Conference Speakers | MacKillop Institute

Speakers

Meet our Thought Leaders, Speakers & Panellists Shaping the Future of Safety and Wellbeing

The Lead the Way Conference 2025 features a distinguished line-up of thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners from across education, community services, mental health, and child safety.

Our speakers will share evidence-based insights, cutting-edge strategies, and real-world best practices to help create safer, more trauma-informed, and resilient communities.

Why This Matters

This Conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with renowned global leaders in trauma-informed education, mental health, and child safety. Through expert-led sessions, attendees will gain first-hand insights into cutting-edge research and innovative approaches to enhancing wellbeing and resilience in schools, community organisations, and workplaces.

The conference provides practical, evidence-based strategiesthat professionals can immediately apply to their work, fostering collaboration across sectors to create holistic and sustainable change.

By bringing together professionals from education, mental health, and child protection, the conference promotes multidisciplinary perspectives that enhance problem-solving and cross-sector learning. Real-world case studies will showcase how policy changes, research, and innovative practices are already transforming outcomes in education, workplace wellbeing, and child protection.

Panel Discussions & Industry Insights

In addition to keynote sessions, attendees will have access to expert-led panel discussions that delve into practical challenges and solutions across key sectors. These sessions will feature leading professionals sharing insights on student wellbeing, workforce resilience, and system-wide reform.

School & Education Leaders: Strategies for enhancing student wellbeing, strengthening teacher resilience, and fostering leadership transformation.
Mental Health Experts: Evidence-based approaches to workplace wellbeing, trauma-informed care, and burnout prevention.
Child Safety & Protection Specialists: Policy insights and safeguarding frameworks to strengthen child protection systems and improve organisational safety.

These discussions will allow attendees to engage with sector leaders, exchange ideas, and gain practical strategies to drive meaningful and lasting change in their respective fields.

Keynote Speakers

Our internationally recognised keynote speakers will challenge perspectives, inspire change, and share groundbreaking approaches to transforming wellbeing, leadership, and organisational culture.

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Speaker details will be updated as session dates and times are confirmed

Speaker	Name	Biography
	Dr Robyn Miller AM Chief Executive Officer MacKillop Family Services	Robyn is the Chief Executive Officer of MacKillop Family Services. She is passionate about social justice and the rights of children and families. As a social worker and family therapist, Robyn has over thirty years' experience in the child and welfare sector. Robyn is committed to training and supportive supervision for colleagues to provide best practice to the children and families we serve. When not traveling to MacKillop programs all over Australia, Robyn delights in her own five children and three beautiful grandchildren.
	Professor Pasi Sahlberg Professor of Educational Leadership University of Melbourne	Pasi Sahlberg is a renowned Finnish educator, researcher, and author, recognised for his contributions to global education reform. With a career spanning teaching, teacher education, policymaking, and academia, he has influenced education systems worldwide. He has served in key roles, including Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank (Washington, DC), Lead Education Specialist at the European Training Foundation (Italy), and Director General at Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture (CIMO). Additionally, he was a Visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard University. Pasi is currently Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Melbourne, where he continues to advocate for evidence-based education policies.
	Professor Leah Bromfield Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection University of South Australia	Professor Leah Bromfield is a leading authority in child protection and a distinguished academic, currently serving as Chair of Child Protection and Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. Recognised for her groundbreaking contributions to child safety reform, she was named 2025 South Australian Australian of the Year. She also holds several influential advisory roles, including Chair of the SA Child Protection Expert Group, Chair of the Tas Uplifting Care Independent Expert Group, and Co-Chair of the National Advisory Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Child Sexual Abuse.
	Dr Ross Greene Clinical Psychologist Founder of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions	Dr. Ross Greene is the originator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, a groundbreaking approach to supporting children with behavioural challenges. He spent over 20 years on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and is now the founding director of Lives in the Balance, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing free, web-based resources on the CPS model to educators, parents, and clinicians worldwide. A highly sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Greene has advised schools, mental health organisations, and policymakers across the globe. His work has been widely featured in major media outlets, including The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, National Public Radio (NPR), The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and The Boston Globe.
	Professor Anne Graham AO Director of the Centre for Children and Young People Southern Cross University	Professor Anne Graham AO is the Founding Director of the Centre for Children and Young People (CCYP) and a conjoint Professor at the University of New South Wales. With a background as both a primary school teacher and sociologist, she has dedicated over 20 years to teacher education, shaping research and policy that improve the lives of children and young people. Under her leadership, CCYP has positioned Southern Cross University as a key player in regional, national, and international research on children's rights, social and emotional wellbeing, and ethical research involving young people. Her work has directly influenced policy and practice in education, child protection, and community services.

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Presenters and Panellists

Engage in insightful discussions, practical presentations and workshops from professionals leading research, policy, and implementation in trauma-informed education, child safety, mental health, and organisational change.

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Name	Biography	Session Topic/Overview
Jocelyn Bignold AM Chief Executive Officer McAuley Community Services for Women	Jocelyn Bignold AM has been the CEO of McAuley Community Services for Women since 2008, leading innovative support programs for women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness. She has over 25 years of experience in community services, policy development, and advocacy, working extensively with government and non-government organisations to improve policy and service systems. A recognised leader in her field, Jocelyn was an expert witness before the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for her contributions to social welfare and improving the lives of vulnerable women and children.	Embedding Safety and Dignity: A Systems Approach to Supporting Women and Children Experiencing Violence and Homelessness
Kano Ravalji CEO, Third Culture Australia Youth Commissioner, Victorian Multicultural Commission	Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji is the founder of Third Culture Australia and Youth Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission. As a passionate advocate for D&I, Kano works to empower young people and multicultural communities nationwide. Through keynotes, school programs, and policy-driven initiatives, he amplifies youth voices and fosters inclusive leadership. Kano recently hosted Australia’s first entirely youth-led conference, bringing together over 120 professionals to explore authentic youth engagement and wellbeing. His dedication to equity has earned him accolades such as the VicHealth Future Changemaker Award and Wyndham City’s Young Citizen of the Year. A regular voice on national radio and media, Kano shares insights on best practices, identity, and systemic change. Committed to supporting young people’s mental well-being by equipping young people and sector workers alike with the tools to navigate challenges, build resilience, and advocate for their needs in education, policy, and beyond.	Belonging, Cultural Identity & Mental Wellbeing: A Roadmap for Young People How to Build Inclusive Schools: Practical Stratgies for Fostering Student Wellbeing & Belonging.
David Burroughs Chief Mental Health Officer, Westpac Founder of Australian Psychological Services	Dave Burroughs is Founder of Australian Psychological Services and Chief Mental Health Officer for Westpac Group. With a 20-year international career as a consultant psychologist working across multiple industries, Dave is a recognised expert in Psychological Health & Safety and supports many leading government, national and international organisations in adopting strategic and practical approaches to psychosocial risk management and developing mentally healthy workplaces. Dave has a commitment to evidence-based practice, a reputation for tackling complex people matters and a passion for innovation and challenging convention.	Psychosocial Safety at Work: How Organisations Can Assist or Hinder Staff Wellbeing and Mental Health
Fiona McCallum General Manager MacKillop Seasons	Fiona brings extensive leadership experience across the fields of human resources, health, and education, having worked in both corporate and not-for-profit sectors. With formal qualifications in nursing and management, she is passionate about promoting the health and wellbeing of individuals across the lifespan. Fiona is dedicated to creating and sharing knowledge that empowers children, young people, and adults to thrive and reach their full potential.	Improving Wellbeing and Building Hope: Supporting Students through Natural Disasters with Stormbirds
Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM Founder Together for Humanity	Rabbi Kastel AM grew up in the ultra-orthodox Hasidic tradition in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where his worldview was shaped by his community’s traditions. His perspective shifted in 2001 through encounters with Christians and Muslims, inspiring a lifelong commitment to interfaith cooperation and promoting positive experiences of diversity for young Australians. Now based in Sydney, he continues to serve as a Hasidic Rabbi, teaching Bible study at Chabad House North Shore. Ordained after studies in the UK, Australia, and the US, he also holds a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of New England. In 2020, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to interfaith and intercultural understanding.	Building Bridges in Fractured Spaces: Intercultural Understanding as a Foundation for Safe and Inclusive Communities
Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion University of Melbourne	Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Education. With more than 25 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership across diverse contexts, Lisa has a longstanding commitment to promoting the inclusion of students with disability. She is internationally regarded for her expertise in school attendance and serves on the Executive Board of the International Network for School Attendance. Her research spans both the education and health sectors, and she leads the Faculty’s Disability Research Collaboration, guiding initiatives such as In2School—designed to support students with chronic absenteeism—and Pathways2Participation, which applies Multi-tiered Systems of Support to improve attendance outcomes. Lisa is actively engaged in global partnerships that focus on advancing inclusive education in regions such as India and Latin America. Her research is particularly concerned with how students with mental health challenges and disabilities experience exclusion in educational environments, and she is driven by a passion to address and transform these systemic barriers.	COMING SOON
Jahin Tanvir Chief Executive Officer Australian School of Entrepreneurship	Jahin Tanvir is the CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship (ASE), Australia’s largest innovation provider, and a 3-time TEDx speaker. Recognised as a 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian (2022) at just 21, he is a board director and a leading advocate for young people, diversity, and inclusion. A finalist for 2022 Young Australian of the Year and recipient of the 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year for Community Service, Jahin serves as a Board Director at the Adolescent Health Association of Australia, a UNICEF Young Ambassador, and a Movember Ambassador. At 21, he founded Breathe., an EdTech social enterprise providing public speaking education to marginalised young people. In just six months, it reached over 16,000 individuals before being acquired by ASE Group in November 2022, where Jahin was appointed CEO.	Equipping Young People for the Future: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Opportunity through Entrepreneurial Education
Dr Phil Lambert PSM Adjunct Professor University of Sydney & Nanjing Normal University	Dr Phil Lambert PSM is an internationally acclaimed education expert. He has extensive experience in education as a principal; inspector; Regional Director (Sydney) and General Manager of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority where he led the development of Australia’s first national curriculum. Phil is Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney and supports education reform efforts globally as expert advisor and researcher for the OECD, UNESCO and the World Bank. He has been engaged by education ministries in several countries including Japan, The Netherlands, Qatar, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Kuwait, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania and Vietnam to guide and support their respective reforms. He is a Director on the board of Brazil’s Instituto Reuna and an International Ambassador for the United Kingdom’s National College. Phil contributes to the community in various ways. He is Chair (previously CEO) of Together For Humanity, the Attorney General’s appointee on the NSW Children’s Court Advisory Committee, the Minister of Education’s independent appointee on the Non-Government School Not-For-Profit statutory advisory committee and was recently appointed as a member of the NSW Parliament’s Education Advisory Group. He served from 2013-2023 as the inaugural Deputy Chair of Our Watch.	Contemporary Leadership for the Human Professions: Safe Harbours or Turbulent Seas?
Associate Professor Tim Moore Associate Professor Deputy Director - Institute of Child Protection Studies Australian Catholic University (ACU)	Associate Professor Tim Moore serves as Deputy Director at the Institute of Child Protection Studies and is widely regarded as an international expert in child and youth research and advocacy for children's rights. With over 20 years of experience, his work has addressed a broad range of critical issues including homelessness, youth justice, child protection, residential out-of-home care, young carers, and strategies for preventing child sexual abuse. Tim has contributed expert advice to numerous major inquiries and Commissions, most notably the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and has played a pivotal role in shaping initiatives at local, national, and international levels aimed at improving outcomes for children, young people, and their families. At the Institute, Tim leads the development and delivery of research and practice that meaningfully includes the voices and perspectives of children and young people. His work focuses on making services and systems more responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the rights and lived experiences of those they serve.	COMING SOON
Annette Schneider Chief Executive Officer Together for Huamnity	Annette brings more than two decades of experience in educational leadership, both in Australia and internationally. She began her professional journey in the classroom as a teacher before moving into leadership and values-driven education roles with organisations such as the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, UNICEF, the Council of Europe Youth Directorate, and Amnesty International. After many years working in Europe, Annette returned to Australia where she taught in a range of school settings across Sydney, eventually joining the team at Together For Humanity. She holds a Master’s degree in Intercultural Education and a double Bachelor’s degree in Education and Arts (International Studies). Having lived and worked in diverse communities across the globe—and drawing on her own multicultural heritage—Annette brings rich lived experience to her commitment to intercultural understanding and inclusive education. At home, she is kept grounded and inspired by her three children, each of whom reminds her daily of the importance of striving for a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are treated with dignity and respect.	Panel: Cultivating Cultural Responsiveness: Supporting Belonging and Inclusion for Young People
Louise Hall National and International Partnerships Lead MacKillop Seasons	Louise’s enthusiasm for the transformative power of group work has shaped her professional journey and led her to her current role. With a foundation in social work and early childhood education, she has worked across both statutory and not-for-profit sectors, specialising in family wellbeing and support services. Louise finds fulfilment in cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders and expanding the impact of community-based initiatives. Outside of work, she embraces the dynamic experience of raising teenagers, finding joy in the growth and change that family life brings.	Building Capacity to Support the Grief Experiences of Children & Young People Living in Out-Of-Home Care
Smeeta Singh National Program Director Power to Kids and Power to Kids in Schools	With an MA in Education Policy, Smeeta is passionate about social justice in education and the impact of intergenerational outcomes on student transitions, engagement and achievement. Nearing 20 years in the education sector, Smeeta has worked across a variety of roles that focus on empowering young people through education, including school improvement, teacher training and child wellbeing. Through senior leadership roles at AVID Australia, The Smith Family and The Orange Door, Smeeta has led the rollout of trauma-informed practice and systems-based change across school, family violence and community services sectors. She brings a deep understanding of place-based implementation within national and state contexts, and experience harnessing the voice of communities and young people to inform meaningful change.	Empowering Educators to Have Brave Conversations: Power to Kids in Schools and the Role of Staff in Safeguarding Children
Dr John Molineux Senior Lecturer Deakin Business School Deakin University	Dr John Molineux is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management at Deakin Business School, where he has been based since 2012 following a distinguished career spanning over three decades in human resource management (HRM) across various industry sectors. He currently teaches postgraduate courses in HRM and leadership and maintains a strong focus on applied, industry-engaged research. His primary research interests include human performance, wellbeing, strategic HRM, organisational change, and action research. John has led several industry-funded research projects in recent years, particularly those examining the intersection of workforce wellbeing and organisational outcomes. He has successfully supervised six PhD candidates and one Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidate to completion and is currently supervising another doctoral student. Before entering academia, John held senior HR positions, including HR Director and Strategist, in multiple organisations. His doctoral research, completed in 2005, explored systemic approaches to strategic HRM and contributed to significant organisational culture transformation within his fieldwork context.	COMING SOON
Allison Wainwright Chief Executive Officer Family Life	Allison has over 20 years of social work experience across government and non-profit sectors, holding senior leadership roles in community change, family violence, and child and family services in Australia and internationally. She specialises in trauma-informed interventions and family-sensitive practice, designing programs in crisis services, residential care, child protection, and community-based models. Her international work includes leading collective impact and primary prevention initiatives, particularly in HIV/AIDS prevention, family violence, and sexual health. From 2005 to 2011, Allison served as State Director for Integrated Services for Women and Children in South Africa, driving government reforms to support victims of crime and violence.	Healing Organisational Systems: From Trauma-Affected to Trauma-Informed Systems
Dr Gemma McKibbin Senior Research Fellow - Social Work University of Melbourne	Dr. Gemma McKibbin is a Research Fellow in the Department of Social Work at the University of Melbourne, working with Prof. Cathy Humphreys in the Violence Against Women and Children Research Team. With a background in gender studies and experience in the women’s sector, her PhD research focused on preventing harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people. A scholar with the Safer Families Centre for Research Excellence, Dr. McKibbin is the Chief Investigator on action research projects in partnership with MacKillop Family Services and Jesuit Social Services. She recently led a co-designed sexual abuse prevention program for children in residential and home-based care.	Responding to Harm, Building Safety: Co-Designed Prevention Strategies for Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Child and Youth Services
Dr Beau Hu National School Partnerships Manager Together for Humanity	Dr. Beau Hu is the National School Partnerships Manager at TFH, where he leads the Intercultural Understanding Partnership Program, supporting schools in addressing cross-cultural challenges. Passionate about equipping young people and educators with essential skills, he brings extensive experience in education program management, research, and language teaching. Before joining TFH, Beau was the Education Programs Coordinator at the Asia Education Foundation, University of Melbourne. He authored the Environment Scan of Intercultural Understanding (2020-2022) for South Australia’s Department of Education and led research for Victoria’s Sister School Partnerships review.	Panel: Cultivating Cultural Responsiveness: Supporting Belonging and Inclusion for Young People
Justin Roberts National Program Director ReLATE (Reframing Teaching & Learning Environments)	Justin is a nationally recognised leader in inclusive education, drawing on more than 15 years of experience as a teacher and educational leader in both mainstream and specialist school settings. His early career in mainstream education fuelled a deep commitment to creating learning environments that respond to the diverse needs of all students. He has held senior leadership roles, including Principal and Deputy Executive Principal, and has consistently championed approaches that prioritise student wellbeing and equitable access to education. In 2024, Justin was named one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators in recognition of his significant contributions to the field.	Safe and Well Schools: Practical Insights from 3000 Educators on Reducing Burnout, Increasing Wellbeing and Enhancing Engagement
Dr Trixie James Lecturer, School of Access Education CQUniversity	Dr Trixie James is a lecturer and researcher in the STEPS enabling program at CQUniversity, where she is deeply committed to fostering positive educational experiences for adult learners. Her work centres on supporting students who often return to study after extended absences and may carry the burden of past negative educational experiences. With a strong belief in the transformative power of education, Dr James employs innovative, student-centred approaches that help learners rebuild confidence, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop strategies for academic success. Dr James completed her PhD at the University of Tasmania and has since led numerous research projects focused on the engagement and success of under-represented adult learners in tertiary education. Her areas of expertise include student engagement, quality teaching practices, social innovation, generative AI, and positive psychology.	Designing for Wellbeing: Building Resilience and Positive Psychology in Adult and Adolescent Learners
Keeva Mostyn Seasons for Life Lead MacKillop Seasons	Keeva brings a rich background in both Creative Arts and Social Work, with professional experience spanning the health, community, and education sectors. Since 2010, her work has been dedicated to the education field, where she has collaborated with primary and secondary schools across all sectors. Keeva is deeply passionate about supporting children and young people, as well as the adults who care for and work alongside them. Her approach encompasses both individual support and system-level initiatives, reflecting a commitment to fostering inclusive, responsive, and holistic educational environments.	Building Emotional and Grief Literacy: Supporting Whole-of-School Communities Following a Suicide or Other Loss Event
Simangaliso Nyoni National Multicultural Practice Lead MacKillop Family Services	Simangaliso is a Social Worker and Counsellor with over 16 years of experience, currently serving as a Cultural Practice Lead at the national level. Specialising in multicultural communities, she works to embed culturally responsive best practices across services and policies. Previously, she was Principal Practitioner and Cultural Advisor Coordinator at MacKillop Family Services and a Counsellor at Deakin University. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Counselling from La Trobe University and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor at Monash University. A passionate advocate for decolonising social work and counselling, Simangaliso co-authored a chapter in Intersecting Stories: Narrative Therapy Reflections on Gender, Culture and Justice.	Panel: Cultivating Cultural Responsiveness: Supporting Belonging and Inclusion for Young People
Josh Darby Project Lead - Whanaungatanga Fire and Emergency New Zealand	Josh Darby is a Senior Firefighter and Project Lead of the Whanaungatanga Programme. With over 20 years of frontline experience, he brings a unique blend of operational, research, and lived experience to his presentations. A peer supporter and health researcher, Josh received the 2017 Firefighters Scholarship for his research examining suicide and psychological injury in Fire and Emergency. In 2021, he secured Movember funding to develop and evaluate a mental ill-health and suicide prevention programme. His work on this programme earned him the Mental Health Champion of the Year award at the New Zealand Health and Safety Awards.	The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to Mental Ill Health Prevention in Emergency Workforces
Dr Nikki Jamieson Suicide Prevention Lead Department of Defence & Founder of Moral Injury Australia	Dr Nikki Jamieson is an Author, Suicidologist, Social Worker and Researcher & has undertaken pioneering research on moral injury in Australia following the suicide loss of her son in 2014. Published nationally and internationally on moral injury Nikki also delivers keynotes and workshops and written two books and micro-education app on moral injury for first responders and their families. Nikki has worked in several government departments in suicide prevention including Health and the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Department of Defence. Nikki continues to advocate for suicide prevention and engaging lived experience.	Moral Injury: A New Dimension to Trauma
Cameron Burgess Program Director Sanctuary	Cameron Burgess brings over two decades of leadership experience across the Community Services, International Development, Social Enterprise, and Child Protection sectors. He holds formal qualifications in Social Work (Honours), Business Management, and Leadership. From 2012 to 2017, Cameron founded and led Mission Australia’s Strengthening Communities initiative, delivering impactful community development projects in public housing estates and remote Aboriginal communities nationwide. This innovative work was recognised as a finalist in the national Collaboration for Impact awards. Cameron has also worked extensively across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and has served as Chair of the Board for an international non-government organisation.	The Invisible Toll: Combatting Vicarious Trauma in Human-Centred Workforces
Alison Parolo Principal Baldivis Secondary College	Speaker bio coming soon.	COMING SOON
Emma Esposito School Social Worker Coburn Primary School	Speaker bio coming soon.	We Belong: The Practical Implementation of Collaborative Practice in Schools
Kathleen McInnes Student Wellbeing Case Manager Coburn Primary School	Speaker bio coming soon.	We Belong: The Practical Implementation of Collaborative Practice in Schools
Matthew Spicer Director - Clinical Training Services The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support (CPBS)	Matthew has over 20 years of experience working across government and non-government services as a practitioner, clinical manager and consultant. His work across health, education and community service sectors has included leadership and service development as well as training and supervision of staff. Matthew's values of compassion, social justice and effective practice are evident through his work with people impacted by trauma, people living with disability, their families and staff members. Matthew has worked as a leader implementing sector wide training initiatives and leading change management processes for services implementing trauma-informed practice. He has presented at conferences in the areas of staff and systemic responses that support both client and staff wellbeing whilst supporting people with complex needs. He has published in journals and textbooks on non-aversive approaches to crisis management and trauma-informed practice.	Coming Soon