Allyship Conference 2026

Dr Mamta Chauhan is the Executive Director of VETASSESS, Australia’s largest skills assessment provider supporting the skilled migration program across more than 350 occupations. 

Mamta brings more than 20 years’ experience across education, research, skills recognition and stakeholder engagement. She leads VETASSESS’ global operations and oversees large-scale migration skills assessments, as well as services supporting professional membership and accreditation bodies. 

Mamta was appointed Executive Director in July 2024, following more than a decade in senior roles within VETASSESS since joining in 2009. She represents VETASSESS in national and international forums, contributing to advisory groups and roundtables on skilled migration, qualification frameworks and global skills recognition.     

Maria Dimopoulos AM is the Chief Executive Officer of the Settlement Council of Australia, the national peak body representing more than 160 organisations supporting refugee and migrant communities. Maria has spent decades shaping national and international conversations on cultural diversity, gender equality, human rights and belonging. Her career spans government advisory, international development and community leadership across the Asia–Pacific. 

At SCOA, she leads policy reform, cross-sector collaboration and evidence-informed advocacy, positioning settlement as a foundation for democratic participation, safety, gender equity and long-term social cohesion. Maria’s work is grounded in lived experience and systems change, with a strong focus on intersectionality and advancing reconciliation through truth-telling and shared responsibility. 

Prof Alan Gamlen is the Director of the ANU Migration Hub and a Professor in the School of Regulation and Global Governance at the Australian National University. Alan is a leading migration scholar with more than two decades of research on global mobility. 

He has held academic appointments at Oxford University (where he completed his doctorate), Stanford University, the Max Planck Society, the Japan Centre for Area Studies, Monash University and Victoria University of Wellington. He was Founding Editor-in-Chief of Migration Studies (Oxford University Press) from 2010 to 2020 and served as Director of the Australian Population and Migration Research Centre in 2016–17. 

Alan is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and a member of the ARC College of Experts, advising governments and international organisations.

Laura is the Chief Executive Officer of Bendigo Kangan Institute, comprising Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VETASSESS and eWorks. She commenced in the role in October 2025. A proven Victorian TAFE leader, Laura previously led TAFE Gippsland through a period of strategic growth and strengthened sector impact, reflected in her election to the TAFE Directors Australia and Victorian TAFE Association boards. 

She has led organisation-wide business and digital transformation, influenced government and built strong industry and community partnerships. Her experience also includes Interim CEO at Box Hill Institute and Executive Director, Strategy & Corporate Services, leading major ICT and enterprise change programs. 

 Laura is a values-driven leader focused on collaboration and delivering outcomes for industry, community and students. 

Dane Moores is the Chief of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Settlement Services International, leading efforts to drive systemic change and a more inclusive and equitable Australia. He oversees policy and research, advocacy campaigns, media and communications, and government and stakeholder engagement, focused on addressing the root causes of inequality and progressing policy reform. 

Dane leads national advocacy alliances including the Billion Dollar Benefit coalition and the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, aimed at reducing employment barriers so migrants can work at their full potential and contribute up to $9 billion annually to the Australian economy. 

Dane brings experience across government, consulting and the not-for-profit sector, including senior policy roles with World Vision and the Australian Government.

Craig Robertson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Skills Authority, which plans Victoria’s post-school education and training system to support economic growth and jobs. 

Craig brings extensive experience across the vocational education and training sector and government. He previously served as CEO of TAFE Directors Australia from 2017, representing TAFEs nationally, and as Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Department of Education and Training in 2015–16. 

Earlier, he spent more than 30 years in senior roles across the Commonwealth Government, focused on schools funding, employment services and VET policy. Craig holds an Executive Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Education (Primary). 

Sue Sizer is the Head of Industry Education and Guidance at Energy Safe Victoria, the state’s safety regulator for electricity, gas and pipelines. Sue brings more than 40 years’ experience in the electrical industry, including as an electrician, licensed electrical inspector and TAFE teacher. She has held senior education and compliance roles within Energy Safe Victoria for more than 15 years. 

In her current role, Sue oversees the Victorian independent electrical licensing assessment regime, contributes to state and national training programs, and leads the development of industry guidance materials. 

Sue is also leading the introduction of a continuing professional development scheme for electrical licence holders, supporting a safe and future-ready workforce. 

Peter van Vliet is the Chief Executive Officer of the Migration Institute of Australia, the peak body for migration professionals. He was appointed to the role in 2024. 

Peter brings extensive senior executive experience across the Commonwealth and Victorian governments, most recently serving as an Assistant Secretary in the Australian Department of Home Affairs, with responsibilities spanning migration planning, program management and multicultural affairs. 

Peter has also practised as a registered migration agent and led several non-government organisations across the community sector. He serves on the board of Settlement Services International and holds qualifications in arts, governance and migration law.