Shaun Banner is Chair of Biophilic Cities Australia and Director of OCKHM, a multidisciplinary design practice focused on regenerative urbanism, architecture, and ecological thinking. Based in Perth, Shaun combines expertise in architecture, ecology, education, and futures thinking to explore how cities can better support both human and environmental health. Alongside his professional practice, he has lectured in architecture and has been actively involved in community-led environmental initiatives focused on urban biodiversity and landscape regeneration.

For more than a decade, Shaun has championed biophilic and regenerative approaches to city-making, advocating for development that strengthens the relationship between people and the natural world. Through his leadership of Biophilic Cities Australia, he has helped grow a national network of practitioners, researchers, and advocates committed to embedding nature into urban environments.

Dr Niranjika Wijesooriya-Gunarathne is an architect, academic, author, and sustainability strategist whose work bridges research, education, and practice. As Secretary of Biophilic Cities Australia and a lecturer at the University of Sydney, she has built an international reputation for advancing the integration of biophilic and sustainable design principles within the built environment. Her academic research has focused on developing frameworks that connect biophilic design with environmental sustainability.

Niranjika's experience spans architectural practice, university teaching, sustainability consulting, and policy advocacy across Australia and internationally. As founder of INZSTiL and a leading author in biophilic design education, she is passionate about building capacity among professionals and students to create regenerative and nature-positive outcomes.

Jo Caughtry is a biophilic design consultant, holistic interior designer, and healthcare professional whose work focuses on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and human flourishing. As Creative Director of Sea of Ideas Design and a Board Member of Biophilic Cities Australia, she brings a unique perspective informed by decades of experience in nursing, aged care, executive health management, and design.

Jo has become a leading advocate for the application of biophilic design within aged care, healthcare, education, and residential settings. Drawing on scientific research and practical experience, she champions design approaches that reconnect people with nature while promoting emotional, physical, and cognitive wellbeing.

Sarah du Preez is an educator, sustainability advocate, and permaculture practitioner whose professional work reflects a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience. As a Board Member and former Vice Chair of Biophilic Cities Australia, Sarah brings expertise spanning education, sustainable development, regenerative food systems, and community engagement.

Sarah's experience in sustainability education and regenerative agriculture has provided her with a practical understanding of how ecological principles can be integrated into everyday life. Through volunteering, community programs, and environmental advocacy, she promotes nature-positive solutions that strengthen biodiversity, resilience, and human wellbeing.

Ozge Fettahlioglu is the founder of Cocoplum Design Studio, an evidence-based interior design practice specialising in neuroarchitecture and biophilic design for the hospitality industry. She works with developers and hospitality design experts to translate science into measurable outcomes for guests and asset performance. She is an academic at Western Sydney University and the author of Designing For Health and Wealth, winner of the 2026 Living Now Award for Outstanding Book of the Year. She is also the creator of the Biophilic Design Toolkit.

Ozge is also the founder of Boxareno, a sister company delivering project-based custom fit-outs, furniture and modular construction design and manufacturing for the hospitality sector. Through Cocoplum Design Studio, she offers interior design services, CPD courses, audits and consulting for developers and hospitality design experts applying biophilic and neuroarchitectural principles at scale.

James Pearce is a Senior Principal at Populous and a Brisbane-based architect with extensive experience leading complex city-shaping projects across the world. Throughout his career, he has worked across major civic, cultural, sport, and urban development initiatives, with a focus on creating places that strengthen the connection between people, nature, and community.

Passionate about the role of nature in shaping healthier and more resilient cities, James is a strong advocate for biophilic urbanism and nature-positive development. He champions approaches that embed ecological thinking into planning, design, and delivery, helping create thriving urban environments that enhance wellbeing, biodiversity, and community resilience.

Dr Ehsan Noroozinejad Farsangi is an Associate Professor, researcher, author, and thought leader specialising in resilient infrastructure, sustainable construction, and urban transformation. As a Board Member of Biophilic Cities Australia and a senior leader at Western Sydney University's Urban Transformations Research Centre, he has built an internationally recognised career advancing innovative approaches to resilience, digital transformation, and net-zero development.

Ehsan's work increasingly focuses on the intersection of climate resilience, housing affordability, urban sustainability, and future city development. Through research into modular construction, smart infrastructure, digital twins, and net-zero cities, he advocates for practical solutions that improve both environmental and social outcomes.