Speaker Profiles
We are delighted to share the first speaker announcement for ReimaginED25 in Fremantle.
Speakers
Dr Peter Senge
Co-founder, Center for Systems Awareness and MIT Systems Awareness Lab
Peter Senge has been at the forefront of organizational learning since publishing his classic text The Fifth Discipline in 1990, which provided theories and methods to foster aspiration, develop reflective conversation, and understand complexity in service of shaping learning-oriented organization cultures. In 1997, Harvard Business Review named the learning organization as one of “the seminal business ideas of the prior 75 years.”
Throughout his career, Peter has been asking, “how do we create the conditions for people to work together at their best, cultivating the innate systems intelligence that is our birthright but is all but lost in modern culture?” As an engineer by training, his work has always emphasized tools and methods, not for their own sake but as vehicles for building individual and collective capacities.
Starting with the creation of the Society of Organizational Learning (SoL) in 1997, he has focused on developing learning communities within and especially among organizations, as a way to bring about deep change that individual organizations are unable to achieve working alone. This resulted in the SoL Sustainability Consortium in 1998, pioneer businesses who saw social and ecological imbalances shaping the future, the Sustainable Food Lab in 2002, many of the world’s largest food companies and NGOs working together to make sustainable agriculture the mainstream system, and numerous learning communities in primary and secondary education, leading up to the present global Compassionate Systems community.
For this work Peter was named by the Journal of Business Strategy as one of the 24 people who had the greatest influence on business strategy in the 20th century. In addition to being the founding chairperson of SoL, he is co-founder of The Academy for Systems Change and a senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Sloan School of Management. He is the co-director of the MIT Systems Awareness Lab based in the Department of Comparative Media Studies / Writing.
Peter graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in engineering. He holds an M.S. in social systems modeling and a Ph.D. in management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. His publications include The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization (1990), The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook (1994), The Dance of Change (1999), Schools that Learn: A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Parents, and Everyone Who Cares about Education (2000, 2010), Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future (2004, 2008), and The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals and Organizations Are Working Together to Create a Sustainable World (2008).
Jan Owen AM HON DLITT
Co-Chair and Convenor, Learning Creates Australia; Chair, Cool Australia; Founder and Principal, Adaptability Q; Co-convenor, FoyerInvest Consortium
Jan has spent her career working at the intersection of individual, organisational and societal change as an entrepreneur, innovator and social sector leader. Her work includes: building and leading alliances; campaigns and advocacy on the rights of children and young people around the globe; strategy, innovation and leadership on the future of education, work and entrepreneurship; facilitating and building powerful strategic community, business, government and philanthropic investment and partnerships committed to our collective future as an inclusive, imaginative and courageous world.
Jan has been the recipient of many Awards acknowledging her commitment to unleashing the unlimited potential of children and young people and services to the Australian community.
Jan is Founder and Principal, AdaptabilityQ: working with innovative leaders and organisations on strategy, innovation & systems change; Co-Chair/Convenor, Learning Creates Australia; Co-Convenor, FoyerInvest Consortium; Chair, Cool Australia and Co-Founder, Be Well.
She is the co-author of Every Childhood Lasts a Lifetime (1996) and The Future Chasers (2014); and Host of the New Work Bites Podcast.
Professor Josh Byrne
Dean, Sustainable Futures, Curtin University
Josh Byrne is an environmental scientist and urban design professional with a national profile as a consultant, researcher and communicator in urban sustainability. His approach is leadership through demonstration by engaging in projects that provide opportunities to test innovation, build capacity and share learnings with stakeholders and the wider community.
Josh has a long association with applied research, complimenting his extensive industry experience in the urban design and development sector. Following the completion of his PhD, Josh was responsible for running nationwide, demand-led research projects with Curtin University and the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living. His research expertise spans water sensitive design, energy efficient housing and sustainable urban development, and he has authored a number of academic publications, industry guides and factual video series in these fields.
Josh is well known as the WA presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia program where over the past 20 years he has demonstrated how gardening can improve urban livability to a national audience. He is a regular contributor to print and radio media, and author of three popular books on sustainable gardening and low carbon living.
Josh’s unique skill set and interdisciplinary approach to practice, research, policy and communication has been recognised through numerous awards including the Australian Water Association WA Water Professional of the Year, the Planning Institute of Australia WA Planning Champion, and Murdoch University’s Distinguished Alumni for Science and Engineering. He is a member of the Waste Authority of Western Australia, the WA Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, and the WA State Government Design Review Panel.
Professor Sandra Milligan
Executive Director, Melbourne Metrics, University of Melbourne
Enterprise Professor Sandra Milligan is Executive Director of Melbourne Metrics at the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne. Sandra has an unusually wide engagement with the education industry and in educational research.
Originally a teacher of science and mathematics, she is also a former Director of Curriculum in an Australian state education department and has held senior research, management and governance positions in a range of educational organisations, including government agencies, not-for-profits, small start-up businesses and large, listed, international corporations. Sandra’s current research interests focus on assessment, recognition and warranting of hard-to-assess learning. She directs several research partnerships with school networks and organisations working to develop Learner Profiles for their students. She is lead author of Future Proofing Australian Students with New Credentials report, outlining methods to reliably assess and recognise the level of attainment of general capabilities, and of Report 1: Recognition of learning success for all
She was co-founder of The Good Universities Guide series, and has a background in technology commercialisation in education. She is the Convenor of a Melbourne University MOOC targeting professional learning for teachers in the area of assessment and teaching of 21C skills, which has to date has enrolled over 30,000 teachers worldwide.
Hannah Fitzhardinge
Mayor, City of Fremantle
Hannah Fitzhardinge was elected Mayor of Fremantle in October 2021, following five years serving as a Councillor for Beaconsfield Ward. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Hannah has served on the Rottnest Island Board and the boards of the Beehive Montessori School and ARTRAGE. She is a Director and occasional Coach/Facilitator at Integral, a Perth-based leadership development company.
Hannah has spent 15 years in corporate public affairs, government approvals and strategic communication, and in the resources sector. She is only the second female mayor in Freo’s history and said being approachable, positive, and advocating strongly for the community would underpin her approach to the City’s most prominent job. Hannah aims to work positively and constructively with her colleagues, City staff and the people of Freo. She believes in being a coffee shop mayor; someone you can see around town and share ideas with. Hannah believes Freo is a place of inclusion, optimism and creativity that has a fantastic future ahead. The future of Fremantle Port, activation of Walyalup Koort, reviewing the City’s Strategic Community plan and further advocacy for funding for projects like the Fremantle Oval redevelopment are among the immediate priorities.
Hannah is passionate about having an impact, creating connection and being of service. She believes people are capable of amazing things and by collaborating, leading effectively, and engaging positively with others we can change the world.
Kankawa Nagarra
Bunuba, Walmatjarri and Gooniyandi Elder and Co-designer, Ears of the Heart Project
Kankawa Nagarra prefers to be called by her birth name. She is also known by her English name of Olive Knight. She is an Elder of the Bunuba, Walmatjarri and Gooniyandi Tribes of the West Kimberley, Western Australia. Kankawa is a Translator of her traditional languages and a Musician, Poet, Artist and Storyteller. Her Cultural Knowledge of Systems Awareness drives the way she lives her life and she is a mentor to many.
Kankawa sees that all efforts for Reconciliation, Closing the Gap and the Referendum have failed because people are never willing to look for the reasons in "the Big Wild Fire" where it began and why it continues to burn. Her astute observation about life in the Communities, towns of the Fitzroy Valley is that people who want to help only know how to hold talkfests and develop projects to "put out spot fires" that continue to be lit from the sparks of the wildfire that continues to rage. She believes that the time for this approach is over. Kankawa wants us to 'meet each other human to human'.The first step is to reconnect with 'who they really' are as human beings on our one Earth. This doesn’t happen through our thinking, with our ears on our heads. To help others she shares her deep cultural Knowledge of the Indigenous meaning of deep listening. This happens in the yarn, a place where we can really 'hear' what we have 'listened' to in our Heads.
'Ears of the Heart' was born from this knowing after many hours of Yarning with the Co-founders. Kankawa believes this is the source of who we are as humans and that we can know instinctively, but we have forgotten over time who we really are. The disconnect with this inner knowing is what is at the root of many of the traumas and disconnections that exist for us all today. The first choice we can make to heal our disconnects is to learn how to listen more deeply with this place deep in us, not only with our Ears on our Heads.
Tara Merks
Director, Serve Learn
Tara brings passion and over 25 years educational leadership experience to her role as Director of Serve Learn Educational Consultants. Tara has a Masters in Ed Leadership (LeHigh, USA) and PTC Principals Training Certificate (USA), she is an Instructional Coach (Madison Wisconsin, USA) and has led schools around the world in developing sustainable service learning and global citizenship programs. She has presented at international conferences for teachers, leaders and students, ran PD workshops and webinars and supports teaching and learning with in-school consulting. The Serve Learn Conceptual Curriculum Framework is available online with academy courses for students, teachers and leaders.
Tara is a collaborative author of Enacting Equitable Global Citizenship Education in School by Routledge. She repatriated to Melbourne Australia with her two boys Eddie aged 14 and Tom aged 11 after 18 years leading international education in the Middle East (ASK), Asia (ISM) and Africa (AISJ).
Hamish Curry
General Manager, Cool Australia
Hamish has a 25-year background in leading education across schools, libraries, and education companies using design thinking and intercultural learning. He brings tenacity and creativity to his work, with a wealth of knowledge and experience in making education better. Through Cool Australia, he leads the development of new initiatives and refining existing processes to ensure education gets the resources they need to help people and the planet. Hamish would rather do all this while snowboarding.
Hamish has been a school teacher with stints in London, UK and Toyama, Japan. He also led the development of the Eltham College City Campus (Year 9 program). He grew significant school and public programs while Education Manager at the State Library of Victoria. As a Senior Consultant with NoTosh he travelled the world for 4 years helping schools and major companies design better learning. Hamish’s last role was as Executive Director of Asia Education Foundation with University of Melbourne, where he shaped intercultural learning across Australia and 23 other nations in school partnerships and programs. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.
Dr Richard Owens FRSA
Director, Woodleigh Institute, and Co-Founder and Convenor, ReimaginED
Dr. Richard Owens is the Director of the Woodleigh Institute, a global innovation lab dedicated to understanding and enhancing transformative approaches to learning and leadership. The institute has a special interest in regenerative learning and the role it can play in building the capacity of young people to contribute to the thriving of people, places, and our planet.
Richard has over 30 years of experience in teaching, senior leadership, and innovation roles. He has previously served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, university lecturer, Deputy Head, and Head of School, and was the founding director of an international centre for leadership and learning in Singapore. He has worked with teachers, school administrators, academics, system leaders, regional executives, and academics from Australia, Asia, North and South America, and Europe.
Richard currently serves several networks focused on systems change in education. He is the Convenor of ReimaginED, a unique, participatory conference series that aims to develop our collective capacity to address complex challenges in education. He is the Convenor of the Compassionate Systems Collective, the Australian hub of a global ecosystem of educators advancing deep change in education through a focus on systems awareness. Richard is also a member of the Capabilities for Life faculty group at the RSA, with a mission to transform the way capabilities, skills, behaviours, mindsets, and values are nurtured through a focus on connecting people's needs with those of the planet.
Cameron Thorn
Director, Djoowak: The Beyond Boundaries Institute and Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Western Australia.
Cameron is the Director of Djoowak: The Beyond Boundaries Institute and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Western Australia (YEAWA). He was Head of Service Learning, Camps and Tours, Head of Year and Rowing Coach at Perth College, following roles as Project Manager at UWA and Manager of Curtin Leadership Centre at Curtin University.
While a Team Leader, managing the Curtin AHEAD Academic Mentor Program, Cameron received a VC Professional Staff Excellence Award in the team category of Engagement. While in this role, Cameron established Row AHEAD with Clontarf Aboriginal College, an aspiration-raising program to increase Aboriginal participation in higher education.
In addition to a B Ed (English, Design), Cameron is soon to graduate from a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies at UWA, a degree that incorporates key aspects of public policy, social impact and community development. Cameron’s areas of focus in this is the interface between organisations and the communities they serve or are based, and how to maximise the potential benefits of collaborations and structured partnerships. In support of these studies, Cameron was the recipient a Westpac Future Leaders’ Scholarship.
Heather Lawrence
Co-designer, Ears of the Heart Project
Heather has been passionate about the unrealised potential of educational settings for over 40 years. Her background in early years education led her to work in diverse settings Nationally and Internationally, over 30 years in Tertiary settings, Adult Education in Community and Education Sectors. Heather taught and researched at University of Melbourne until 2012, and has continued to work with, teach and mentor Educators through Conferences, Seminars, in small groups. Importantly her wish is collaboration with others, to create life serving learning opportunities in trans-contextual ways, based on compassion, care and love.
Heather’s intention was always to bring an 'Awareness' of the complex issues that drive the behaviours of children, youth and young adults and the influences of systems of Education, Health, Economy, Politics on their social experiences in families and Communities. This was highlighted when she began to collaborate with Kankawa Nagarra, where she faced the hard truths of the effects, of multiple and often opposing theories over time, along with ever changing drivers of Political and Economic Policies, on the lives of children, youth, young adults and their families in the Kimberley. More hard truths were faced with the awareness that these circumstances are not unique in Indigenous Communities. This led to deeper Research in Strategic Foresight, Systems Change and Learning Journeys of her own Inner dimensions.
Heather has learned that 'Awareness' on its own was not enough for Teachers, Students and families to participate in ecosystems in Schools they would love to be a part of. She began to hold the question, “How can conditions be created and nurtured for educators and parents and students and the wider Organisations, Governments and others help each other to flourish, together". This question continues for Heather, Kankawa and Ears of the Heart journeymen as they continue learning journey of Indigenous Wisdoms with diverse Spiritual Perspectives with Awareness Based and Compassionate Systems Change methods that deliberately pay attention to the "wildfires" that continue to burn and affect the lives of so many in these times.
Jessamy Gee
Founder and Director, Think in Color
As one of Australia’s leading Graphic Recorders, Melbourne-based Jessamy Gee has developed a unique skill set in listening, synthesising, capturing and communicating information visually. She is the Founder and Director of Think in Colour, Founder and President of Graphic Recorders Australia, author of GR's Best Mate and co-author of The World of Visual Practice. In 2018, Jessamy was the keynote speaker at the inaugural VizConf in Melbourne. In 2020, she became the first Australian Director to serve on the Board of the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP). In 2021, Jessamy took over the role of Chapter Host for Creative Mornings Melbourne.
Since launching Think in Colour in 2011, Jessamy has become internationally renowned for her work, and has serviced a diverse range of clients all around Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe across the corporate, community, education and government sectors.
Jessamy has captured talks by some of Australia’s leading minds including former President of the Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs, former Greens leader Bob Brown, advertising personality Todd Sampson, actor Madga Szubanski, academic and presenter Waleed Aly, Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel and former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon, as well as revered international thinkers such as futurist and inventor Ray Kurzweil, and originator of lateral thinking, Edward de Bono.
In 2019, Jessamy was invited to Strasbourg by the Council of Europe to graphically record their annual Octopus Conference on Cybercrime - an international event hosting close to 500 delegates from around the world, translated in three languages - showcasing Graphic Recording on the world stage.
Erica McWilliam
Academic in Residence, Brisbane Grammar School; Adjunct Professor of Education, Queensland University of Technology
Erica is an internationally recognised scholar in the field of pedagogy with a particular focus on preparing young people for ‘over the horizon’ futures. She directed the Creative Workforce 2.0 Research Program in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, and has also performed professorial duties as an educational researcher at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. She is an Adjunct Professor of Education at the Queensland University of Technology, a Fellow of the Australian Council of Education, an Honorary Fellow of the Australia Council of Educational Leadership, an Associate Fellow of the Learning and Teaching Council of Australia. In 2021, she was awarded a member of the order of Australia (AM) for her services to education. She is currently the Academic in Residence at the Brisbane Grammar School.
Jayne Johnston
Enterprise Fellow, Melbourne Metrics, University of Melbourne
Jayne is Enterprise Fellow in Melbourne Metrics at The University of Melbourne. Melbourne Metrics works with partners to develop robust, reliable, research-based systems to assess and recognise complex competencies (general capabilities) which are increasingly required for learners to thrive in education, employment and life. Jayne leads teams of researchers, psychometricians and subject experts to develop competency-based assessment instruments and credentials for children, young people and adults in education and professional settings. Originally a teacher of mathematics, Jayne held senior roles in WA, ACT and SA school systems, completing that phase of her career as Deputy Director General in the SA Education.
Dave Runge
Co-Founder and Director, Future Schools
With a passion for reimagining education, Dave works with educational organisations across Australia and internationally to build new systems and create innovative responses. As a Co-Founder and Director of Future Schools, Dave collaborates closely with executive leadership teams, boards, associations, and educational organisations, providing invaluable guidance supporting educators to discover, design and implement innovative solutions. Recognising the importance of systemic change, Dave focuses his efforts on change leadership. His expertise in change leadership, culture, and innovation has been instrumental in implementing successful change initiatives in diverse educational settings throughout Australia. With a deep understanding of the education landscape and by fostering collaboration and facilitating the exchange of ideas, Dave empowers schools and educational leaders to evolve their practices, transform their learning environments, and create meaningful change within their settings.
David de Carvalho
Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Philosophy, and Theology, University of Notre Dame Australia
David de Carvalho is the Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia. Prior to this role, David was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). He has extensive experience in leading major reforms at both national and state level and a deep personal passion for, and understanding of, education.
Immediately prior to ACARA, he was CEO of the NSW Education Standards Authority. He has held senior roles in the NSW Department of Family and Community Services and the Commonwealth departments the Treasury, Health and Ageing, Finance and Deregulation, Education, and Prime Minister and Cabinet. From 1998-2003 he was CEO of the National Catholic Education Commission. He started his career as a secondary school teacher, and has served on the boards of the Australian Council of Educational Research and the Curriculum Corporation (now Education Services Australia).
Keren Caple
Chief Executive, Innovation Unit (Australia New Zealand)
Keren leads Innovation Unit Australia New Zealand. Keren focuses on our strategy and impact in the Asia Pacific region and our education work globally. She currently works domestically with the Department of Education in Western Australia redesigning learning and schooling, Parkerville Children and Youth Care redesigning models of out of home care and the Department of Communities as part of their ambitious agenda to change outcomes for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence. Keren also leads our work with the Bermudian Government, developing new models of learning and schooling and leading the transformation of the system across Bermuda.
Keren is deeply committed to supporting people and communities to really thrive, beginning with their early education and care and continuing with their learning and wellbeing throughout their lives. To achieve this Keren works with communities, organisations, foundations and whole systems and sectors to create fundamental change in ‘the way things are done’. By maintaining a focus on both the lives of the people involved and the learning experience of leaders and indeed all professionals who work to make a difference, Keren’s work creates the conditions in which real change can happen at scale.
Prior to joining Innovation Unit, Keren spent five years working on improving and innovating teaching and leadership throughout Australia as General Manager of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership.
Linda Savage
Chair, For Tomorrow WA
Linda has a BA (Hons) in Politics (UWA) and a law degree from Cambridge.
Throughout her working life she has focused on law reform and the rights of women and children.
She is a former Director of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Legal Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Member of the West Australian parliament and was the Inaugural Convener of the Valuing Children Initiative.
She has co-authored two books, written numerous opinion pieces and academic articles and served on a wide range of advisory committees and boards including the Chief Justice’s Gender Bias Taskforce, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, The Black Swan State Theatre, the Reproductive Technology Council of WA and the executive of Women Lawyers (WA).
Linda is Chair of For Tomorrow WA and on the board of the University of Western Australia International Public Policy Advisory Board, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board (WA) and Upswell Publishing.
In 1997 she was awarded the Law Society of Western Australia’s annual award for Outstanding Service to the Community. In 2010 she was named Woman Lawyer of the Year (WA). In October 2018 she was appointed as an Ambassador for Children and Young People. In 2020 she was appointed as an inaugural Ambassador for the Women’s Legal Service (WA).
Ellen Moffatt
Deputy Principal at Westbourne Grammar School
Ellen Moffatt is an established author of foreign language learning titles. Passionate about impactful pedagogy and leadership, Ellen seeks to empower all learners to harness their strengths for the common good.
Ellen has completed a Master of Education and a Master of Business Administration. She was named on The Educator’s 2023 ‘Rising Stars’ list, an Excellence Awardee in the 2021 Australian Education Awards’ ‘Secondary Teacher of the Year (Non-Government)’ category, and has presented at various conferences, including the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools Global Forum on Girls’ Education II (Washington, D.C. 2018) and the ACEL National Conference (Brisbane, 2023).
Stephen Campbell
Director of Strategic Projects, Pymble Ladies College
Stephen became a teacher as soon as he left university: it is, for me, a vocation, as I want to use my talents and skills to make the world a better place. What better way to do this than by supporting the development of others? I started my career in the state sector in the UK but have worked internationally, in independent education and now work in NSW. As well as teaching young people, Stephen also derives great joy from teacher education.
Dr Amie Fabry
Director of Early Childhood, The Learning Future
Dr Amie Fabry is a passionate early childhood educator, researcher and facilitator who is committed to empowering early childhood leaders to transform pedagogical practice. A rising star in the education sector, Amie uses a strengths-based approach to build the confidence, knowledge and skills of early childhood educators, teachers and leaders to create responsive and trusting cultures in which educators and children can thrive.
At The Learning Future, Amie draws on her multi-faceted experience in research, practice and policy, to design and facilitate professional learning programs and projects that inspire and ignite transformation in the education of our youngest citizens.
Amie’s PhD research revealed the critical role early childhood leaders play in school settings generating cultures of collaboration and connection that enhance children’s transition into and through the early years of school. She is the author of Lead with Intention, the first framework for leading the early years of school.
Matthew Esterman
Founder / Direction, The Next Word
Matt Esterman has over 15 years working in schools and beyond as a leading voice in the thoughtful adoption of technology. He is a trained History teacher, with two masters degrees and who has made a significant contribution to professional learning in Australia and overseas. He has worked across different educational settings and has been recognised with several awards, most recently as a Commonwealth Bank Teaching Fellow, provided by Australian Schools Plus.
Matt has founded The Next Word, a consultancy that seeks to leverage AI and other technologies to help shape a better future, especially for our young people. He now works with schools, universities and other organisations to increase awareness and capability in using AI to enhance educational outcomes. He has co-authored a book titled “The Next Word: AI & Teachers” with Dr Nick Jackson, which launched in 2024. USchool is an initiative he is co-leading with other Australian and global educators, to reshape education by establishing a thriving network of learning hubs across the world which focus on student growth, wellbeing and achievement well beyond the narrow aims of curricula.
Kelly Ilich
Sessional academic, PhD Candidate, Curtin University
Kelly is an experienced educator, having begun teaching secondary school Humanities and Social Sciences in 2006. She has taught across the public, independent and Catholic sectors in Western Australia, and has worked for the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority, as well as overseas. She also has experience in providing online professional development, mentoring and coaching to teachers across Australia. She has been a sessional academic for the School of Education at Curtin University since 2022.
Kelly is currently completing a PhD at Curtin University on the topic of teaching algorithmic literacy.
Louka Parry
Founder and CEO, The Learning Future, and Founding Executive, Karanga
As one of Australia's top innovators, Louka Parry speaks on futures, leadership, education, and transformation; having worked with thousands of leaders and educators from diverse contexts across the world, including in high-level policy fora such as the OECD, UNESCO, the European Commission, and with all Australian States and Territories. An award-winning educator, speaker, facilitator, and adventurer, Louka’s powerful ability to communicate ideas with clarity allows him to guide thinking about learning, leadership, and life to new places, earning him a place in 2022 as a Top 100 Innovator for Australia. As CEO + Founder of The Learning Future, Louka is committed to transforming learning structures, systems and societies that further empower individuals to develop the key human capabilities that matter most now and into the future.
Laura Motherway
Strategic Creative Learning Manager, FORM Building a State of Creativity
Laura is an author and arts professional with over 20 years’ experience managing and delivering programs in paediatric hospitals and the arts sector. She brings a wealth of expertise in program management, leadership and children’s health and wellbeing, and is passionate about the role creativity plays in living a happy flourishing life. As a WA Academy of Performing Arts graduate, Laura has worked professionally as a singer, actor, director and improviser. She is trained in Infant Mental Health, Early Childhood Self-Regulation, Innovation Methodologies and Corporate Leadership. An author of several picture books, Laura is passionate about children having access to quality literature and the benefits of storytelling in all its forms. Laura is currently the Strategic Creative Learning Manager at FORM Building a State of Creativity where she oversees FORM's Creative Learning flagship program Creative Schools and the Scribblers Literature Festival. FORM’s Creative Learning programs empower young people to develop their creativity, sense of agency and wellbeing through fostering curiosity, a lifelong love of learning and the ability to make sense of the world around and within themselves.
James Pengelley
Secondary School Teacher, All Saints' College, Adjunct Lecturer, Murdoch University
James has worked as a teacher and teacher trainer with students of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds across six countries for 17 years. His expertise includes quantitative research, applications of sociolinguistics and cognitive science to learning environments, and the impact that learning technologies have on teacher and student interactions. His research has been published internationally, and featured on Radio National and The Conversation.
Xiaofang (Sarah) Wang
Associate Lecturer in Teaching and Research, IB Mentorship Coordinator, Murdoch University
Sarah conducts comparative research on academic performance and segregation across schools, regions, sectors, and cultures. Her work aims to provide insights that can help improve the equity, effectiveness, and efficiency of education systems.
In addition to her comparative research, Sarah works on projects related to critical thinking, well-being, and the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research. She is skilled in various research methods and techniques, including quantitative methods, R, QCA, NCA, and AI fundamentals, and she strives to stay updated with the latest advancements in her field.
Before joining Murdoch University as the IB Mentorship Coordinator, Sarah worked in International Baccalaureate (IB) K-12 schools in Australia and Canada. She now teaches post-graduate courses on research foundations and international education.
Sally Nelson
Head of Integrated and Immersive Learning, Carey Baptist Grammar School
Sally has had over 20 years experience in teaching and leading across a range of educational settings, has completed a Master of Education and is an established author for Jacaranda Wiley Publications. She is currently Head of Integrated and Immersive Learning at Carey Baptist Grammar School where she leads development of innovative learning and wellbeing programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Sally has been a representative on VCAA and ACHPER discussion panels, a member of the Learning Creates Australia Social Lab team focussed on enabling community environment to engage with new forms of recognition, presented at various conferences, including Adolescent Success (Singapore and Gold Coast), ACHPER and previous ReimaginEd conferences. She is also member of Carey’s Research and Innovation Team, contributing to the University of Melbourne’s New Metrics initiative to develop new ways for assessing student, school and system success.
Throughout her career, Sally has a demonstrated her ability to innovate and lead contemporary curriculum and has been recognised as an Excellence Awardee for innovation in curriculum design for the Carey C Change Program at the Australian Education Awards. She is passionate about creating secure, nurturing and stimulating environments for students to grow emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.
