Allison Miller

Director and Lead Consultant, Digital Capability

Allison Miller is a professional learning and business development leader of 25+ years. She is the Director and Lead Consultant of Digital Capability, an organisation which specialises in cutting edge online learning and online business solutions. 

Allison also helps educational organisations ensure that their training and assessment is effective and compliant, especially online. 

Allison has a Master of Learning and Development (Organisational Development), Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Education (Secondary Business), Diploma of VET, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and Diploma of Business. She also leads the ePortfolios Australia professional network and the annual Australian Eportfolio Forum.

Angela McGregor

Owner and Principal Consultant, RTO Consulting

Angela has worked as a consultant since 1999.  During this time she also set up and managed RTO for 9 years. 

She particularly enjoys setting up new RTOs, assisting with course accreditation, professional development of RTO compliance staff and administrators and the development of assessment writers. 

A trainer by heart, Angela is committed to  developing the skills of people within the VET sector.  

One of her keenest areas of specialisation is RTO Administration.

Chemène Sinson & Jo Medlin

About Jo Medlin:

Jo Medlin is a literacy and numeracy advocate with over 30 years experience. In addition to teaching, writing accredited curriculum, resource development, industry engagement, and delivering professional development, Jo’s focus is on access to education via equitable literacy and numeracy practices.

Jo is the President of the Australian Council for Adult Literacy (ACAL) and sits on a number of other committees, including the Reading Writing Hotline Steering Committee, DESE’s Foundation Skills Advisory Committee, and the Education Industry Reference Council.

A passionate literacy advocate, she recently worked on the SBS documentary ‘Lost for Words’ as the literacy consultant and on-screen presenter, with the goal of broadening community awareness of the unmet literacy needs of many Australian adults.

About Chemène Sinson:

Chemène is a freelance learning and performance specialist who helps individuals and organisations design, develop and deliver learning and assessment experiences that lead to improved performance.

 She has worked in the VET sector since 2000 and specialises in TAE qualifications.  In recent years she has focussed her own professional development on foundation skills and is the administrator of the LLN and VET Meeting Place website. Chemène is a regular speaker at conferences and special events

Christina Bolger, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (ASQA)

Ms Bolger previously held leadership roles in the Australian Public Service in policy, regulation and service delivery, with experience in a range of  areas including health, rehabilitation, quality and safety.

She holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration (ANZSOG, ANU) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Coleen Rivas

Founder, Raspberry Training and Consulting

Coleen has had 20 years of experience in the VET sector. She has owned and managed various RTOs and is an experienced instructional designer and VET professional.

Coleen is passionate about quality vocational education and the delivery of best practice competency assessment.

David Garner

Principal Consultant, [consult dg]

David Garner is the Principal Consultant at [consult dg] and provides advice, development and research to the VET sector. He has worked in a variety of compliance related roles for over 15 years.  He also currently works in staff roles for two RTOs delivering a range of courses to overseas students in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Most recently, as the General Manager Regulatory Operations for the Australian Skills Quality Authority, David was responsible for implementing ASQA’s regulatory strategy nationally.

David was also Director, Training Quality, in the Queensland Department of Education and Training. Prior to joining the Queensland department in 2005, David worked in and managed training providers for many years. David also has been active in sports administration for over 30 years.

David Jepsen

Founder and Principal of RTO Accountants

With over 25 years’ experience as a practicing Chartered Accountant, David is the Founder and Principal of RTO Accountants. David started his career at KPMG, moving onto mid-tier accounting firms and commercial roles with Citigroup, Zurich, CBA and others in Sydney and London before setting up an accounting practice in 2001. Offering commercial and realistic advice, David believes the foundation for business success is built upon strong, trusted, and lasting client partnerships.

David is commercially minded and works collaboratively with clients to develop strategies and solutions for complex business challenges. Having worked in accounting firms as well as public and private businesses, David has a breadth of experience in accounting, taxation, business advisory, financial control and CFO roles, ensuring his clients receive top-level, expert advice.

Specialising in the RTO space since 2015, David has developed expert knowledge of the financial viability risk assessment process, RTO financial success, RTO board reporting and acting as an independent expert in RTO’s legal proceedings.

David played plenty of rugby and still loves it, though now takes part in other sporting pursuits such as kayaking, yoga and running.

Dr Deniese Cox

Founder, TeachingOnline.com.au

Deniese is the go-to source for exceptional online strategies that really are effective. 

Every research-driven strategy presented by Deniese in her professional development webinars and videos has been extensively trialled, refined, and proven to work in a variety of settings by diverse educators and students. 

With extensive hands-on VET experience, a Masters in online learning, and a PhD in online VET teaching, Deniese is well placed to help educators cut through noise around online education. 

Feedback about her highly interactive and engaging events is that educators always learn practical, proven strategies that can easily be adapted to meet the needs of their unique contexts.

Dr Kipley Nink

Dr Kipley Nink, Systemic Review and Evaluation Director, ASQA

As acting Director, Systemic Review and Evaluation (SRE), Kipley overseas a range of functions which enable ASQA to understand it’s regulatory impact.

The SRE team’s responsibilities include maintaining and maturing ASQA’s systemic and systematic evaluation framework. This includes supporting the internal capability and culture in relation to evaluation as well as managing specific evaluation activities which enable ASQA to understand how its regulatory risk activity achieves its strategic deliverables and purpose. This evaluation enables identification of priorities and drives continuous improvement.

The team also has primary responsibility for the development of a model for provider self-assurance and the systemic application of self-assurance in ASQAs regulatory design.

Kipley has been with ASQA since October 2020 and has substantial knowledge and experience in designing and managing strategic research, including ASQA’s Online Learning in the VET sector and factors impacting on Trainer and Assessor capability.

Prior to joining ASQA, Kipley has held a number of senior roles in a range of Commonwealth and state government organisations undergoing reform, including in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

James Castrission

Adventurer | Keynote speaker | Entrepreneur | Leadership Consultant

James holds two Guinness World Records for his accomplishments and is highly regarded as one of Australia’s premier public speakers.

His bestselling books Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South cover his world-first journeys; kayaking from Australia to New Zealand and travelling unsupported to the South Pole.

As a keynote speaker, James shares the unbelievable stories of his adventures and inspires audiences to set their own goals of greatness.

Jason Ash

General Manager at MRWED Training and Assessment

Jason has more than 15 years of training and assessment experience, gained predominantly in corporate environments. He has specialised in delivering training in sales, coaching, business communication and management and has received international acclaim for his work in Learning and Development. Jason was the winner of the Platinum Award for “Best Young Learning Leader” at the 2011 LearnX Asia-Pacific Awards and was named a young trainer to watch by US Training Magazine in 2012.

Jason is a two-time MRWED Trainer of the year and is one of only three trainers in Australia certified to deliver Bob Pike’s Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp, the world’s most well-respected trainer training program. A strong advocate for the participant-centred approach to training, Jason has spoken on the topic of Creative Training Techniques at conferences all over Australia and at multiple events in the United States.

Jason Blinman

CEO and Founder: The Maven Effect

Jason Blinman is currently the Chief Executive Officer & Founder of The Maven Effect, but more recently, feedback has founded him to be classified as “A Unicorn; a majestic creature to behold both personally and professionally yet amazing to watch in action due to our limited comprehension of its magical abilities”.

Jason has held Senior, Executive and Board roles in RTO’s, Corporate L&D, Human Resources and Operations arenas.

Before opening The Maven Effect, Jason held the role of Operations Manager of a prominent club in Sydney Australia. Combining exceptional strategy building techniques with “out of this world” people skills, Jason lead the company to boost its profit growth by $15 million in one financial year.

Jason is a highly regarded Leader of industry, who brings a wealth of experience to each interaction, working with and learning from some of the World’s most recognised and loved brands such as The Disney Institute and McDonald’s Australia’s RTO. Jason's Vision - "I want to change the hearts of Leaders everywhere".

Jason Hinton

Director, VETServices

Jason is experienced in resource development and managing compliance with 15 years’ experience working in VET, corporate training and professional development and with a range of Training Packages.

Experienced in Coaching, Validation, Compliance, Learning Management, Auditing, Educational Technology, and Instructional Design

Jason’s area of specialisation is in customising training solutions to achieve workplace goals.

John Blake

Director of Online Learning, Eastern College Australia

With over 20 years in education, John brings a unique industry skill set combining EAL & Foundation Skills, Hospitality, and Training & Education delivery.

John has worked in nineteen countries supporting a multicultural blend of learners in primary schools, high schools, universities, TAFEs, and industry comprising juxtapositions of low-literacy to PhD and pre-school to retiree participants.

John uses creative delivery approaches, contextualising training and assessment for specific industry needs to support transformation in the lives of learners.

Karen Dymke

Director Thoughtful Works

Karen Dymke is an educator with over thirty years’ experience across a range of sectors, as a teacher, trainer, senior leader, coach and consultant. 

Her work has included lecturing at Latrobe University in Alternative Education models including VET  as well as travelling Australia as a highly sought after presenter sharing the latest educational research. 

Her passion is focused on partnering with educators to progress and support student learning, achievement and well-being, with a specialty in applied learning settings such as VET, TAFE and the Community settings . 

Karen’s work has been acknowledged through the Outstanding Teacher/Trainer of the Year award from the TAFE Development Centre, various scholarships and a Fellowship from the International Specialised Skills Institute. 

She thinks it should be fun (if hard work) when you learn!

Kerri Buttery

Director & Designer, VETNexus

Kerri Buttery has worked in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector for two decades as a Trainer/Assessor, RTO Manager and also as a Senior Lead Auditor for the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Kerri has worked as a consultant for a range of organisations in the areas of establishing Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), conducting internal audits, consulting on VQF compliance, developing accredited courses, convening conferences and events, developing training and assessment materials, conducting professional development workshops and delivering Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

As the former Director of Content and Strategy for Velg Training, Kerri has extensive experience in providing advice and assistance to Registered Training Organisations in managing compliance,developing assessments and delivering training in line with the VET Quality Framework. She also specialises in eLearning consulting, with a particular focus on the Canvas LMS by Instructure.

Kerri now provides professional development services on everything related to VQF compliance for an RTO through webinars, face-to-face workshops (public and on-demand) as well as presenting at conferences and other events.

Kevin Ekendahl

Chief Executive Officer , Audit Express

Kevin is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Lead Auditor at Audit Express. He has extensive experience working in senior management positions across the training and education sector and as a board member on health regulation and community organisations. 

Having built and managed a registered training organisation, Kevin understands the importance of ensuring there is the right balance between growth and compliance.

Laurie Kelly

Brain Friendly Training

Laurie speaks Nationally and Internationally on how to use current knowledge of ‘how the brain works’ to maximize the Impact of Training and new Learning.

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 Major and small RTOs, 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.

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.

Maciek Fibrich

Director, RTO Coach

For over 23 years, Maciek Fibrich has been challenging the status-quo in the VET sector, often pushing the limits to achieve unexpected outcomes for RTOs. Some will also argue that disruption is part of Maciek’s DNA, but the reality is, Maciek is truly passionate about ensuring quality within the VET sector and working out ways to use technology to push quality, yet ensuring it never impacts on the human nature of training and assessment.

Maciek commenced his VET journey in 1999 when he started his first RTO with his mother, and since then, he has seen the industry morph many times. He has enjoyed the many challenges faced due to the never-ending changes, but has never lost sight of the industries main focus, educating our students.

Marc Ratcliffe

CEO and Founder, MRWED Training and Assessment

Marc Ratcliffe is a multi-award-winning trainer, author and education entrepreneur. 

He is the CEO and founder of MRWED Training and Assessment, a private RTO that specialises in Trainer Training. He is a strong advocate for "edu-tainment" and believes that learner involvement and fun are integral to student success. 

He continues to be an in-demand conference speaker and workshop facilitator, having presented at more than 50 conferences in a dozen countries in the past decade and was recently named as the winner of the “Best Training and Development Leadership” Award for 2017 at the World Training and Development Congress in Mumbai.

Marc Ratcliffe & Jason Ash

CEO and Founder and General Manager - MRWED Training and Assessment

Marc Ratcliffe is a multi-award-winning trainer, author and education entrepreneur.

He is the CEO and founder of MRWED Training and Assessment, a private RTO that specialises in Trainer Training. He is a strong advocate for "edu-tainment" and believes that learner involvement and fun are integral to student success. 

He continues to be an in-demand conference speaker and workshop facilitator, having presented at more than 50 conferences in a dozen countries in the past decade and was recently named as the winner of the “Best Training and Development Leadership” Award for 2017 at the World Training and Development Congress in Mumbai.

Jason Ash has more than 15 years of training and assessment experience, gained predominantly in corporate environments. He has specialised in delivering training in sales, coaching, business communication and management and has received international acclaim for his work in Learning and Development. Jason was the winner of the Platinum Award for “Best Young Learning Leader” at the 2011 LearnX Asia-Pacific Awards and was named a young trainer to watch by US Training Magazine in 2012.

Jason is a two-time MRWED Trainer of the year and is one of only three trainers in Australia certified to deliver Bob Pike’s Train-the-Trainer Boot Camp, the world’s most well-respected trainer training program. A strong advocate for the participant-centred approach to training, Jason has spoken on the topic of Creative Training Techniques at conferences all over Australia and at multiple events in the United States.

Melanie Alexandra

Principal Consultant, VETExcel

Melanie has held a variety of roles within the Academic and Vocational Education and Training (VET) sectors over the past 25 years including trainer and assessor, Head of Faculty, Program Manager, RTO Manager, and Head of Quality Assurance and has won awards for practice excellence in teaching and learning, and outstanding leadership.

In recent years, Melanie worked as a Senior Lead Auditor, conducting regulatory audits and registrations against the current VET Quality Framework and Standards for RTOs 2015, and has authored and built a number of online professional development programs to support VET practitioners nationally.

Today Melanie works as an Education Services Advisor of Vocational Education, Skills and Training for Queensland schools and provides consulting support services to RTOs as a VET Consultant in her own right.

Melissa Bennett

Assistant Secretary, VET information Branch from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Mel Bennett has over 20 years’ experience in public administration working across a range of portfolios including Immigration and Border Protection, Home Affairs and Skills and Employment. She is currently the Assistant Secretary of the VET Information Branch in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

In partnership with the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and states and territories, Mel’s Branch drives a significant reform agenda through the VET Data Streamlining Program which will impact the sector at a national level.

In her previous roles, Mel led biometrics policy and capability development in the Department of Home Affairs and oversaw the design and delivery of business transformation at air and seaports, for which she was recognised by the World Customs Organisation for her work in streamlining the traveller operating environment.

Mel was awarded the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Public Sector Innovation Award in 2018 for leading the effort to remove the Outgoing Passenger Card for international travellers. Her academic qualifications include a Graduate Diploma of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies).

Natalie Oostergo

Deputy Academic Director - International Education Services

Natalie Oostergo is the Deputy Academic Director of the 10950NAT Certificate IV in University Preparation at International Education Services. 

In this role, she leads a team of academic staff in the implementation of strategies to support the diverse learning needs of domestic and international students. 

Natalie is an innovative and strategic thinker with over twenty years of experience in education. 

Her career highlights include presenting at various conferences, receiving an Australian Award for University Teaching, becoming an IEAA Associate Fellow, and making lasting connections with students.

Neil Von Heupt

Head of Learning Design, Social Media College

Neil Von Heupt is one of Australia's top learning designers. He's worked on award-winning vocational education projects, is a conference and event speaker, podcast guest, and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Training and Development, and the Institute of Learning Professionals Asia Pacific. He's a blogger and an experienced social media user across multiple platforms since their earliest days. And he has an awesome kombi!

Neil designs learning to deliver performance and business outcomes. Nothing boring, no ‘click next’ snooze-fests – purposeful, engaging, collaborative, practical experiences that deliver results.

Neil is Head of Learning Design at Social Media College, where the world goes to study social media. He led their organisation through the transition from face-to-face to live online, and brings a wealth of facilitation and training experience.

Paul Pellier

Managing Director, Accellier

Paul is an energetic and engaging public speaker and a highly experienced VET professional having held roles such as Quality Manager for a large national RTO. He is passionate about high quality, modern, flexible education and loves to share ideas and connect with others to build a first-class Australian VET sector.

Paul is the founder and Managing Director of Accellier Education, an RTO with over a decade of service to and success in Australia's VET sector including the delivery of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.  Accellier education provides a variety of services to a range of industries, government and defence sectors.

Paul is a self-confessed nerd with a software and digital media background. He loves crafting streamlined, highly automated business systems using tech, freeing his RTO team to do what they do best; serve clients with a delightful course experience.

Sean Heffernan

Director Program Implementation, ASQA

As the Director, Program Implementation within the Market Performance and Engagement branch of ASQA, Sean is responsible for leading the:

• the development of a program of work and applying a range of regulatory tools and resources to address ASQA’s Regulatory Risk Priorities
• management of all in-market applications and complaints about registered training organisations
• engagement with states, territories and commonwealth agencies on operational risks.

Sean joined ASQA in February 2021 as Director, Strategic Operations and was responsible for the centralising of a range of functions, as well as implementing new functions from the Rapid Review into ASQA’s Practices and Processes.

Prior to ASQA, Sean held various roles within the South Australian Public Sector including leading the enforcement and compliance area of the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit, supporting the audit and risk management, business planning and performance reporting within the Attorney-General’s Department and leading the corporate and engagement functions at Ombudsman SA. Sean has a Diploma of Leadership and Management.

The Honourable Brendan O'Connor MP - Minster for Skills and Training

Toby Jones

Head of Education, Learning Vault

Toby Jones has a love and passion for both teaching and emerging technologies, which led him to spend the last 12 years in the education and tech sectors in the UK and Australia. Despite this, he still speaks in completely plain English (Queen’s English) with no buzz words, abbreviations or jargon.

Toby likes nothing more than sharing ideas, hearing from others and most of all: talking about complicated things in language that everyone can understand. Toby thoroughly believes that anyone can learn anything if they have the right teacher.

Tony Kirton

Founder and Senior Designer, Engage Learning and Development