Stay curious, embrace the unexpected, and see every day as an opportunity to make a difference
Kate Dundas is a dynamic leader who seamlessly bridges corporate sustainability, urban development, and entrepreneurship. With 20 years of experience spanning boardrooms, manufacturing floors, and global policy forums, she translates complex sustainability challenges into commercially viable opportunities.
She founded and scaled a multi-million-dollar manufacturing enterprise grounded in circular economy principles, proving that business success and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. As an urban innovator, she has transformed brownfield sites into thriving precincts, delivering measurable economic and social impact.
Kate’s superpower lies in convening business, government, and civil society to drive systemic change. She thrives on navigating complexity, bringing energy, vision, and execution to turn ambitious goals into reality. A sought-after speaker, she connects people with ideas through engaging storytelling—whether in CEO forums, TED Talks, or stand-up comedy.
Governance is another cornerstone of Kate’s leadership. With over 15 years on not-for-profit boards and advisory committees, she excels in strategic oversight, risk management, and fostering values-driven cultures. She understands the evolving role of governance in navigating today’s economic, social, and environmental landscape.
At her core, Kate is a passionate advocate for community and nature. Whether co-founding a not-for-profit, championing sustainability, or swimming in the sea with her two boys, she believes in living her values every day. Her philosophy? Stay curious, embrace complexity, and create impact with purpose, positivity, and play.
Talking Points
Regenerative Business: From Sustainability to Thriving Systems
Sustainability is no longer enough. In a world facing ecological and social tipping points, businesses must move beyond "doing less harm" to actively restoring and regenerating systems. In this keynote, Kate Dundas unpacks how leading companies are embracing regenerative business models—drawing inspiration from nature, circular economy principles, and indigenous knowledge—to create lasting value for people and the planet.Regenerative Business: From Sustainability to Thriving Systems
Key Takeaways:
- Why sustainability isn’t the finish line—it's the starting point
- Lessons from nature: Biomimicry and regenerative design in business
- How leaders can shift from extractive to regenerative thinking
The Unseen Risks of Net Zero: Hidden Pitfalls & Leadership Blind Spots
Net zero commitments are everywhere—but are they delivering real impact? Many corporate sustainability strategies contain hidden risks, from carbon accounting loopholes to short-term fixes that ignore long-term resilience. Kate Dundas explores the common traps leaders fall into and how to avoid greenwashing, financial risk, and reputational damage in the race to net zero.The Unseen Risks of Net Zero: Hidden Pitfalls & Leadership Blind Spots
Key Takeaways:
- The biggest blind spots in corporate climate strategies
- How to build a credible, science-backed pathway to net zero
- Why governance and accountability matter more than ever
The Rise of the Chief Sustainability Officer: Power, Influence & The Future of Leadership
The Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) role is evolving from a niche function to a core business leader shaping corporate strategy, risk management, and innovation. But how do CSOs gain real influence in the C-suite? And what will sustainability leadership look like in the next decade? In this keynote, Kate Dundas explores the future of sustainability leadership and how to embed impact at the highest levels of business.The Rise of the Chief Sustainability Officer: Power, Influence & The Future of Leadership
Key Takeaways:
- How the CSO role is shifting—and what it means for businesses
- The three skills every sustainability leader needs to master
- How to secure board and C-suite buy-in for ambitious sustainability goals
Radical Collaboration: Why Sustainability Can’t Succeed in Silos
The biggest sustainability challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, supply chain resilience—can’t be solved by any one company alone. Yet many businesses still approach sustainability with a competitive mindset, guarding data and solutions rather than leveraging collective intelligence. Kate Dundas reveals how radical collaboration between competitors, industries, and governments is the key to unlocking true sustainability impact.Radical Collaboration: Why Sustainability Can’t Succeed in Silos
Key Takeaways:
- Why partnerships—not competition—are the future of sustainability
- Case studies of cross-industry collaboration driving systemic change
- How leaders can create a culture of openness, trust, and shared progress
MC
Kate Dundas is a skilled and engaging MC, known for her ability to create an atmosphere of energy, insight, and connection. MC
With a natural presence on stage, she seamlessly guides discussions, keeps audiences engaged, and ensures events run smoothly. Whether hosting high-level CEO forums, sustainability summits, or interactive panels, Kate brings a dynamic blend of professionalism, warmth, and sharp facilitation skills—making complex topics accessible and conversations truly impactful.
Video
Kate Dundas | TEDxMelbourne | Saxton Speakers
Kate Dundas is interested in how we think about and use land. She is passionate about finding ways to connect people back into the food chain by making it easy for people to access land to grow food and build community. Kate's vision for a fresh food city was inspired by 596acres in New York, she is attempting to bring the project to Melbourne and unlock the vast acres of land which lie underutlised, and hidden in plain sight in our city. She is a senior Landscape Architect and Urban Designer at Planisphere in Melbourne. She works on long term plans for communities and cities along with designing parks, gardens, streets and spaces.Kate Dundas | Forward Faster Forum UN Global Compact Network Australia | Saxton Speakers
Thank you for such an excellent job in facilitating our Impact X Summit Sydney as MC. The feedback we’ve had on your role during and after the event has only been extremely positive. You del ... keep reading Impact X
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