Sharon (Shaz Bryant) Uri o Ngai Te Rangi, Waikati-Tainui Iwi and affiliates to Wales and Scotland. Shaz as a kaiwhakaora ngangahau (occupational therapist) Māori practitioner and has worked in kaupapa Māori child and adolescent mental health services before moving into teaching as a kaiako at Otago Polytechnic for a number of years before taking on a new role as Kaitohutohu Ngaio (professional advisor) tangata whenua where she has worked for the past year, with Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau o Aotearoa /The Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand.

Theresa, a proud Wahine Māori of Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tuhoe, and Ngāti Rarua, hails from Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa. With a remarkable career spanning two decades, she has left an indelible mark on Māori Development. Her journey commenced with a decade in the public sector, where she influenced various government sectors, including health, education, and social and economic development. In 2010, Theresa ventured into entrepreneurship, founding her own health and fitness business, subsequently expanding her portfolio with Māori-centric ventures across diverse industries. Her expertise in indigenous business development has established her as a pioneering leader, advocating for the profound importance of indigenous knowledge in shaping a prosperous future for Māori, grounded in whakapapa, whenua, wairua, and all things Māori.