John is Deputy CEO and Director of Education of the Wyndham Community & Education Centre. John served for 10 years as Chairperson of Bridge Darebin, four years as Secretary of the Committee for Wyndham, and was an appointee to the ACFE North-West Regional Council from 2019 until 2024.

Isabel is the recipient of the 2016 Australian Training Awards' Excellence in Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Practice. She has developed and implemented several local, state, and commonwealth-funded projects to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disabilities, and individuals from multicultural backgrounds. Additionally, she worked as an external assessor and trainer for the SenaiNT English Language Centre in Timor Leste. Isabel has presented as a keynote speaker at various national and international conferences and webinars. Her community work was selected for exhibition at the 2019 Northern Territory Human Rights Awards. With Master's Degrees in Analytical Psychology and Social Work, a Graduate Diploma in Counselling, a Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and the Foundation Skills in Vocational Practice Skill Set, her expertise extends to instructional design, writing specialized training resources, and developing assessment tools. Isabel also focuses on creating accessible and inclusive resources and spaces. Currently, Isabel works as a Mental Health Practitioner in private practice and is involved in various community-based projects aimed at improving lifelong learning, mental health, and wellbeing in multicultural and Aboriginal communities, as well as for people with disabilities. Additionally, she participates in literacy projects with RaPAL (Research and Practice in Adult Literacies), the only UK-wide organization that focuses on the role of literacies in adult life. She also serves as a Board Member of the South Australian Social Workers' Association and the SA Royal Life Saving Society.

Ros has extensive experience in adult education and leadership as a LLN practitioner and is currently Head of Department Career Pathways, Aboriginal Languages & Employability Skills at TAFE NSW. She was the winner of the 2013 Australian Training Awards Excellence in Adult LLN Practice and a recipient of an Executive Fellowship through the Australian Endeavour Awards; which included a professional learning experience in Scandinavia. She was part of the NT LLN Network Group and an educational consultant to the Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation.

Tim is an experienced leader in the Not For Profit sector, with over eight years as a director on boards of independent schools, adult community colleges, and youth services providers. He has served as board Chair and Convenor of Finance and Risk Committees. Tim has held CEO roles at UNE Partnerships and Tamworth Community College, with a strong background in business development and government contracting. In the community colleges sector, he focused on addressing literacy and vocational training challenges, particularly in regional areas. He is now furthering his education in teaching literacy in adult and vocational education at CSU and TAS TAFE.

Ron has over 40 years experience in education and training as a teacher, principal and TAFE general manager. He has held Board roles including deputy chair, Adult Community and Further Education Board and president, Australasian Corrections Education Assoc. He has received an Australia Day Honour and Public Service medal for introducing VET to Victoria’s prison system. He recently released a book 'Joseph Akeroyd: Rediscovering a prison reformer'. He has a PhD in Mgt, MEd (Leadership and Mgt) and (Educational Research); BA (Social Sciences), BEd (PE), PG Dip Spec. Ed and Dip Teaching (Primary).

Dr. Robyn Ober is a Mamu/Djirribal woman from North Queensland and a respected researcher in Indigenous educational leadership and both-ways teaching and learning. Her doctoral work investigated identity and culture expressed in and through Aboriginal English. Dr Ober’s expertise has been called upon in numerous consultancies on education delivery, both-ways education, Indigenous research methodologies in the Northern Territory, national and international indigenous educational contexts.

Fleur Lerwill is a Lecturer/Subject Coordinator at the, Kaplan Business School. Fleur has extensive cross-cultural experience in education, training, and advocacy in multi-national organisations, which have required responsibility, accountability, and leadership across various industries.

Christopher has spent the past 16 years as a VET practitioner and adult educator across a range of sectors. He is currently undertaking PhD research, at Deakin University, on the value of professional development for VET practitioners.

Dr Tracey Ollis is an Associate Professor at Deakin University and specialises in Adult Education and lifelong learning within Adult & Community Education (ACE) settings. Her research and work have made a significant contribution to understanding how adult learning across all contexts transforms individual lives and communities. She has published nationally and internationally, focusing on learning in community settings such as Neighbourhood Houses and Learn Locals. Her research is driven by social justice education, trauma-informed practices, and issues of widening access and participation. Tracey served as Principal Editor of the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, ALA's flagship journal, for more than 7 years. She is currently a co-chief investigator with Professor Annette Foley on the 'Adult Community Education (ACE) outcomes project'. She is a member of the international adult learning network PIMA and of the Australian Council of Deans of Education, Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG). She was recently appointed Honorary Professor of Adult and Vocational Learning at Edgehill University in the United Kingdom.

With 15 years at Pooraka Farm Community Centre (PFCC) as the Program Manager for Adult Community Education (ACE) and over 20 years in the not-for-profit sector, I am deeply committed to Adult Community Education (ACE) as a pathway for people to develop employment skills, literacy, life skills, and connection. As both ACE Program Manager and Coordinator at PFCC, I bring a broad skill set across program development, stakeholder engagement, community service delivery, along with practical experience supporting governance processes and audit compliance. I have contributed to Skills SA pilot programs, including introducing micro-credentials to ACE, and serve as a mentor supporting new providers with the ACER UAN platform. My state-level advocacy experience includes working with a parent group to improve epilepsy funding and services for children in South Australia. As a parent of adult children with disability and complex chronic illness, I have direct lived experience of the barriers people face, which drives my commitment to building inclusive, supportive learning environments where participants can grow in confidence and connection.

Dr. Piper Rodd is a Lecturer in the School of Education at Deakin University, Melbourne, specialising in social justice and critical pedagogy. Her research focuses on the sociology and history of education, especially regarding social class and social justice for post-compulsory education. With experience in school, TAFE, and university sectors, she critically examines educational systems and collaborates with community organisations. A committed unionist, she recently completed a three-year term as Branch President of the NTEU, improving conditions for university workers. She also chairs the Board of Future Connect, supporting education and employment in Melbourne's west.

Cheryl is a Senior Lecturer In Education (Applied Learning), with Deakin University’s School of Education. A Doctor of Philosophy, Cheryl has also completed a Master of Professional Education and Training and a Bachelor of Social Science. Cheryl’s research specialisation in education systems, specialist studies in education, curriculum and pedagogy, education policy, sociology and philosophy.