Julie Healy recently finished her role as Executive Director Vocational Education and RTO Manager of TAFE Queensland.

Julie has over 28 years' experience in vocational education and training in a diverse range of leadership roles, advising internal and external clients around RTO compliance and driving quality learning, teaching and assessment, pedagogical practices, student engagement and retention, educator capability and workforce development.

Julie was responsible for compliance and quality improvements to TAFE Queensland’s learning, teaching and assessment, including the development and implementation of VET training products.

Prior to taking up her current role in 2017, Julie held the roles of Director of Learning and Teaching, and Manager, Learning and Teaching Quality at TAFE Queensland.

Julie is a member of the ASQA Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG), and former member of the TAE Technical Reference Group under DEWR. 

Kylie Heere is an accomplished VET professional with a strong track record in strategic leadership, workforce capability and quality improvement. Kylies' particular areas of passion are Foundation Skills, Language, Literacy and Numeracy and the ACSF.

Kylie leads national projects focused on training design, compliance and sector innovation. With over two decades of experience across RTO management, policy and industry engagement, she is recognised for her practical insights into how quality training transforms workplaces and communities. 

Kylie is passionate about supporting trainers and assessors to deliver high-impact learning through inclusive, evidence-based practices. Her expertise spans regulatory compliance, leadership development, and the implementation of contemporary assessment models that meet industry needs. 

Drawing on her extensive experience across both public and private training sectors, Kylie has become a respected voice in shaping best practice and strengthening the quality and innovation of Australia’s vocational education and training system.

Katrina Higham is the General Manager, Product Design and Development at Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA). She brings more than a decade of experience across the Vocational Education and Training sector and the hospitality industry.

Katrina has held senior leadership roles including Commercial Operations Manager at Australian Training Products, Head of Training and Education at the Restaurant and Catering Association, and Chief Operating Officer at VET sector advisory organisations.

Her experience spans RTO management, work with Skills Service Organisations, collaboration with industry associations, and leading auditing and compliance projects nationally.

Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) is the Jobs and Skills Council responsible for the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality sectors.

Lauren Boon, CEO and Director of Aniwaya Education Services, has worked in the education sector for nearly 20 years and has been a passionate advocate for education and training for more than three decades.

She works with organisations and individuals across the education and education support sectors to strengthen quality training and help providers realise their purpose, ultimately enhancing opportunities for students across Australia.

Lauren is particularly passionate about creating educational opportunities where they do not yet exist. She believes every individual should have the chance to build learning and employment pathways through improved digital access and educational inclusion.

Lauren also runs the popular YouTube channel “Lauren Boon Mum, RTO Expert & Gypsy”, where she shares practical insights on RTO compliance and quality assurance, helping education professionals stay informed and improve training outcomes.

David O'Rourke is the Chief Executive Officer of aXcelerate, bringing a wealth of global leadership experience across engineering, design, and software. With a career spanning multiple industries and continents, David has established himself as an innovative leader who merges technology with exceptional client experiences to drive business success.

Prior to joining aXcelerate, David served as CEO of Brisbane-based SaaS company Nightlife Music, where he led the company's growth and evolution in the entertainment and digital media space. His expertise in software and digital solutions was further honed through senior roles at Omnifone (UK), Cribb Media (Australia), and OliveX (Australia).

David’s passion for leveraging technology to enhance business outcomes has been a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy.

At aXcelerate, David continues to champion innovation and efficiency in the education and training sector, ensuring that technology-driven solutions empower businesses and learners alike.

John Liddicoat is the Founder and CEO of Octossure, a compliance and quality management system built specifically for Australia’s Registered Training Organisations.

John’s twenty-plus years of evolving expertise across GTO’s, RTO’s, Australian apprenticeships, international education, Indigenous employment, community development programs and employment services have made him a respected advisor in the VET sector.

John has Chaired the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) and the Apprentice Employment Network NSW ACT (AEN NSW & ACT) and remains actively involved with various VET sector businesses.

Drawing on his C-suite roles leading organisations through numerous acquisition, integration, and expansion activities, John has turned his focus toward the role of technology in VET and how it can positively transform the traditional VET paradigm. 

Sarah is Head of Partnerships at ReadCloudVET, where she leads initiatives to expand high quality VET in Schools programs and flexible pathway options for young people across multiple states and sectors. With a background spanning leadership roles as General Manager of Ripponlea Institute and Compliance, Learning and Assessment Manager across three collaborative RTOs, Sarah brings deep expertise in designing and supporting VETDSSS programs that are rigorous, engaging and industry relevant.

Over nearly two decades she has worked with around 100 schools nationally as an expert VET Applied Languages consultant, helping them implement Certificate II in Applied Language in 12 languages. Sarah collaborates closely with schools, RTO partners and sector networks to interpret policy and regulatory shifts, develop compliant learning and assessment strategies, and support teachers to confidently deliver quality VET programs in secondary settings.

An experienced education consultant and public speaker, Sarah is particularly passionate about building meaningful vocational pathways that give school students relevant choices, positive learning experiences and a strong foundation for further study and employment.

Douglas Dean is a digital learning leader and LMS and EdTech specialist, recognised across the Australian VET sector for his work in learning design, innovation and the practical application of generative AI in education. As Head of Learning Design and Innovation, he leads future focused education strategies that blend emerging technologies with sound pedagogy, robust assessment and compliance requirements. His work spans organisation wide digital uplift, educator capability building and the design of scalable AI enabled solutions that genuinely enhance teaching and learning.

Douglas has led digital and blended program development at all AQF levels, strengthening quality and consistency through smart use of learning technologies, data and design standards. He has overseen the transition of programs to blended and online delivery, delivered VR based learning experiences and co designed gamified programs with industry and education partners.

Passionate about creating engaging and inclusive learning environments, Douglas focuses on helping educators and organisations navigate the shift to AI and emerging technologies with confidence, while maintaining strong educational integrity and outcomes for diverse learners.