Reflections from my conversation on indigenous wisdom and the future of business
In the latest episode of Journey to Regeneration, I speak with Heidi Renata, co-founder of INNOV8HQ, and Lisa Ferguson, Director of Regenerative Economies and Community-Led Finance at The Nature Conservancy.
We explore whow ancient ways of caring for land and people can guide modern systems of business, leadership, and finance. From a Māori marae-inspired workspace to a Brazil-based açaí venture reaching financial self-sufficiency, this episode is full of practical wisdom. Heidi shares how Māori principles such as manaakitanga (care), kotahitanga (unity), and whakapapa (connection) shape her work in leadership and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, Lisa reflects on shifting The Nature Conservancy’s approach from top-down conservation to genuine Indigenous partnership.
Some key takeaways:
Regeneration isn’t new—for Māori and Indigenous communities, it has always been a way of life.
Business can be spiritual—Heidi’s journey shows how language, culture, and care can redefine success.
Partnership means patience—Lisa’s work in Brazil illustrates what it means to “move at the speed of trust.”
The power of slowing down — Both guests emphasize patience, humility, and trust as essential counterweights to short-term corporate thinking.
Healing as leadership — True systems change begins with inner change: “If we want to heal the world, we have to heal ourselves.”
It’s a conversation grounded in humility, courage, and love—a reminder that true change doesn’t happen on a quarterly timeline.
Listen to the full episode here:
Indigenous Business Wisdom and Regenerative Practices
In this episode, host Chris Marquis explores regenerative business practices with two inspiring leaders - Heidi Renata, co-founder of Innovate HQ and Māori entrepreneur, and Lisa Ferguson from The Nature Conservancy. Both guests emphasise that regenerative practices aren't new concepts—they're ancient wisdom being reapplied to modern challenges. Key the…
Want more conversations like this? Subscribe to Journey to Regeneration on your favorite podcast platform and share this post with someone who cares about the future of business.
The regenerative business practices and sustainability innovations highlighted in this week’s Regenerative Insights directly tackle the critical issues of corporate responsibility explored in my recent book explored in my recent book, The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost.