VETASSESS 3rd Allyship Conference 2026

Sharan Burrow AC has been on the Bendigo Kangan Institute Board since December 2023, before becoming Chair in September 2024. Sharan is a global advocate for human rights, climate action and just transition. She is the former General Secretary of the International Confederation of Trade Unions for 12 years from 2010-2022 after serving as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 2000-2010. 

Sharan is well known for her international advocacy on employment, human rights, industrial relations, corporate responsibility, and climate action with just transition solutions. She has represented workers and civil society groups in global policy discussions in United Nations bodies, on the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation as well as at the tables of the G7, G20, World Bank and International Monetary Fund. She has twice been a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos.

Sharan is currently a Visiting Professor in Practice to the LSE-Grantham Institute, a board member of the European Climate foundation, a board member of the Green Hydrogen Association, Co-Chair of the IEA Labour Council, a Commissioner for the Global Commission on Climate Governance and Leader of B Team.

Dr Mamta Chauhan has experience in education, research, skill recognition and stakeholder engagement. Mamta provides oversight, leadership and management of migration skills assessments for 341 general professional occupations and assessment services to support membership organisations. 

She sits at various roundtable discussions and committees to discuss topics related to Australia’s skilled migration program, qualification frameworks and skills recognition.    

Jana Favero is Deputy CEO and has worked for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre for over 13 years. Jana is a regular spokesperson in breaking news on human rights and refugee policy on and offshore. She contributes comment to major publications: Fairfax and Newscorp press, ABC national and local radio and TV, The Guardian, New York Times and Al Jazeera. She is a regular keynote speaker at conferences and events on asylum policy. With strong, varied global experience, from communications for the private sector in the UK to women’s social enterprise development in the steppe of Mongolia, to leading a campaign to increase the effectiveness and acceptance of women’s leadership in India. Jana’s global social justice work has sharpened her social justice values and entrenched in her work a basic belief that seeking asylum is a point in someone's life – not a definition of identity. 

Jana is committed to seeing through advocacy work until people seeking asylum are treated fairly in Australia. Outside of work, Jana is a proud member of the Cloud Appreciation Society and in leisure time can be found on a flying trapeze or on a bike path with her three young children in tow.

Brett Galt-Smith is Manager of Stakeholder & Government Relations for the Bendigo Kangan Institute. He initially commenced in March 2023 with VETASSESS, Australia’s largest skills assessment provider both migration and national skills recognition, authorised by the Australian Government. VETASSESS is a business that sits within the broader Bendigo Kangan Institute (TAFE) entity. We are an integrated skills organisation.

In December 2023 Brett returned from a three-year diplomatic posting to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi where he was the Australian Government’s Counsellor (Education and Research) for South Asia.

Prior to his appointment as Counsellor, Brett was Director of International Education Policy and Legislation in at the Australian Government Department of Education in Canberra. Brett has a diverse career including international education policy and regulation, the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children, international and Commonwealth/state relations, the repatriation of Indigenous Australian human remains from overseas collecting institutions and was the Research Director of the Strehlow Research Centre (Indigenous culture and traditions) in Alice Springs 1998-2003.

Brett has a Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology) from the University of New England and received First Class Honors for his thesis on the rock art of Central Australia. He also has a Certificate IV in Government Investigations.

In his spare time Brett is a registered Civil Marriage Celebrant and musician.

Betsy Gregg is an education and workforce capability leader with expertise in skills pathways, migration, and reform at the intersection of government, industry, and the tech profession. Over a decade at the Australian Computer Society (ACS), she has progressed from a new migrant education administrator to senior leadership, where she currently serves as Director, Operations. With a foundation in career services and education, including international experience in South Korea and the United States, Betsy brings a lifelong commitment to learner-centred pathways across every stage of the professional journey—from graduate transitions to the workforce, to migration and mid-career reskilling. 

Betsy has played a key role in national skills recognition programs, including leading ACS's Migration Skills Assessment and Professional Year programs, driving critical transformation initiatives across ACS delivery, and co-releasing high-impact research such as the Skilled Journeys longitudinal survey supporting the voice and experience of migrating tech professionals.

Dr Rocco Guarnaccia is responsible for overseeing the Skills Recognition Trades (SRT), eWorks and VET program areas. Throughout his career, Rocco has worked in the vocational education and training (VET) sector for over 30 years as a teacher/trainer, manager, senior executive and co-founder of a registered training organisation (RTO). He’s been responsible for program development (accredited and non-accredited programs), training and assessment (AQF courses), quality assurance and compliance (ASQA - domestic, ESOS/CRICOS - international) as well as research into the Australian VET industry. During this time, he has worked in the government (TAFE), university, private/corporate and non-for-profit sectors.

Rocco has a Doctor of Education from The University of Melbourne that focused on the organisational sustainability of commercial for-profit training providers within the VET sector. His research centered on the impact of the pedagogical, governance and business aspects of organisations and why some training providers succeeded while others failed. Rocco also holds a Master of Education, Postgraduate Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and Bachelor of Education and Training from The University of Melbourne.

Caroline Hartnett is Director, Study Melbourne and International Education, in the State Government of Victoria. The team supports international education providers and businesses access and expand into global markets, and maintains Victoria’s position as a destination of choice for international students. The team also provides a suite of innovative student programs and supports to Victoria’s international student community.

Tim Kane joined Committee for Economic Development (CEDA) in 2024 as a Senior Economist based in Canberra. He was previously a Senior Economist and Program Lead of the Agricultural Forecasting and Policy program at the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resources Economics and Sciences where he led the Bureau’s analysis of commodity markets for Australian agriculture. Prior to this, Tim held several positions in the Commonwealth Department of Education, including as its Senior Economic Advisor, and leading its response to the 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Tim holds a Master of Applied Economics from the Australian National University and Bachelor of Business (Economics) from the University Technology Sydney.

Damien Kilner is the First Assistant Secretary, ​Citizenship, Humanitarian, Family Visa Programs and Support, for the Department of Home Affairs. He is responsible for the Department’s program delivery of Australia’s migration and temporary entry programs. He commenced in this position in February 2024. 

Prior to commencing in this role, Damien was Home Affairs’ Regional Director for the Mekong Region in South-East Asia for four years. Damien has previously been responsible for managing Australia’s Citizenship and Multicultural programs.

Damien has extensive experience with the Department of Home Affairs having started working for the Department in 1990. He commenced his career in the ACT and has had six diplomatic postings with the Department to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Thailand (twice), Jordan and Pakistan. 

He was also seconded to the International Organization for Migration as Head of Office in Laos in 2015 and 2016.

Dr Sushil Kumar assumed charge as Consul General of India in Melbourne, Australia on 27 July 2022.

He previously served in the Indian Missions in Kuwait and Colombo. He also represented India at the Colombo Plan and South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) in Colombo and served as the Secretary to India Sri Lanka Foundation from May 2019 to June 2022. At the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, he served in the West Asia & North Africa Division.

Dr Kumar has done his Ph.D from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and served briefly as Scientist before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2009. He speaks English, Hindi, Maithili and Arabic. His interests include travelling, reading and gardening. He is married to Mona and they have two daughters.

Megan Lilly is the Deputy Commissioner at Jobs and Skills Australia, with a longstanding commitment to education and skills development in Australia. She was previously the inaugural Executive Director of the Centre for Education & Training at the Australian Industry Group and spent two decades shaping skills policy at Ai Group. Megan has held senior roles in TAFE and industry training bodies and served on numerous national advisory boards and councils. She is also Deputy Chair of the WorldSkills Australia Board and holds a Master’s in Educational Policy and Administration.

Viv Nguyen’s greatest talent is continuing what she started soon after arriving in Australia as a 12-year-old refugee: being a passionate advocate for genuine community engagement and cultural diversity.

For over 25 years Viv has been a leader in corporate, community and government settings, applying her business knowledge and technical expertise to work with community organisations to advance their social objectives. She held executive roles at AustChoice Financial Services, AMP Asset Management and ANZ Banking Group, where she led their global diversity strategy. She was also President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia Victoria Chapter from 2016 to 2019.

In 2002, Viv was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll for advocating for women’s leadership and supporting young Vietnamese people. In 2003, she was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal and in 2021 was awarded the Australian Order in the AM division for advancing multicultural Victoria.

Liam O'Brien was re-elected as Assistant Secretary at the Australian Council of Trade Unions Congress in June 2024.

Before joining the ACTU Liam was the Victorian Assistant Secretary and National Vice-President of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU). It was there where he fought for the rights of workers across the diverse range of industries that the AWU represents. As a national official he led the AWU’s work in the aluminium, aviation, glass and construction sectors. As ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam is responsible for leading the movements policy, industrial and campaigning work on work health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Liam is passionate about the rights of all workers to have safe, healthy and decent work, and is a member of Safe Work Australia (SWA) and the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Council (ASSEC).

Liam is also responsible for the skills and VET portfolio at the ACTU, and is a member of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, with a major in Economics. He is the proud father of two kids and lives in Melbourne’s west.

Timi Onduku-Pedley is an admitted Victorian lawyer with broad experience across both the community and private legal sectors. She has a strong track record of providing trauma-informed and tailored legal services to disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community. Timi graduated from La Trobe University Law School in 2020 and completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Centre for Law in 2021. Since then, she has built over three years of legal experience.

For the past two years, Timi has worked as a lawyer in the Equality Law Program at Victoria Legal Aid (VLA), where she practiced in areas including victims’ compensation under the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) and the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme, Restitution and Compensation Orders under the Sentencing Act 1991 (VIC), and sexual harassment civil claims.

Prior to joining VLA, she worked at ADC Legal (now Oakbridge Lawyers) in the area of insurer subrogated debt recovery civil litigation. Before that, she practiced at KP Abbott & Co, focusing on wills and estates, commercial law, and family law.

Timi has also made significant contributions to the not-for-profit and pro bono legal sectors. Her volunteer experience includes work as a lawyer with InTouch Women’s Legal Centre, in areas such as VOCAT, family violence, and family law. She also completed internships at Everyday Justice – a Mills Oakley charitable initiative and delivered services in the areas of wills & estates, neighbour disputes, fines & infringements, tenancy, and credit & debt matters; and at Whittlesea Community Legal Centre, where she worked on matters related to wills & estates, fines & infringements, and consumer law matters. In addition to her legal experience, Timi is also a Fashion entrepreneur and designer. She is the founder/Owner of the womenswear fashion label ‘TimiAlaere’.

Craig Robertson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA). The authority is tasked by the Victorian Government to plan for post-school education and training to support a growing economy and good jobs for Victorians. 

Previously, Craig was the CEO of TAFE Directors Australia from April 2017, representing TAFEs Australia-wide. In 2015-16  he was Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Department of Education and Training and prior to that he worked for more  than 30 years in various roles across the Commonwealth Government, focused on schools funding, employment services and vocational education and training.

Craig holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Mursal Sadat is a passionate advocate, storyteller, athlete, and speaker based in Melbourne. A player with the Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team, she now works across youth advocacy, refugee empowerment, and sport.

She is a Youth Facilitator with CMY’s Settling Smarter Program, Assistant Coach for South Yarra FC’s Senior Women’s Team and a coaching officer with Football Victoria — all while continuing to play soccer herself.

Mursal is a speaker with ASRC, a storyteller with Embrace Sanctuary Australia, and a volunteer with the Global Shapers Melbourne Hub and CMY. She holds a Diploma in Graphic Design from the Institute of Fine Arts in Afghanistan and a Dual Diploma of Sports and Business Management from Australia.

She has completed multiple leadership and advocacy programs, including the Community Advocacy Power Program with ASRC, A Seat at the Table with CMY, the Leadership Launchpad program with Amnesty International, and other professional certifications in sports coaching. Her achievements include the Best Delegate Award at the 2024 Universal Youth Leadership Summit, the UN Peace Day Power of Peace Award, and finalist nominations for Inspirational Young Person of the Year (2024) and Sports Person of the Year (2025).

Reuben Saul holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW. He has worked as a migration lawyer since 2010 and has been a partner in a law firm in Perth since July 2014. He was elected as WA Branch President in October 2021 and again in October 2023, when he was also elected National President.

Martin Stokie is a full time Commissioner with the Australian Government Productivity Commission, starting in early 2022.

Martin is currently leading two inquiries, the first focusing on delivering quality care more efficiently and the second on investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation. Martin also led the Commission’s inquiries into early childhood education and care, carer’s leave, and employment in the aged care sector 

Prior to joining the Productivity Commission, Martin worked for over twenty years as an economics and public policy consultant and before that he started his career with the Victorian public service in Treasury, Economic Development and Regulatory Reform.

Innes Willox is Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, a leading industry organisation representing businesses in a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, construction, transport, defence, technology, retail, the care economy and labour hire. Innes was appointed Chief Executive in May 2012. 

Among a range of other appointments he is the: 

• Deputy Chair of Australian Super, 
• Board Member of the Australian American Leadership Dialogue, 
• Chair of the Migration Council of Australia (since 2022 known as Social Policy Group), 
• Advisory Board Member of Asialink and Asialink Business, 
• Chair of the Advisory Board of RMIT College of Business & Law and 
• Member of the Industry Advisory Board of Monash University. 

Prior to joining Ai Group in 2008 he served as the Australian Consul General to Los Angeles from 2006 to 2008, Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, from 2004 to 2006 and earlier was Manager of Global Public Affairs for Singapore Airlines based in Singapore (2000-04). Innes was earlier the national political correspondent of The Age newspaper.