Chief Industry Engagement and Education Delivery Officer Bendigo Kangan Institute

Arron Wood is Bendigo Kangan Institute’s Chief Industry Engagement and Education Delivery Officer. He is responsible for education delivery across 10 campuses both metro and regional. The role also includes engaging industry to ensure our programs are relevant and our graduates have a career pathway. Arron is the former Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne. In 2008 Arron completed a Churchill Fellowship which took him to New York and Geneva working with the United Nations to research replication of environmental education programs on a global scale.

Public Speaking Specialist

Jordana Borensztajn is a Public Speaking Trainer, Presentation Skills Coach, Keynote Speaker, MC, Author, Humourist and Social Media Strategist.
Jordana Borensztajn’s experience includes being a News Corp Australia journalist, working as online music editor, content producer and social media manager at Nova Entertainment, speaking at corporate conferences around the world, performing two sold-out shows in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and running a schools program that explores online safety for students.

National Skills Lead and Director, Management Consulting at KPMG Australia

Jemma is KPMG’s National Skills Lead. Jemma has particular experience and interest in working with the sector at both an institutional and departmental level to:

• transform institutions for the better (including improving systems and processes);
• add expertise, insight and capability to solve complex problems;
• collaborate with her clients to successfully manage change; and
• improve educational outcomes through evidence-based innovative policy

Principal at Nous Group

Hamish leads Nous education and skills practice. He has a deep interest in the interface between government, education and employment with deep expertise in tertiary education, skills and labour markets. His experience includes working with providers, governments, employers and other organisations to deliver high quality education that meets community needs under a variety of settings and locations.

Director, ACIL Allen Consulting

Les is a Director in ACIL Allen Consulting’s Melbourne office. After a PhD in Operations Research from the University of Melbourne, Les began his career at the State Electricity Commission in 1983 in a business technology and process improvement role. He joined KPMG in 1992 and became a Partner in its government advisory practice in 1996. Les joined the Allen Consulting Group in 2005 where he held the position of Executive Chairman from 2010 until its merger with ACIL Tasman in April 2013 to form ACIL Allen Consulting.

Chancellor of La Trobe University

The Hon John Brumby AO is the Chancellor of La Trobe University and a Professor (Honorary) at the University of Melbourne. He is well known for his roles as former Premier of Victoria (2007 to 2010) and Treasurer (2000 to 2007), as well as his time in Federal Parliament (1983 to 1990) during the Hawke Government. Mr Brumby was recently appointed Chair of the Victorian Government's new $2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund. He is also the Chair of a number of for profit and not-for-profit enterprises.

Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Ruthven Institute and IBISWorld

Phil Ruthven has spent the majority of his career in the fields of strategic consulting, long-range analysis and forecasting of economic and business information and environments. Ruthven founded IBISWorld – the world’s largest international online market & industry database – in 1971. In 2017 Phil founded the Ruthven Institute to assist Boards, CEOs, C-suite executives and MBA students to know how to achieve WBP performance and profitability.

Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Minister for Training and Skills
Minister for Higher Education

Gayle Tierney was appointed as Minister for Training and Skills, and Minister for Corrections in November 2016. Following the 2018 Victorian State Election, Gayle was appointed as Minister for Training and Skills, and Minister for Higher Education. Minister Tierney has undertaken significant reform to ensure that Victoria’s training and skills sector is accessible and offers real training for real jobs. In January 2019 Free TAFE for Priority Courses was launched. This significant initiative is breaking down barriers to participation and ensuring industry can access a pipeline of skilled workers, particularly for Victoria’s major infrastructure projects. Gayle has also delivered additional investment to upgrade and rebuild Victorian TAFEs, ensuring modern, state-of-the-art facilities that give learners up-to-date and relevant training. She has also overseen the delivery of a new TAFE and training system in Victoria under Skills First reforms, as well as strengthening apprenticeships and traineeships, and helped boost participation. Apart from being an advocate for regional infrastructure and employment, Gayle is also a strong supporter of environmental sustainability, gender representation, social inclusion and community development. She was the first woman to become a State Secretary of the Vehicle Division of the traditionally male-dominated Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, serving in this role from 1993 to 2006, and also as the Federal President from 2000 to 2006. Gayle also served on the Executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 2000 to 2006.

CEO Victorian Skills Authority

Craig Robertson commenced as CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority in August 2021. The authority is tasked by the Victorian Government to plan for post school education and training to help the economy recover from the pandemic and build up industry skills responses and support more Victorians into mainstream participation in work, further education and enterprise. Prior to this role Craig was the CEO of TAFE Directors Australia from April 2017. The organisation promotes nationally and internationally the critical role that TAFEs play in tertiary education in Australia. TAFEs are core providers of vocational training and further education as a pathway to higher level training and education, and partner with industry and business to develop their workforces and assist in implementing with new production processes and services. The majority of Craig’s career before this was in Government. He worked in the Victorian Government in 2015 and 2016 with responsibilities for the operation of vocational education and working with Victorian universities. Craig also worked for over 30 years in the Commonwealth Government with responsibilities in national policy and program delivery relating to employment services, funding for schools and most aspects of vocational education and training.
Craig holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration and Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Chief Academic Officer at TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland is the largest, training provider in the state of Queensland, with more than 500 nationally-recognised qualifications to choose from across 50 campus locations.
As the Chief Academic Officer, Joann leads the academic governance processes of TAFE Queensland and chairs the TAFE Queensland Academic Board. Joann is passionate about TAFE being an active and high quality learning organisation that students, employers, industry and employees are proud to be associated with.

Founder and Owner of Blackmagic Design, in conversation with VTA Executive Director, Jeremy Irvine

Bio

Future Skills Lead at Microsoft

Yasminka Nemet has contributed to the development of numerous products and has led programs that have improved educational outcomes in both Australia and the US. In her current role at Microsoft, Yasminka is focussed on one of the greatest education challenges of our time which is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to not just participate, but thrive in the digital economy.

Executive Director Educational Delivery, Box Hill Institute

With over 20 years of experience in the Vocational Education sector both in Victoria and NSW.
Currently as head of Educational Delivery have overall accountability and responsibility in leading strategic directions and transformation along with providing leadership to Vocational Education Faculties, Higher Education College, Teaching Innovation Team, Teacher Enhancement Team, Yarra Ranges Tech School, amongst others.
Driving the establishment with direct oversight of the Institute’s core Teaching and Learning activities to meet the evolving needs of students and industries in an ever-increasing and changing competitive market.
Currently quality education and digital transformation a major focus within BHI’s teaching environment.

Director of Digital Skills & Concepts at Digital Skills Organisation

Dr. Nair has over 25 years of a varied experience at TAFE NSW in leadership, Education, Technology & Training. In her previous role as the Head of Technology and Business Services SkillsPoint at TAFE NSW, she managed diverse and complex work programs in TAFE NSW in collaboration with Technology and Business Services industry, focusing on Technology and Vocational Education & Training.

Managing Director, Vector Consulting

Brad’s career has been spent at the intersection of education, training, technology and industry. Brad has worked in government, private enterprise and consulting with a focus on technology's role in improving service delivery, driving efficiencies and as the seminal ingredient for innovation. Brad has worked on Victorian Government VET policy, led major Commonwealth Government reviews and provided advice to institutes and multinationals on a range of initiatives. Areas of particular focus include innovation management, digital transformation and the impact of technology on education business and operating models. Brad is passionate about the role that TAFE plays in providing opportunities for young people but also for helping to meet some of the biggest challenges in the Australian economy, particularly shortages in tech-intensive roles that do not require a degree qualification.

Chief Executive at Melbourne Polytechnic

Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce

Geoff Gwilym is the Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and brings with him a long history and expertise in the automotive industry.
While initially gaining his automotive body trade qualifications in the UK, Geoff went on to become a qualified teacher, achieved a master’s degree in education and proceeded to manage large curriculum and commercial projects in the TAFE sector.

Executive Director Ai Group Centre for Education and Training

Ms Lilly has had an enduring commitment to research, policy and advocacy in education and training. Over her 30 career, Megan has been consistent in the belief of the capacity of education and training to transform lives. Megan is currently a member of the Australian Industry Skills Committee, board member of National Apprentice Employment Network, Deputy Chair – Worldskills Australia, member of the Australian College of Educators, and the Australia Pacific Training Coalition. Megan also chaired the Joint COAG-NQC Working Group – VET Products for the 21 Century and has presented at international conferences. She has a Masters in Educational Policy and Administration.

Chief Executive Officer at Chisholm Institute

Stephen Varty was interim Chief Executive Officer of Chisholm Institute from April 2019 – November 2019.
Stephen was appointed to the position of Director and Chief Executive Officer from the 18 November 2019.
Stephen has held a number of senior managerial leadership positions across the VET and HE sectors both in the UK and Australia.
He holds a Bachelor of Education - VET (Charles Sturt University), a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership (Victoria University) and a Masters of Education (Victoria University).

Holmesglen’s Chief Executive

As Holmesglen’s Chief Executive, Mary Faraone is also a director of its board. Mary commenced at Holmesglen in mid-2003 and became the institute’s Chief Executive in October 2013. Prior to joining Holmesglen, Mary worked extensively with industry, Registered Training Organisations and TAFEs in various roles. Under her leadership, the institute has established a significant footprint in the Middle East, secured major training projects in Australia and offshore and become recognised as a leader in non-university higher education delivery. It also continues to expand its position as one of the largest Australian providers of vocational education and training to local and international students, industry and employers.

Interim CEO, TAFE Directors Australia

Jenny Dodd has been a TAFE Executive for over ten years, including CEO of TasTAFE in Tasmania, Chief Academic Officer and General Manager Gold Coast for TAFE Queensland, and Deputy CEO (Education) and Director Marketing and National Positioning for the Canberra Institute of Technology. She is currently the Interim CEO of TAFE Directors Australia where she is proud to demonstrate how the public provider is leading quality skills and education outcomes for students and industry. Jenny began her career in marketing, transitioning into vocational education and training teaching after ten years in industry. She has led national change programs for the vocational education and training sector and was the ACT representative on the Flexible Learning Advisory Group for many years.