2024 CEA Annual Conference: Creative Resilience

Jayne

Principal and Founder JBC

Jayne Blake is a CEO, Chair and Non-Executive Board Director. She originally comes from a large corporate leadership background and now works with NFPs and SMEs. Consulting with Boards and CEOs, Jayne helps identify and fix key strategic, governance, culture and leadership issues, building confidence, skills and commercially savvy leaders.

In her non-executive career, Jayne is Chair of AUSactive and of Marine & Civil Maintenance Pty Ltd. She has previously been Chair and Director HeartKids Australia and NSW, Chair Audit and Risk Committee, Nominations and several other Board Committees. In her corporate career, Jayne worked for Vodafone in international executive roles including Sales Director, CFO, GM Commercial, and GM Customer Service.

Jayne established JBC International in 2009, specialising in assisting other organisations and leaders to effectively plan for and drive personal and business growth. Jayne’s wide range of skills are honed in her corporate life and consultancy work with clients, ranging from Woolworths and HSBC to small business, industry associations and charities. She has distilled this knowledge to create a set of simple tools and processes delivered with a unique no-nonsense approach.

Jayne is currently undertaking a project to assist CCA member Boards of Directors and especially their Chairs. At the Conference, she will lead a workshop for member Board Directors, a unique opportunity to work closely with one of Australia’s top governance experts.

Rob

Board Chair, HumanAbility

Rob Bonner retired from his position as the Executive Director of Operations for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) in 2024. Since retirement he has served as the Interim CEO then Board Chair of HumanAbility Inc.

Rob has extensive knowledge and experience of the Health and Aged Care sectors along with the VET and Higher Education systems. He has served on a number of VET related committees and bodies such as the Australian Industry & Skills Committee, providing advice to State, Territory and Australian governments on training packages and served as a member of the SA Training & Skills Commission. He has established and managed Industry RTO’s which have delivered qualifications in related industry sectors.

His contribution to the VET and Skills system was recognised by receipt of the “Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector Award” in the National Training  Awards, 2022. His commitment to the advancement of healthcare and community services is evident through his role in the establishment of institutions like the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre at the University of South Australia and the Rosemary Bryant AO (Research) Foundation. In 2024 the ANMF SA established clinical scholarships in his name directed towards supporting innovation in practice.

Rob is also a Director of the HESTA Superannuation Fund Board and of the Advisory Board of the National Careers Institute.

Dan

Technology Strategist, Microsoft

Dan was a teacher for 10 years and a school inspector in London.  He has also worked with the police and armed forces on their education programmes. He has been in Australia working at WSU and for 10 years with Microsoft in various education roles. He is also a host of the ai in education podcast and a luthier in his spare time!

Dr Michelle

Current recipient of a Paul Ramsay Fellowship, Industry Professor, University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion

Michele is a current recipient of a Paul Ramsay Fellowship and is based at the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion as an Industry Professor. Michele is an educator and public administrator who has held numerous senior public service positions. In these roles she has demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge and significant expertise in delivering operational and strategic outcomes across the education and training sectors. She is a former Commonwealth Secretary (2016-2023) holding responsibility for education, skills, employment and training during this period of time, has been Director-General, NSW Department of Education and Communities (2011-2016) and Chief Executive, Education and Training in the ACT (2005-2008). She also serves as the Chair, OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board and recently commenced as Chair for the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

Theresa

CEO, Macquarie Community College

Theresa believes in the empowering force of education and life-long learning as a catalyst for creating better futures.

Theresa is approaching her 10^th anniversary as the CEO of Macquarie Community College. She has with more than 30 years of local and international not-for- profit education experience, including TAFE National Scholarships Foundation; The Smith Family; AFS Student Exchange Australia; AFS-USA; Securities Institute of Australia; and Australian Graduate School of Management. She has also worked in for profit consulting, retail and FMCG companies.

Theresa has extensive experience in not-for-profit Governance, including as a director of the MCC Group Boards, more than 6 years of service on the CCA Board and more than 10 years as a Director of SDN Children’s Services. Theresa has a Masters of Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing), is a Graduate of the AICD, and has completed a Diploma of Financial Markets.

Laura

Chief Executive Officer Australian Operations, Tender Loving Care

Rooted in a people-centric approach, Laura is a dynamic leader driven by purpose and a commitment to making a difference. An award-winning Leader, and community advocate, she has a proven track record of achieving exceptional business results and fostering high-performance teams. Laura’s leadership journey is driven by a purpose to give back and make a significant impact. As CEO of Tender Loving Care Australia and President of the Sutherland Shire Football Association, she strives to promote inclusive growth and community engagement. Outside of professional pursuits, she is deeply involved in her local community, advocating for causes she believes in and providing steadfast support. Laura holds multiple positions across various boards and committees including Director of Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune Albright Syndrome Australia. She is the host of a radio show on 99.7 2SSR and podcast called ‘Amplify with Laura Cowell’. As a testament to her commitment to civic service, Laura was honoured as Local Woman of the Year in 2022 and 2024. Elected to the Sutherland Shire Council in 2021, She is dedicated to ensuring the community remains connected and safe, enabling residents of all ages to lead an active lifestyle. From local community issues to global challenges, the scope of her focus spans wide.

Dr Deniese

Online Education Researcher and Professional Development Provider, TeachingOnline.com.au

Dr Deniese Cox is known as the go-to source for exceptional online teaching strategies that really are effective. Every research-driven strategy presented by Deniese has been extensively trialled, refined, and proven to work in a variety of VET settings by diverse educators and learners. With extensive hands-on experience of her own in the online VET and workplace training space, a Masters in online L&D, and a PhD in online VET, Deniese is ideally placed to cut through the noise around teaching online. Her award-winning research is what enables Deniese to continuously share up-to-date insights, and its her commitment to developing practical strategies that makes her one of the highest rated speakers at conferences and events around Australia.

Dr Barbara

Director, Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation Program, University of Technology Sydney

Barbara is the Director of the CISI (Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation) program at the internationally awarded TD School, University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

A renaissance woman with an extensive creative and educational portfolio ranging across psychology, neuroscience, sociology, urban planning, design and the arts. Barbara brings to life nuanced ‘aha’ understandings of creativity and her expertise is sought at the cutting edge of arts, science and innovation. She works with globally acclaimed institutions and projects including Australia’s leading performing arts conservatoire NIDA and SPHERE – a frontier health program. Barbara’s recent book ‘Creative Reboot. Catalysing Creative Intelligence’ offers a practical set of creative tools that are valued by people looking to grow creative confidence. Barbara ignites the vital power of creativity.

Claire

Principal, Claire Field and Associates

Claire is the Principal of Claire Field and Associates, an independent consulting practice offering advice across VET, international education, higher education and GenAI/EdTech issues.

Claire previously held senior positions in the NSW and Australian governments, as well as in TAFE NSW and Mission Australia. She also served as the CEO of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training.

Claire is a member of the Australian government’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Advisory Group and in 2023 was awarded the International Education Association of Australia’ (IEAA) Excellence in Professional Commentary Award. Claire is the host of the ‘What now? What next? Insights into Australia’s tertiary education sector’ podcast, and is undertaking a PhD at Torrens University writing the history of the university’s first 10 years.

Tracy

Research Librarian, Knowledge Management Branch, National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)

Tracy Gamlin is a Research Librarian at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). She holds a master’s degree in information studies from the University of South Australia and is an Associate Member of the Australian Library and Information Association with Certified Practitioner status. Tracy has extensive knowledge and expertise in information management and has worked on key projects to support the development and enhancement of VOCEDplus during her 17 years at NCVER. She is an experienced presenter of workshops, webinars, and information sessions and is passionate about raising awareness of VOCEDplus!

Professor Barney

Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia

Professor Barney Glover, AO, began his five-year term as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia on 15 April 2024.

Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. He is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities.

He was Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University for ten years, from 2014-24, and in 2019 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, professional associations and cultural organisations. In 2015, Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013.

Professor Glover previously held the roles of: Chair of Universities Australia (2015-2017); Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at the University of Newcastle; and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development at Curtin University.

Professor Glover is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE), a Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW (FRSN), and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).

He has served on the boards of a diverse range of corporate organisations and several state and national centres covering areas such as health and medical research, energy, mineral exploration, and telecommunications.

Steven

General Manager Projects, Powering Skills Organisation

With over 34 years in the electrotechnology industry, Steve’s experiences as an electrician, contractor, business owner and manager across industry and the vocational education and training sector inform his holistic approach to educating the energy workforce.

His current role with the Jobs and Skills Council for the energy sector, Powering Skills Organisation, builds on his work with the Industry Skills Council and Skills Services Organisations. From his lived experience as an apprentice, to his rewarding career in RTO management, his lifelong learning journey is not only something he embraces but drives him to extend those same opportunities to the future generation of energy workers.

Glen

Director, Darlo Drama

Glen has a long history in teaching, education management and the performing arts industry. In the performing arts industry, Glen has worked as an actor, director and creator of new works across a range of theatre and screen productions. He has served on various industry panels and advisory groups, and serves as Industry Judge for the TV Week Logie Awards, in the most outstanding actor category. In education Glen has been in teaching and leadership positions in the Community, Vocational and Higher Education sectors for more than twenty years. He has served as Course Director of Acting at the Academy of Film, Theatre and Television (AFTT) in Sydney and the National Head of Acting at the JMC Academy in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane where he led the development of their Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting) program. He is also Owner & Director of Darlo Drama, a community acting school for adult beginners. It is through his work at Darlo Drama where he has been particularly focussed on how the skills of acting can benefit adults in their personal and professional lives. Glen is an advocate for the value of acting training to build confidence, to improve life and business skills, and he celebrates the value of adults of all ages re-engaging with creative education opportunities in the performing arts.

Laurie

Master Trainer, Brain Friendly Training

He is one of Australia’s Master trainers, having built a reputation since 1992 on delivering ‘Skills-based’ Professional Training for Adult educators in how to deliver content so Learners learn and the Learning Sticks.

He brings with him an enormous variety of life and corporate experience, working with groups as varied as QFES, Government Departments, The Banking Ombudsman’s Office, Jockeys, H.R. Managers, CEO’s, Railway Gangers, Students, and Nursing Educators, Medical Consultants and Registrars from some major Australian Hospitals as well as educators in Major and smaller RTOs across Australia and the Pacific.

Laurie promises to ‘walk the talk’.  No fluff – just practical skills. Expect to experience the principles of Brain-Friendly Training in practice and see how it works for you.

These are the skills of delivery that trainers need, and student so desperately seek.

Stephen

NLP Trainer & Co-Founder, Rewrite Your Story Podcast

Stephen Licciardello is a seasoned NLP trainer and the co-founder of Rewrite Your Story Podcast, dedicated to facilitating personal transformation and growth. With over two decades of experience in the education sector, Stephen has been instrumental in the success of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) since 2004. Specialising in CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students), Stephen is currently the RTO Manager at SGSCC (St. George & Sutherland Community College). His expertise in educational management and passion for empowering individuals with the use of NLP has made him a sought-after speaker and mentor in the field. Through his coaching services and NLP training, Stephen guides clients to overcome limitations, tap into their potential, and craft fulfilling life narratives.

Jo

President, Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL)

Jo has been involved in adult literacy and numeracy for three decades. She is President of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL), and a member of both the Reading Writing Hotline Steering Committee and the National Foundation Skills Advisory Group. Her current work includes teaching at university, delivering professional development, and developing curriculum, frameworks and resources to support learning.

With a focus on literacy demands in the community, Jo advocates for plain language and reader-friendly approaches to communicating written information. In 2021 and 2022 she consulted and taught on the SBS-TV series Lost for Words seasons 1 & 2, which raised public awareness of adult literacy in Australia and highlighted the effectiveness of tailoring teaching to individual needs.

Jo loves to read and her passion for adult literacy is based on a belief that the world would be a better place if we could all put up our feet, read a good book, and escape into another world for a while.

Kevin

Founder and Director, Waterfield

Kevin Nuttall is the Founder and Managing Director of Waterfield. Kevin’s vision for Waterfield is to achieve outstanding outcomes for organisations by harnessing the collective knowledge and intelligence of its stakeholders. Kevin’s career has been focused on championing facilitation as an approach to helping organisations survive and thrive through change. He has facilitated thousands of groups across many sectors and has built an experience base that brings a broad perspective to clients’ issues.

Kevin Nuttall, an internationally respected strategy facilitator, brings over 30 years of experience to the table. His primary focus is working with boards and senior teams, guiding them in the development and implementation of effective organisational strategies.

Kevin has worked across the globe in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. His philosophy is that people own what they create and will work with passion towards a shared goal. He designs and facilitates processes to allow this collective knowledge to be shared and implemented.

His clients include Government entities, the top 250 companies, and organisations across many sectors, including retail, construction, property, recruitment, finance, industry associations, and medical research.

Kevin’s expertise lies in enabling people to leverage their collective intelligence and knowledge, leading to the creation of valuable and tangible consensus, action points, and subsequent success. He has a proven track record of helping organisations navigate change and focus their executives on well-developed strategies.

Matt

CEO, The Learning Resources Group

Matt is an experienced and business-focused CEO specialising in enhancing organisational performance through strategic implementation. Over the past 15 years, he has consulted with Training Organisations, TAFE, and Colleges, focusing on improving student support, maintaining relevance, and increasing student/client engagement. His expertise includes developing unique marketing strategies, designing organisation processes and helping institutions navigate sector changes.

As the CEO, Matt leads initiatives to foster innovation, efficiency, and compliance, aligning with the latest industry standards, including the Australian Digital Capability Framework, the Australian Core Skills Framework and the Standards for RTOs. His business focus emphasises Foundation Skills in Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability, aiming to uplift student capabilities across the vocational education and training sector.

Wendy

Managing Director, Workforce BluePrint

Wendy Perry is the Managing Director of Workforce BluePrint, Facilitator for Sea to Valley Startups, and for 4.5 years (2019-2023) was the Entrepreneur Facilitator for Adelaide – West, Switch Start Scale. Wendy is an author, entrepreneur & educator, explorer & innovator, mentor & speaker on Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Strategic Workforce Planning & Development, Vocational Education & Training (VET) & TVET, International Capability & Capacity Development. Mentoring & facilitation are strengths with Wendy working alongside entrepreneurs, founders, governments, individuals, industry sectors, organisations, regional development agencies, startups, scaleups, students & unicorn companies. Wendy has a reputation as a leading authority on Workforce Planning & Development & Vocational Education & Training (VET).

Described as an inspiration by her colleagues, Wendy works across Education and Training including VET/Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET), Employment and Entrepreneurship, 21st Century Capabilities and Future Jobs, Workforce Planning and Development for Employers and Industry, Regions and Countries. Wendy is a Past Industry Skills Council member for Creative Industries, Business and Digital Platforms, as well as ambassador for the City of Adelaide International Promoters Program, judge for the South Australian Premier’s Business and Export Awards, City of Charles Sturt Business Awards and the Switch Start Scale Awards.

Wendy has developed, designed and implemented systems for workforce planning and development, entrepreneurship and education throughout her career, working across all Australian states and territories, and international connections.

Larry

Director of Stakeholder Engagement, HumanAbility

Larry joined HumanAbility in October 2023 having previously worked as an engagement specialist and program manager across vocational education and training (including community education), school education and environment sectors.

Ross

Director of Engagement and Growth, Future Skills Organisation

Ross Raeburn joined the Digital Skills Organisation in October 2020 as Chief Customer Officer, responsible for orchestrating active communities across industry, training providers, state and commonwealth government. Prior to the DSO, Ross built, led and sold digital businesses in Australia, grappling first hand with the scarcity of digital skills and the challenges of developing a diverse digital workforce.

After 20 years leading digital businesses in Australia, experiencing firsthand the challenges faced by employers attracting, developing, and retaining a competitive and diverse skilled workforce, Ross now leads the Engagement & Growth function within the Future Skills Organisation. Designing and delivering stewardship across industry, government, unions, and training providers across the FSO program of work.

Dale

Director, Latitude Network

Dale Renner is an experienced consultant in strategy, data analytics and social impact having led projects across industries such as energy, finance, education, health, tourism and social services. He is driven to change how the sector uses evidence and modern data tools to improve people’s lives. He is Director of latitude.network, a data analytics firm focused on social impact, and leads the ACE data collaboration project partnering with CCA.

Saxon

CEO, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)

Saxon Rice has extensive experience across the VET and employment services sectors as well as the public policy process. Ms Rice previously held a range of senior government, VET and management positions. She was Assistant Minister for Technical and Further Education in the former Queensland Government from 2012 to 2015, and Chair of the then Ministerial Industry Commission responsible for industry engagement.

Ms Rice is a former Director of Global Business Development for an Australian employment services company and was responsible for significant growth into new countries in the European and Asian markets. Ms Rice has also served in a range of Senate Committee Secretariats, including as Acting Secretary and Principal Research Officer to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. More recently, she was a Member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal from 2016 to 2018 and is a Member and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ms Rice commenced as a Commissioner of ASQA on 16 April 2018, before being appointed as Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (initially Acting) on 7 October 2019. With effect from 1 January 2021, Ms Rice was appointed the National VET Regulator and Chief Executive Officer for a period of five years.

Professor Briony Rogers

Monash Sustainable Development Institute, CEO Fire to Flourish

Briony Rogers is a Professor at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI), where she is the CEO of Fire to Flourish and Director of MSDI Water.

As CEO of Fire to Flourish, a community disaster resilience program, Briony leads a transdisciplinary team of community members, researchers and practitioners to advance community-led disaster resilience through a focus on strengthening community leadership, capabilities and social capital. The program has a particular emphasis on addressing cycles of disadvantage and systemic inequities in communities affected by bushfire.

Briony’s research career is focused on strengthening the capabilities and pathways for communities and practitioners to influence institutional, policy and regulatory conditions for thriving futures. She is interested in how transformative change can be catalysed and governed, with emphasis on collaborative processes and tools that support change in policy and practice. Through this lens, Briony has worked with cities and communities across Australia and internationally in action research settings to develop strategic guidance and practical support for pursuing visions of sustainable and resilient futures.

Briony has a PhD in Environmental Sociology, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science, and a background in engineering consulting. This has given her deep experience of interdisciplinary research and practice to drive system change.

Cara

A/g Assistant Secretary, Foundation Skills Branch, DEWR

Cara has nearly 30 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service. Since starting her career in the Australian Bureau of Statistics, for the last 20 years she has worked across the Education and Skills portfolios on a wide range of reforms, including improving the quality of career advice to students, supporting apprentice wellbeing, improving training and assessment quality, supporting the VET workforce, and reforms to streamline the VET qualification framework. More recently Cara has engaged closely in the VET regulatory space, leading reforms to the national regulator, as well as developing the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2025. Cara is currently Assistant Secretary of the Foundation Skills Branch and is responsible for delivering a range of policies and programs which build the capacity, and long-term resilience, of individuals through supporting the core language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills (also known as foundation skills) necessary for people to participate in work, life, and community.

Chemène

Learning Specialist & Conference Chair

Chemène is an industry leader in education and performance, drawing on her broad experience as an Olympic athlete, national-level sports coach and coach mentor, schoolteacher, and adult educator to inform her work. She mentors and supports experienced facilitators and assessors with their ongoing professional development and is a regular speaker at conferences and special events. Chemène specialises in TAE qualifications and has written TAE materials used by organisations throughout Australia.

Simon

Head of Delivery Team, Huber Social

Simon Vaughan is the Head of Delivery Team at Huber Social where he leads a team who deliver social impact measurement projects across many sectors, ranging from disability services, to international development to education. Prior to this, he worked as a fundraiser in international development for over a decade across a broad swathe of fundraising areas, raising millions for the organisations he worked for. He is also a theatre maker and has created and performed works for, among others, Sydney Festival, Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and Malthouse Theatre.

Vera

Specialist in NFP and property law, Mills Oakley

Vera has over 30 years’ experience in acting for numerous charities, religious and not-for-profit organisations. Vera provides a full suite of commercial services to not-for-profit clients, including protecting commercial arrangements through drafting services agreements, privacy policies, internal policies and procedures, and reviewing grant and other government agreements.

Vera is a sought-after speaker throughout Australia. In the last year she has presented at the Better Boards Conference, and Legalwise and TENS seminars on not-for-profits. She has also authored a chapter within Charity Global Guide (2018), published by Thomson Reuters, and has authored a paper on lessons not-for-profits should learn from the recent Royal Commissions, published by Pro Bono Australia

Stan

Chief Executive Officer, Lifeguarding Services Australia

Stan Wall is a leader in aquatic-based risk management and risk-based assessments. For over 30 years he has been a professional lifeguard and worked throughout Australia, Pacific Islands, Middle East, Asia and Europe. He has managed or been a key stakeholder in the risk management of over 4,000 major and international events, including the logistic coordination and operations management of the Sydney Aquatic Centre during the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Water Safety Coordinator for the World Masters and ITU World Triathlon Series. In addition to his aquatic risk background, he spent 18 years as a qualified emergency rescue paramedic officer with extensive water rescue, aviation and technical rescue experience.

For the past 10 years he has maintained a role as a senior board member of the Aquatic & Recreation Institute. In his current role as Chief Executive Officer of the LSA group of Companies, he is responsible for the strategic planning, governance, ISO certification, leadership and operational logistics for various government, local council and private facilities and events.

Stan is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia and holds both Fellow and Life Member status with the Aquatic & Recreation Institute. Over the course of his career he has been awarded the Emergency Services Long Service Medal, the National Medal of Australia as well as numerous awards of service and merit for services to the aquatic industry.

The Hon. Steve

NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

Steve Whan was re-elected as Member for Monaro at the 2023 election after eight years out of politics.  Steve was member for Monaro between 2003 and 2011, and a Member of the NSW Legislative Council from 2011 to 2015.  From 2009 to 2011 he was a NSW Minister with portfolios including Primary Industries, Emergency Services and Rural Affairs.

In September 2023 Steve was appointed as the Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education in the Minns Labor Government. His priorities in this role include restoring TAFE to the heart of vocational education in New South Wales, and delivering a skills sector which is responsive to the jobs of the future.

During his eight years out of politics Steve was CEO of the National Irrigators Council, a board member for Murrumbidgee Irrigation and ClubPlus Superannuation, and he worked for the Australian Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism council.  He played a lead role in the Agriculture Energy Taskforce bringing together farming groups from around the eastern states, and on an advisory committee for WaterTrust Australia.

Steve and his wife Cherie have a long association with the Monaro region, with his father Bob Whan having served as Member for Eden-Monaro. They have lived in Queanbeyan for 26 years, with their children having gone to the local primary and high school.  Steve rides a mountain bike, bikepacks, swims, skis, plays water polo and tennis as well as being a keen native plant gardener.

He is a life member of ACT Water Polo and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Yasser

Founder and Chairman, Tender Loving Care

Founder and Chairman at Tender Loving Care, where we are pioneering paths in multiple sectors, from technology to healthcare. Like the early days of Virgin Group, TLC started with a vision to integrate and innovate across various industries, creating cohesive solutions that drive societal and economic growth.

From Yasser’s beginnings as an advocate for eliminating exclusion, he has always been committed to using business as a tool for positive change. This commitment is exemplified by his international speaking engagements, where he shares insights on topics such as “Scaling Business with Heart.” Yasser’s approach has always been about more than just business—it’s about building a legacy of impact.

Under Yasser’s leadership, TLC has ventured into new markets, achieving remarkable growth, and transforming into a leader in its field. This success stems from a strategic emphasis on enhancing both customer and employee experiences, fundamentally shaping the company’s direction and ethos.

With extensive experience in managing complex operations and a vast professional network that spans continents, Yasser has also contributed to high-level government committees and key industry events. His ability to forge strong relationships has been crucial in these roles.

Beyond the boardroom, Yasser serves on the boards of non-profits focused on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Yasser’s efforts have been recognised globally, culminating in awarded finalist in the CEO Magazines CEO of the Year 2023 and awarded the prestigious APAC CEO of the Year Award in 2023 & 2024.

At Yasser’s core, he is an entrepreneur driven by the desire to make a difference. Much of his time is dedicated to building businesses that not only prosper but also contribute positively to the world. Yasser’s passion for change is paralleled by his involvement in initiatives that address global challenges—continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in business and philanthropy.

Dr Don

University Fellow, Charles Darwin University

Dr Don Zoellner has worked in the school, vocational and higher education sectors in the Northern Territory since 1973 including senior leadership roles at Centralian College and Charles Darwin University. He was a panel member of the Shergold Review of Senior Secondary Pathways. Dr Zoellner has served on numerous advisory committees, reviews and evaluations of education and training at NT and national levels. He was the board chair of Group Training NT and is the independent chair of the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT board. He was the NT representative on the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and is a member of the National VET Regulator Advisory Council. Dr Zoellner independently researches, presents and publishes on the development and implementation of VET policy.