition to integrate bereavement education into the UK curriculum – a petition that was debated in Parliament and is now being shaped by cross-party policy work. Co-Author of the nationally recognised book, ‘Don’t Tell the Children’.
John also serves as Funeral Industry Advisor to Child Bereavement UK and is co-founder of Legacy Share, a digital platform helping individuals document their funeral wishes and personal legacies. He has spoken internationally on topics such as grief, leadership, and funeral sector reform, including keynote sessions in Vietnam, Sydney, and now Auckland.
John is driven by the belief that compassionate, open conversations about death can transform communities—and that funeral professionals play a vital role in leading that change.
UK SPEAKER (11:30am Wednesday 25 February):
The Silence is Over
Hear from UK funeral leader John Adams, a bold voice for sector reform, as he shares insights into how the funeral industry and society are evolving—through a UK lens.
Dr Lucy Hone
ABOUT LUCY:
Internationally respected grief researcher, best-selling author and TED speaker Dr Lucy Hone brings her compelling blend of lived experience, practical insight and academic rigour to this keynote. With her unique background in both resilience and bereavement science, Lucy has spent years exploring what really helps people cope with life’s toughest losses—and what doesn’t.
KEYNOTE DAY 2 (9:05am Thursday 26 February)
What Support Do Grievers Need Most? Findings from Modern Science
In this powerful and highly engaging session, she shares insights from her research and conversations with people actively seeking better ways to support themselves and others after loss. Expect myth-busting, evidence-based truths about grief, and fresh, constructive ideas that every funeral director should know. Drawing from her work across communities, health systems and corporate settings, Lucy will challenge assumptions, inspire reflection, and leave you with practical tools you can use straight away.
Greg Shorland
ABOUT GREG:
Greg Shorland is the driving force behind the Funeral Learning Hub, bringing over 20 years of experience in training and assessment to the funeral profession. Passionate about lifelong learning, Greg specialises in harnessing technology to create accessible, inclusive, and meaningful education experiences. His work supports both individual professional growth and broader business success in a rapidly evolving sector.
EDUCATION SESSION (11:20am Thursday 26 February):
Future ready funeral professionals: The power of online learning
In a profession shaped by tradition yet rapidly evolving, continuous learning is more important than ever. This engaging session explores how online learning is transforming professional development in the funeral sector.
Greg Shorland will share insights on how the Funeral Learning Hub’s 80+ courses, webinars, and podcasts are equipping funeral professionals to upskill in essential areas, respond to emerging needs, and stay ahead of industry change.
Attendees will discover how investing in staff learning improves wellbeing, strengthens engagement, and boosts recruitment and retention. The session will also showcase enhanced features now available through the new Funeral Learning Hub Version 2.0.
Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this session will inspire you to make learning a cornerstone of your workplace culture.
Bruce Ross
Futureproofing your funeral business with AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer the future—it’s a powerful tool available today. But what does that mean for the funeral profession?
In this practical, non-technical session, AI Enablement Strategist Bruce Ross offers a clear, business-first introduction to how AI can support and enhance leadership in funeral service. Whether you’re an owner, general manager, or administrator, this session is designed to demystify AI and show you how it can add real value to your business—right now.
You’ll gain:
- A practical understanding of what AI is (and what it’s not)
- Real-world examples tailored to funeral operations—like writing obituaries, streamlining admin tasks, marketing, and producing service materials
- Easy-to-use tools your team can try—no tech expertise required
- A decision-making framework to safely explore and integrate AI into your business
- Insight into ethical use, limitations, and safeguards to protect your reputation
Bruce’s approach is grounded, accessible, and focused on results. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a path to begin your AI journey—or take it to the next level. Optional resources and follow-up tools will be available for those keen to dig deeper.
