Speakers and workshops

Qualifications: PhD, MSc, GAICD.

Dr Sonja Hood AM is the CEO of the Scanlon Foundation, a leading advocate for Australia’s social cohesion. She has more than thirty years’ experience in public policy and community development, with extensive leadership roles in government, sport, not for profits, and philanthropy.

Sonja is President of the North Melbourne Football Club, a Director of the Scanlon Foundation, and Board Chair of the Foundation’s three satellite organisations: Welcoming Australia, Community Hubs Australia, and the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute. She is also a member of the Community Directors Council.

As a transformational leader with over 29 years of experience in education, Professor Joanna Barbousas has fundamentally reshaped both teacher education and education policy in Australia. Since joining La Trobe University in 2016, she has positioned the School of Education as a leading provider of teacher education through evidence-based innovation and sector partnerships.

Professor Barbousas' research focuses on education transformation and evidence-based practices, examining the critical role of partnerships in elevating the teaching profession. Through significant research funding, including support from the Bertalli Foundation, she has advanced evidence-informed approaches to structured learning and innovative teaching practices. Her policy expertise and research inform ministerial decisions and strategic directions in Australian education.

As founder and leader of the award-winning NEXUS program, Professor Barbousas has secured over $17 million in funding through the Commonwealth Government High Achievers Teachers Program and the State Government of Victoria. This innovative employment-based teacher education program serves regional/rural and hard-to-staff schools across Victoria and New South Wales. She serves as a key advisor on numerous government steering committees and expert panels, continuing to drive transformative change in education policy and teacher education across Australia.

Amy Green is a leading educator, speaker, and strategist dedicated to transforming workplace and school wellbeing and culture.

As the founder of The Wellness Strategy, she partners with school leaders, educators, and workplaces to embed sustainable practices that enhance energy, engagement, and productivity. With a background in education and leadership, and extensive studies in human behaviour, coaching, and positive psychology, Amy has delivered keynotes and workshops across Australia, equipping individuals and teams with the tools to succeed.

Amy challenges traditional norms, encouraging fresh, innovative approaches to working and living well. Having personally navigated chronic stress and diverse work environments, she understands the critical need to rethink and redesign how we approach wellbeing. Her insights and strategies help build resilience, boost productivity, and foster thriving teams and workplaces.

In a time when conventional methods often fall short, Amy advocates for meaningful change, inspiring individuals, schools, and organisations to make wellbeing a core strategy rather than an afterthought. Through her work, she redefines what it means to feel, work, team and lead well.

The Wellness Strategy

Jo Lampert is Professor of Teacher Education for Social Transformation in the School of Education, Culture & Society at Monash University, and co-leads the Education Workforce for the Future Impact Lab. Jo has worked in teacher education for 25 years researching how teachers can be prepared to address educational inequalities in the hardest-to-staff schools. She leads current research projects on codesign, and on the impact of teacher shortages on the hardest to staff schools. 

Her co-presenter, Amelia Hawkins is a PhD student examining the experiences of middle leaders in the schools most impacted by teacher attrition and teacher turnover.

Jo Lampert | Monash University

Dr. Jodi Richardson is a renowned speaker, author, and wellbeing expert, specialising in empowering students, educators, parents, and school leaders to manage anxiety, reduce stress, and enhance wellbeing. A former secondary teacher, Dr. Jodi brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing school communities, including student anxiety and educator burnout. Her warm, compassionate, and engaging approach is rooted in research and complemented by her clinical work and personal experiences. 

Dr. Jodi is the bestselling author of Anxious Kids and Anxious Mums, creator of the top-ranked, award-winning podcast Well, Hello Anxiety and a regular media commentator.

More on Dr. Jodi Richardson

Justin Robinson is the co-founder of The Wellbeing Distillery, supporting hundreds of schools across Australia and 11 countries with wellbeing education. Previously, he was the founding Director of the Institute of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar.

Known for deep listening, storytelling, and inspiring change, Justin spent over 20 years as a teacher and leader. A co-author of Essential Mathematics and My Manifesto, he holds a Master of Education from Monash and is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Named in The Educator's Top 50 Hot List, he also serves as Treasurer of the International Positive Education Network.

The Wellbeing Distillery

Dr Nathaniel Swain is a Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Writer. He works as a Senior Lecturer in Learning Sciences at La Trobe University School of Education and SOLAR LAB, and he produces a blog for teachers called Dr Swain's Cognitorium.

Nathaniel has taught a range of learners in schools and universities, and founded a community of teachers committed to the Science of Learning: THINK FORWARD EDUCATORS, now 23,000 members and growing. Dr Swain is a sought after speaker on educational circuits, and has a new book in 2024 entitled "Harnessing the Science of Learning: Success stories to help kickstart your school improvement".

As an educator and researcher passionate about equity and inclusion, I have dedicated my career to addressing racial and cultural discrimination in schools. My work focuses on fostering inclusive learning environments, supporting educators in anti-racist practices, and ensuring that all students feel valued and empowered. With extensive experience in educational leadership and policy, I bring both practical strategies and research-based insights to this session.

By the end of the session, school leaders will be equipped with practical tools to handle discrimination incidents effectively, promote equity, and sustain an inclusive school culture that respects and values diversity. This session aligns with legal obligations under Victorian education policies and emphasizes the importance of leadership in driving systemic change.

Pearl Subban | Monash University

Dr. Selena Fisk is a data storyteller dedicated to helping educators transform numbers into meaningful narratives that create positive change. With 16 years of teaching experience in Australia and the UK, Selena empowers educators, school leaders, schools and systems to build data-informed cultures. She has authored four books, an online data storytelling course, and is the creator of the 'Make Data Talk' podcast. Selena supports system leaders, school leaders, middle leaders, and teachers worldwide to use data strategically, ultimately enhancing outcomes for young people.

Selena Fisk

Kirli Saunders (OAM) is a proud Gunai Woman who rarely stays in her lane. She’s a multi-award-winning writer, artist, singer-songwriter and consultant. Kirli creates, to connect, to make change. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the arts (2022).

Kirli is the author of 8 celebrated books including Eclipse, Bindi, Afloat & Returning. Her theatre show Yandha Djanbay will tour in 2026.

As a visual artist, Kirli is most proud of her film collaborations with Grassland Films & Tad Souden. As well as her drone installation, Buungbaa Ma Ndhu (Fremantle Biennalle & Ngunuggula Gallery) and voice to art digital installation, TRACES (produced by Google, Magabala and Sydney Opera House with Kamsani Bin Salleh).'

Kirli Saunders

Div Pillay is a diversity and inclusion practitioner, leader, researcher and advocate with over 25 years of experience in gender, race, ethnicity, social class and age systems equity. Born, raised and educated in South Africa, Div carries with her, her lived experience of racial segregation. Backed by her behavioural science and economics background, Div has worked with boards and executive teams in large private and public sector entities, including the Department of Education; to transform systems in workplaces. 

Div leads award winning diversity and inclusion consultancy MindTribes; is a Board Director at VicHealth; A CQ University Council appointed Strategy committee member; An Honorary Fellow, Monash University and is named by the Australian Financial Review as one of the 100 Women of Influence.

About - MindTribes

Dr Simon Breakspear is a researcher, advisor, and speaker on educational leadership, policy, and change. As founder of Strategic Schools, he develops frameworks, tools and programs that make evidence-based ideas actionable and easy to understand. Over the last decade, his capability-building work has given him the opportunity to work with over 100,000 educators across more than ten countries.

Simon is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at UNSW and the author of Teaching Sprints: How Overloaded Educators Can Keep Getting Better. He has been an advisor to the NSW Department of Education and sits on the expert steering committee for the Australia Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). Simon holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Gates Scholar. He began his work in education as a high school teacher.

Dr Simon Breakspear | Speaker. Author. Researcher

Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Program Director at the Grattan Institute. Jordana has an extensive background in public policy design and implementation, with a focus on school education. Her PhD research investigated policies designed to boost quality teaching.

Nick Parkinson, Senior Associate at the Grattan Institute. Nick has worked in education research and data analysis for several years. He has also just completed a Master of Teaching.

www.grattan.edu.au