Allyship Conference 2026

Chris Alach leads the International Policy and Defence Branch in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. This branch leads on skilled migration and international training matters such as bilateral relationships with individual countries, multilateral fora such as the OECD and skill migration assessments. Prior to this role, Chris led a number of important VET reforms including improving industry engagement in the VET system, tertiary education and training policy, and developing a new system of VET qualifications.   

Chris has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Western Australia and a MSc (Distinction) in Comparative Public Policy from the University of Edinburgh. 

Sharan Burrow AC has served on the Bendigo Kangan Institute Board since December 2023 and has been Chair since September 2024. 

A globally recognised advocate for workers’ rights, human rights, climate action and a just transition, Sharan was General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation from 2010 to 2022, representing more than 200 million workers worldwide. Prior to this, she served as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 2000 to 2010. 

Throughout her career, Sharan has played a leading role in global policy discussions on employment, industrial relations, corporate responsibility and sustainable development. She has represented workers and civil society at the United Nations, International Labour Organization, G7, G20, World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and has twice co-chaired the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. 

Sharan is currently a Visiting Professor in Practice at the LSE-Grantham Institute, Vice-Chair of the European Climate Foundation, a board member of Novonix and the Green Hydrogen Organisation, and an adviser on Temasek’s Sustainability Advisory Panel. 

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.     

Liam Dillon is the Head of Economics at CEDA (the Committee for Economic Development of Australia), an independent, member-based organisation advancing policy solutions to improve Australia’s long-term prosperity. 

Liam brings experience across public policy, economic research and government. Prior to joining CEDA, he worked at the Grattan Institute, contributing to research on government finance, environmental economics and tax policy, and at the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office providing independent fiscal and economic advice. 

At CEDA, Liam leads research and analysis on productivity, workforce participation, labour market dynamics and economic reform. 

Maria Dimopoulos AM is a nationally recognised leader in multicultural affairs, human rights, gender equality and social cohesion. Her career spans government advisory, international development and community leadership across Australia and the Asia–Pacific, with a strong focus on creating more inclusive institutions and communities.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA), Maria leads the national peak body representing more than 160 organisations that support refugee and migrant communities. Under her leadership, SCOA advocates for policies and programs that strengthen participation, belonging and equity, while advancing evidence-based approaches to settlement and social cohesion.

Maria is widely respected for bringing together policy, research and lived experience to influence how governments, education providers, health services and community organisations respond to Australia's diversity. She is particularly recognised for championing the leadership of migrant and refugee women and for promoting settlement as a foundation for long-term community wellbeing and social inclusion.

Her contributions have been recognised through her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia, the Victorian Premier’s Award for Multiculturalism and the Amnesty International Human Rights Award. Maria is regarded as a leading voice on belonging, intersectionality and inclusive communities.

Mark Egelstaff is the Senior Occupational Recognition Service Lead at the South Australian Skills Commission, where he leads the development and delivery of the Occupational Recognition Service—an initiative designed to formally recognise the skills, knowledge and experience of workers who have developed their capabilities outside traditional apprenticeship and traineeship pathways. 

With extensive experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, project management and workforce reform, Mark has worked across government and the private sector in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Before joining the Skills Commission, he held senior policy and strategy roles, supporting legislative reform, public sector transformation and industry engagement. 

Mark is passionate about creating practical pathways that connect skills, employment and economic opportunity. His work focuses on reducing barriers to workforce participation, recognising existing capability, and helping employers access the skilled workers they need while ensuring skills systems remain responsive to changing workforce demands

Brett Galt-Smith is Manager, Stakeholder and Government Relations at Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI), where he leads engagement with government, industry and strategic partners across the organisation’s education, skills assessment and international activities. He works closely with ministers, government agencies, industry leaders and international stakeholders to advance BKI’s strategic priorities. 

Prior to joining BKI, Brett served as Counsellor (Education and Research) at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, where he supported Australia–India cooperation across education, research, skills and innovation. He has also held senior policy, stakeholder engagement and international relations roles across Commonwealth and state government, working with ministers, public agencies, universities and industry partners to strengthen education and workforce outcomes. 

At BKI, Brett leads stakeholder and government engagement across Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VETASSESS and eWorks, supporting partnerships that strengthen skills development, workforce participation and international collaboration. 

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.

Dr Rocco Guarnaccia is Director, Vocational Education and Training at VETASSESS, where he oversees Skills Recognition Trades, vocational education initiatives and a range of domestic and international workforce development programs. He also plays a leading role in strengthening pathways between skills recognition, training and employment. 

With more than 30 years’ experience across vocational education and training, Rocco has worked as a teacher, trainer, senior executive and registered training organisation co-founder. His career spans the TAFE, university, private and not-for-profit sectors, giving him extensive experience in skills development, quality assurance and workforce capability.  

Rocco holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Melbourne and continues to contribute to the sector through research, teaching and industry engagement. His work focuses on strengthening the role of vocational education in supporting productivity, skills recognition and workforce participation. 

Andrew Giles is the Albanese Government's Minister for Skills and Training and is the Federal Member for Scullin in Melbourne's North. 

He previously served in the Albanese Government as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. 

Born and raised in Melbourne, Andrew is a keen reader and runner and an avid supporter of the Carlton Football Club. Andrew has a LLB (Hons) and BA from the University of Melbourne. 

Prior to his election to Parliament, Andrew worked as a Principal Lawyer in employment law for Slater and Gordon and as a Senior Associate at Holding Redlich. 

Since his election in 2013, Andrew served as the Shadow Assistant Minister for Schools between 2016 and 2019, before serving as the Shadow Minister for Cities and Urban Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs from 2019 to 2022. 

Andrew lives in Melbourne with his wife and two children. 

Betsy Gregg is Operations Director at the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia’s technology sector. She brings extensive experience in workforce development, skills assessment, education and migration pathways, with a particular focus on aligning skills policy with industry needs.  

Over more than a decade with ACS, Betsy has progressed through leadership roles spanning education delivery, professional pathways and migration skills assessment. She has led major transformation initiatives, including digital modernisation programs and improvements to migration assessment services supporting thousands of skilled migrants each year.  

Betsy works at the intersection of government, industry and the technology profession, contributing to workforce development initiatives, skills reform and research that support Australia’s future digital workforce. 

Lucy Gregg is the General Manager, Public Affairs and Communications at AUSVEG, the peak body representing Australia’s vegetable, potato and onion growers. 

Lucy brings extensive experience across the primary industry, export and public sectors. She leads AUSVEG’s engagement with government and industry, developing evidence-based advocacy to address key challenges impacting growers. 

Her career includes advising the Premier of Tasmania as a Senior Advisor within the Department of Premier and Cabinet from 2018 to 2022. 

Lucy’s experience spans export, sales and marketing, biosecurity, quality assurance, freight and logistics, value adding, advocacy and policy, alongside initiatives to attract and retain workers in Australia’s horticulture sector through innovative workforce solutions

Anthea Hancocks is the Chief Executive Officer of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, Australia’s leading centre for social cohesion research and the producer of the national Mapping Social Cohesion study.   

Anthea brings extensive leadership experience across community development, strategic planning, communications, education and business development. Her career spans senior executive roles in private enterprise, government, academia and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and the United States.  

Anthea is a recognised leader in social cohesion and multicultural participation, helping shape evidence-based discussion on belonging, trust, inclusion and community resilience. 

Mel Kay is the Regional Director for Victoria and Tasmania within the Office for Multicultural Affairs at the Department of Home Affairs. She leads engagement with multicultural communities, community organisations and key stakeholders across two culturally diverse states.  

In her role, Mel works closely with community leaders, service providers and government agencies to support positive settlement outcomes, strengthen social cohesion, and enhance community participation. She is committed to fostering strong relationships between government and multicultural communities, helping to ensure that diverse voices are heard and reflected in policy, programs and service delivery. 

Through her leadership, Mel promotes inclusion, belonging and active participation, supporting multicultural communities to thrive and contribute to Australia's social, cultural and economic prosperity. 

Dr Stephen P King commenced a 5-year term as a full time Commissioner with the Productivity Commission in July 2016. Stephen was reappointed for a further 5-year term as a part time Commissioner in January 2022. He was recently a Professor of Economics at Monash University in Melbourne where he also held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics from 2009-2011. 

Prior to joining Monash, Stephen was a Member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), where he chaired the Mergers Review Committee. Previous roles include Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne and a Professor of Management (Economics) at the Melbourne Business School. 

Stephen's main areas of expertise are in microeconomic theory, competition economics, regulation and industrial organization. His research has been published widely, including articles in major international economics journals. 

Stephen is a Professor of Practice at Monash University, a member of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, a lay member of the High Court of New Zealand. He has a PhD in Economics from Harvard University. He received the Distinguished Public Policy Fellow award from the Economics Society of Australia in 2021 for his contributions to economic policy. 

Fiona Letos is the Executive Director, Trade, Global Engagement, International Education and Migration in Global Victoria, the Victorian Government's trade facilitation and promotion agency. Fiona is responsible for driving global engagement strategy and partnerships, administering the Victorian Government Trade and Investment international network of 23 offices, supporting industry and clients to grow the state's exports and position Victoria as a globally connected state, and promoting Melbourne, Victoria as a world class study destination. Fiona is a passionate people-focused leader who enjoys mentoring emerging talent and strives to create an inclusive, equitable and enjoyable work culture. 

Fiona was previously the Director, Study Melbourne and International Education (2020-23), where she led sector policy and strategy, the Global Education Network in key international markets, student welfare and empowerment programs and the Study Melbourne brand. 

In her previous roles in state government, Fiona managed global operations and delivered international policy, programs, and strategic initiatives to drive Victoria’s global engagement efforts. 

Fiona also worked with the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs delivering major international commemorative events and education programs. 

Fiona holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons), University of Melbourne, and a Graduate Diploma (Media and Communications), La Trobe University. 

Jamie Lingham is Chief Executive Officer of Absolute Immigration Group, encompassing Absolute Immigration, Absolute Immigration Legal and Absolute Immigration New Zealand. With more than 25 years of experience across Australia, New Zealand and international markets, he is recognised for his expertise in employer-sponsored migration, workforce planning, compliance and strategic immigration solutions. 

Since entering the profession in 2001, Jamie has advised multinational corporations, ASX-listed companies, government agencies and major employers on complex workforce and sponsorship matters. He is known for his practical, outcomes-focused approach and has led significant immigration compliance, recruitment and workforce planning projects across multiple jurisdictions. 

Jamie is an active contributor to immigration policy and industry advocacy. He serves as the elected Director for Victoria and Tasmania on the Migration Institute of Australia board and is Immigration Liaison Officer for The Employee Mobility Institute’s Immigration Advisory Group. He has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as one of Victoria’s leading immigration agents since 2023. 

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. 

Shamira Madhany is Managing Director, Canada, and Deputy Executive Director at World Education Services, where she leads national efforts to connect global talent to Canada’s economic future.  

With over 20 years of experience—including senior roles in government and the Cabinet Office—she has been at the forefront of shaping policies and systems that enable internationally educated individuals to fully contribute to the workforce.  

A recognised thought leader on immigration, skills, and labour market integration, Shamira brings a systems-level perspective on how organizations can unlock talent, drive inclusion, and build a more competitive and resilient economy.   

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.

Matthew Newton is Director, Professional Skills Recognition at VETASSESS, Australia’s largest skills assessment authority for skilled migration and workforce mobility. He leads professional assessment services spanning more than 340 occupations and works closely with government, industry and professional bodies to support skills recognition and workforce participation. 

Matthew joined VETASSESS in 2015 and has held a series of leadership roles across assessment, partnerships and service development. He is recognised for his collaborative and evidence-based approach to assessment policy, service quality and continuous improvement 

With a background in educational research and teaching in Australia and China, Matthew regularly engages with government and industry stakeholders on skills recognition, migration assessment and workforce development initiatives. 

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). 

Cr Mohamed Semra was first elected to Council in 2024, having built a strong reputation as a human rights advocate and social entrepreneur dedicated to building the leadership capacity of young people across Melbourne's west. He was elected Mayor in November 2025; the first person of Sub-Saharan heritage to hold that title in Australia. 

A Maidstone resident since early childhood, Mohamed is the Founder and CEO of Endeavour Youth Australia and embodies the organisation's aim to diversify the next generation of Australian leaders. He is also Chair of Melbourne Sudanese Youth, a Victorian African Communities Committee board member, and a Humanitarian Affairs Asia peace advocate. 

His previous advocacy roles include his membership of the Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee. 

In 2021, he received the Liberty Victoria Young Voltaire Human Rights Award and the Maribyrnong City Council Youth Leadership Award. In 2023, he received a nomination for Young Australian of the Year and in 2025 he was named Young Victorian of the Year. 

Mohamed aims to build cultural diversity and youth representation in political leadership and improve community participation in local government decision-making. 

His favourite things about Maribyrnong are its people, community connectedness, parks, and the vibrancy of our small businesses. 

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.

Joseph Youhana is Cofounder and President of the Tawasul Foundation. Born and raised in Iraq, Joseph resettled in Australia as a refugee. His lived experience has shaped more than two decades of leadership in the community sector, where he has championed the voices of refugees, migrants, and culturally diverse communities. Throughout his career, he has worked across employment, settlement, humanitarian advocacy, leadership development and community engagement, building strong partnerships between governments, businesses, and grassroots organisations. 

Joseph has held leadership and advisory roles with several national organisations, including serving as a Board Member on the Refugee Council of Australia, a former Executive Board Member on the National Refugee-led Advisory and Advocacy Group, and a Community Ambassador for Melbourne Victory Football Club. He has also contributed to local government through the Hume City Council Jobs and Skills Taskforce, supporting initiatives to improve employment opportunities for residents.  

Joseph continues to lead initiatives that bridge cultures, strengthen community resilience and create pathways for refugees and migrants to participate fully in Australian society. His work is driven by the belief that lived experience, genuine partnerships, and community-led solutions are essential to building a more inclusive and cohesive nation.