Raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, Joel’s early experiences in nature became the foundation of a lifelong commitment to sustainability, business innovation, and cross-cultural inclusion and acknowledgement. 

 

Never one to shy away from challenges, Joel carved a unique path that combines a deep respect for the environment and the culture of conserving and protecting  it, with a strong emphasis on nature-based educational philosophies and innovative technological solutions for businesses in these spaces.

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At the young age of 22, Joel began his own journey of entrepreneurial self discovery, co-founding Quest Skills for Life and diving headfirst into sustainable outdoor education and environmental recreation programs for youth.  Joel developed and delivered outdoor recreation and leadership programs for some of the top schools in Victoria such as Haileybury, PLC, Brighton Grammar, as well as the low-socio economic schools and youth groups who benefited from his own lived-experience philosophies, methodologies and pedagogy.

 

By 25, he was leading significant international educational tourism projects both in Australia and Asia in the most pristine natural environments, educating thousands of young minds on the importance of resilience, leadership, kindness, and pushing boundaries in the outdoors.

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"Giving young people the tools to imagine a world without boundaries so they can live a life of unlimited possibility."

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After launching OutBeyond in 2016, a new entrant organisation into a saturated sector where international students visit Australia on multi-day  experiences Joel sold and successfully exited this business in 2021 looking towards the future.

 

Moving from hands-on experiential education, Joel redefined an Australian based International Education adventure tourism company Beyond Melbourne which re-imagined the onshore student experience for the 600k students studying in Australia every year. This project addressed many issues facing international students including cultural immersion, cross cultural awareness, inter-campus relationships, student wellbeing, connection to community and a sense of Aussie adventure through recreation and outdoor experiences spanning multiple days in Australia and Victoria's most iconic tourism destinations

 

Joel currently works in the space of innovative environmental and sustainability solutions for businesses across Victoria, Australia and New Zealand. With a knack for identifying growth opportunities and an entrepreneurial spirit fuelled by a clear vision for the future, Joel has partnered with top industry players to drive impactful change in the energy, education and tourism sectors.

 

With a deep respect for the environment and a profound connection to Māori and Indigenous culture, Joel forged a path that incorporated nature-based education, sustainable practices and technological advancements that helped his clients realise there was more to offer. He assisted National and International organisations in improving their social impact, corporate social responsibility targets whilst increasing their bottom line, and ultimately resulting in greater profits for those involved in his earlier journey

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Joel’s current day journey is one of honouring the relationship between people, their traditions, values and the land, known as Tikānga in Māori culture.

 

This guiding principle has inspired Joel to develop new and innovative approaches to his consulting style that not only protect the environment but also celebrate and integrate cultural knowledge into modern day business practises.

 

By bringing together cultural heritage and modern innovations, Joel is pioneering solutions that resonate deeply with both the land and the communities that depend on it. Whether leading sustainability initiatives  and developing renewable energy projects (Island Energy), developing educational programs that highlight Indigenous perspectives (YMCA Victoria), or crafting clean net-zero technological solutions (BunjilX),  that conserve the environment and enhance business profitability.

 

Through these efforts, Joel is not just on a mission in preserving our natural environment but also revitalising cultural practices

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In Joel's role as a consultant, Joel now spends his time focussing on helping businesses navigate the complexities of the current business climate, from helping businesses in achieving NetZero emissions to integrating renewable energy systems and management systems, Joel and his team believe in actionable insights and practical strategies, always keeping the human side of business in focus.

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Over the last 12 years, Joel has shared his expertise in 10 countries, delivering engaging presentations that blend Kiwi and Aussie humour with profound insights into the future of business and the environment. Audiences from small groups to hundreds have been inspired to take action by our teams unique perspective on sustainability, innovation, and the power of entrepreneurial thinking.

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As future focussed thinkers, Joel and his team don’t just predict what’s next—they empower business managers and executives to think differently, to take control of their businesses genetics, and open their minds to the latest trends in AI, strategic business intelligence and the importance of operating and living more sustainably. 

 

The future is what you make of it, why start tomorrow

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Joel is currently working as a business advisor, renewable energy consultant, investor, and mentor, guiding both his own teams, related startups and established companies through the challenges of a rapidly changing world of sustainable business.

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