Presenters

Merryn Parks

A service marketer by trade Merryn spent a decade (or so!) working in telecommunications across a variety of Director level roles at Optus including brand, retail, segment and product marketing. With a heart leading her to the ‘For Purpose’ industry Merryn switched to education working in advancement. She launched the...

Mikaeli Costello

Mikaeli leads the University of Queensland’s Alumni and Community Engagement portfolio overseeing alumni marketing and communications, programming and events, as well as UQ’s annual fund and donor relations. Previous to this, Mikaeli held a fundraising role at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute. In addition to her roles at UQ, Mikaeli has...

Mike Stanley

CEO of AUT Millennium, President and Chairman New Zealand Olympic Committee, and Board member – High Performance Sport New Zealand, Mike is the perfect leader to inspire delegates on decision making and high performance strategies. Mike has had a long involvement in sport, including with rowing, where he has been...

Murray Osbourne

Murray brings with him a strong background in community engagement, alumni relations and major events within the education sector. He is the current Head of Alumni & Community Engagement at Melbourne Grammar School, where he lead’s whole of school engagement strategies across alumni, families & volunteers. Prior to his...

Myfanwy Stanfield

Myfanwy has dedicated over 18 years to the independent education sector in New South Wales. Her journey emphasises developing relationships, engaging communities, and enhancing organisational profiles through strategic marketing and communications. Myfanwy’s expertise spans strategic planning, fostering philanthropy, relationship marketing, event management, alumni engagement, and admissions. This diverse skill...

Nick Jaffer

A recognised award-winning authority on major gifts, capital campaigns and integrated advancement, Nick has built a strong track working across five continents, including senior roles at his alma mater, the University of Alberta, during its first comprehensive campaign—the third largest campaign in Canadian history to that time, exceeding the goal...

Nicole De Vries

Nicole de Vries is an established executive leader with more than 15 years’ experience across independent schools, with a track record in strategic planning, sustainable enrolment growth, innovative marketing campaigns, and leading high-performing teams. In her current role as Director of Advancement at Ipswich Girls’ and Junior Grammar School,...

Penny Bowman

Penny is an experienced Development Manager, specialising in the initial establishment and implementation of Alumni Relations and Development strategies. Penny joined Toorak College in 2016 as the school’s first ever appointed person in a Development role. Through consultation with the school’s key stakeholders and the development of best practice policies,...

Peta Nowacki

DirectorWorking Together Peta has worked exclusively in the area of workplace relations since 1999, founding Working Together in 2006. Since then, she has been an independent mediator, investigator, trainer and consultant in fields including education, professional services, health, arts, retail and manufacturing for everything from corporates to not-for-profits.

Peter Buckingham

Managing DirectorSpectrum Analysis Peter has been the Managing Director of Spectrum Analysis for over 25 years. Prior to that he worked in the oil industry following his studies at Melbourne University. Spectrum Analysis works in both education and in demographics and mapping within the franchise sector, with major accounts both...

Phillip Tascone

Phil is the Director of People and Culture at Ivanhoe Grammar School and a seasoned HR professional with deep expertise in strategic HRM across the education sector. He leads with empathy, guiding cultural and operational change through clear direction in workforce planning, recruitment, professional learning, and leadership development. Known...

Rachael Robertson

Expedition Leader, Leadership and Teamwork expert, and Best Selling Author.Rachael Robertson Pty Ltd Rachael led the Australian expedition to Davis Station, Antarctica – second female to lead a team at the Station and the youngest ever leader. She managed 18 people through the long, dark, Antarctic...