Conference Committees

James Bennett

Head of Business Delivery & Evolution, IDP Connect

As part of the IDP Connect APAC unit, James is responsible for leading the team supporting the Client Managers' engagement with IDP Connect clients. He also works across the IDP Connect global teams to help evolve, shape and develop new products and services for clients through co-creation and co-design. James Joined IDP Education in 2009 and before that was in the international recruitment team at Monash University.

Honourable Phil Honeywood

Chief Executive Officer, IEAA

Phil has been IEAA's Chief Executive Officer since November 2011. Previously, he was a Member of the Victorian State Parliament (1988–2006), Minister for Tertiary Education, Training and Multicultural Affairs (1996–1999) and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (2002–2006). Since retiring from politics, Phil worked at Stott's Business College and Cambridge International College.

Jane Li

Country Director, Student Services Australia IDP Education

For 19 years Jane has been pursuing her passion of helping international students realise their dreams for studying in Australia. Completing a Masters degree from the University of Wollongong as an international student and working in various roles within the sector, Jane has established a deep understanding of international students' needs and how an Australian education experience could transform their lives. Jane currently heads IDP's student placement and IELTS test operations with a focus to deliver the best service to support onshore international students' needs and guide them to achieve their learning and career aspirations.

Brian Smith

Stakeholder Engagement Manager, IDP Education

Brian Smith is Stakeholder Engagement Manager at IDP Education based in Melbourne Australia. Brian's work focuses on key stakeholders such as Government policymakers, national and international peak bodies, and education providers worldwide.

Kelly Smith

Pro-Vice-Chancellor International, Murdoch University

Board Member, IEAA

Kelly Smith completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Curtin University in 1987. After further study in teaching English as a second language, he taught for 10 years in Japan and then at The University of Western Australia's Centre for English Language Teaching. In 1999 Kelly moved into a role in the administration of internationalisation in the University's International Centre. After completing an MBA at The University of Western Australia in 2000, he worked for a time in the private sector with Study Group before returning to The University of Western Australia initially as Associate Director and then as Director of the International Centre. In November 2015 he took up the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) position at La Trobe University. In 2018 he was additionally appointed as Director of La Trobe's Confucius Institute. He has been at Murdoch University since January 2020 and is currently Pro Vice-Chancellor International.

Professor Simon Ridings

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), Edith Cowan University

Vice President, IEAA

Professor Ridings is Deputy Vice-Chancellor International and Vice-President at Edith Cowan University (ECU). He joined ECU from a career in academic leadership and university business development and is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in the higher education sector. Before his current role at ECU, he held Deputy Vice-Chancellor roles at Curtin University and the University of Canberra.

Jana Perera

Executive Director, Commercial Business, The Gordon

Board Member, IEAA

Jana has over 20 years of experience in the international education sector, holding leadership roles in marketing, business development and project management. Jana is currently in the executive team at The Gordon Institute of TAFE, providing strategic direction and operational management of The Gordon Institute of TAFE's External Engagement function including strengthening links with key industries. Jana is passionate about strengthening links with key industries so that students move straight into employment and implement internship programs so both employers and students can experience the benefits of international students. Jana is a judge in Geelong Business Excellence Awards, Board member of International Education Association Australian (ieaa) and Board Director for Wyndham WynBay LLN.

Josephine Williams

Events and Partnerships Manager, IDP Education

AIEC Conference Manager

Josephine joined IDP in 2013. In her current role as Events and Partnerships Manager, Josephine manages the Events team and oversees the AIEC and other IDP events. Prior to IDP, Josephine worked as a bid manager for the Melbourne Convention Bureau and as an Event Coordinator at a professional organising agency. She has also worked in English Language teaching and public relations in Korea, and as a translator in Canada. 

Stephen Biggs

Executive Director, DE International (Education Queensland International)

AIEC Track Chair, Schools (SCH)

Stephen Biggs has a career spanning 30 years in the Queensland State Government.  For the past five years, Stephen has been Executive Director of DE International, providing short and longer-term education programs to over 22,000 international school students in Queensland state schools each year.  DE International also facilitates student exchange, study tours, professional visits, and scholarship programs.  Previously, Stephen held senior roles in Trade and Investment Queensland for 10 years including Overseas Market Development, Queensland Education and Training International and International Operations divisions.  Earlier in his career, Stephen led rural community economic development initiatives and worked in commodities marketing. 

Charlotte Long

Head Student Success, UNSW

Deputy Convenor, IEAA Student Life Network

AIEC Track Chair, Students (STU)

Charlotte Long has almost 20 years of experience in international education, advocating for and supporting the international student experience in ELICOS, pathways and universities. Charlotte is committed to putting students first and partnering with them to empower the student experience.

Charlotte is a collaborator who loves learning from, and working with, colleagues in accommodation, education agents, government, and community. She is the IEAA Deputy Convener, and utilises her expertise to emhance the international student experience, both onshore and offshore, and enable authentic senses of belonging.   

Jana Perera

Executive Director, Commercial Business, The Gordon

Board Member, IEAA

AIEC Track Chair, Vocational education and training (VET)

Jana has over 20 years of experience in the international education sector, holding leadership roles in marketing, business development and project management. Jana is currently in the executive team at The Gordon Institute of TAFE, providing strategic direction and operational management of The Gordon Institute of TAFE's External Engagement function including strengthening links with key industries. Jana is passionate about strengthening links with key industries so that students move straight into employment and implement internship programs so both employers and students can experience the benefits of international students. Jana is a judge in Geelong Business Excellence Awards, Board member of International Education Association Australian (ieaa) and Board Director for Wyndham WynBay LLN.

Andrew Foley

College Director & Principal La Trobe Operations, La Trobe College Australia

Convener, IEAA Pathways Network

AIEC Track Chair, Pathways (PATH)

Andrew is the College Director and Principal of La Trobe College, the pathway provider for La Trobe University. He has worked in international education for over two decades in various roles, including teacher, ELICOS Director of Studies, pathways College Director, and he hopes, as a good colleague and mentor. Recently he has appreciated the opportunity to give something back to the sector through his involvement in the IEAA Pathways Network, of which he is the Convenor. Andrew has undertaken postgraduate studies in linguistics and business administration and has also worked overseas, including Spain and Cambodia.

Louise Goold

Director, Murray-Goold International

Director, Development and External Relations, Faculty of Education, Monash University

AIEC Program Chair

AIEC Track Chair, Business development and strategy (BD&S)

Louise Goold is Director Development and External Relations at the Faculty of Education at Monash University, a role that encompasses national and global engagement responsibilities. Louise has been an international education professional for more than 25 years and has been at the forefront of change as our profession has grown and developed. She has extensive experience in the field within the public and private sectors. She has held several senior positions including with AusAID, almost 10 years as International Director at Flinders University, two years as Education Manager with the British Council in Australia, and three years as Director of the Centre for Global Programs at Swinburne University. Louise has also consulted privately in international education for more than 18 years via her company, Murray-Goold International. For the past 15 years, she has been the Program Chair for the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC).

George Hernandez

Founder and CEO, Sofiri Pty Ltd

Convener, IEAA Marketing & Recruitment

AIEC Track Chair, Marketing (MKT)

George is a technologist and student recruitment and marketing professional with 18+ years of experience in advertising, media, sales, design and digital marketing. He has worked in the education sector for over nine years in different roles, including marketing leadership positions in two Australian universities and practice lead with the higher education consulting group servicing universities in three continents. He founded Sofiri in 2016 and currently works as its CEO. George holds a Master of International Business and before working in Australia, also worked in the US and LATAM. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. He is the Convenor of the IEAA Marketing and Recruitment network.

Alison White

Deputy Convener, IEAA Scholarships and Fellowships Network

AIEC Track Chair, Scholarships and fellowships (S&F)

Alison has 20 years of experience in higher education, focusing on international education and scholarships. Her former roles include Team Leader, Graduate Research Scholarships at the University of Adelaide, and Program Manager of the Defence Cooperation Scholarship Program at Scope Global. In her role at Scope, Alison managed all operational responsibilities for the DCSP, which included: stakeholder engagement, student support (including academic intervention and critical incident management), university admissions, and monitoring and evaluation.

In addition, Alison held several roles relating to international education and scholarship management at the University of Adelaide, working there for a total of almost 12 years (2001–2011 and 2019–2021).

Damir Mitric

Learning Design Manager | Digital Learning
Melbourne Business School

Convener, IEAA Teaching & Learning Network

AIEC Track Chair, Teaching and learning (T&L)

Damir has over a decade of global experience working in Higher Education from professional, consultancy and academic roles. He initiated and managed significant innovative multi-channel curriculum embedded learning support programs and resources – including enrichment, engagement, and transition. He led and implemented large scale strategic transformation projects, including curriculum redevelopment for blended and online learning, professional learning for digital teaching, and holistic internationalisation of the curriculum. Damir is the Senior Learning Designer in the School of Business and Law at RMIT University, Convener of IEAA's Teaching and Learning Network and Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Arts, Social Science and Commerce at La Trobe University. He is the Convenor of the IEAA Teaching and Learning community network.

Peter Harris

Chief Officer Partnerships and Growth, UTS College

Convener, IEAA Transnational Education Network

AIEC Track Chair, Transnational education (TNE)

Peter leads UTS College market and business development strategy as part of the Executive. As Chief Officer Partnerships and Growth, he is responsible for all marketing, student recruitment, transnational education (TNE) partnerships and product and business development. He is supported by Sydney staff and teams in China, Vietnam, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia. He has overseen the expansion of the TNE program and established partnerships and wholly-owned colleges in countries throughout Asia delivering pathway programs to build capability and increase access for students in their home country.

Peter has been a Deputy Convenor of the TNE Network of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) since 2017 facilitating the annual forum, webinars and sector research.

Peter sits on the Board of UTS College subsidiaries in Australia, China and Sri Lanka and management boards of all TNE partnerships.

Eva Sit

Professional Learning and Events Coordinator, IEAA International Education Association of Australia

AIEC Track Chair, Professional development (PD)

Eva is passionate about events management and has joined IEAA to support the planning and implementation of the Association's professional learning and events program. She has regional, national and international program planning and membership engagement experience, working in roles at the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Energy Networks Australia. Originally from the sunny islands of the Bahamas, she is no stranger to international education.

She gained her master's degree in Australia from the University of Melbourne and her Bachelor's degree from Bryant University in the United States. She has also undertaken language and international studies programs in Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo.

Brian Smith

Stakeholder Engagement Manager, IDP Education

AIEC Track Chair, English language (EL)

Brian Smith is Stakeholder Engagement Manager at IDP Education based in Melbourne Australia. Brian's work focuses on key stakeholders such as Government policymakers, national and international peak bodies, and education providers worldwide.

Paula Soon

Assistant Director, Pathways and Operations, Global Marketing, Digital and Student Recruitment, RMIT University

Convener, IEAA Admissions & Compliance Network

AIEC Track Chair, Admissions and compliance (A&C) 

Paula leads the Pathways and Operations teams at RMIT University whose focus is across domestic and international admissions, pathways, credit and systems.  She is an active member of the admissions and compliance community and is the Convenor of the IEAA Admissions and Compliance network.

Simon Watson

Senior Manager, International Mobility Programs, University of Technology Sydney

Convener, IEAA Learning Abroad Network

AIEC Track Chair, Learning abroad (LA)

Working across most international education sectors for over 20+ years, Simon currently leads the UTS learning abroad team, managing year-long, semester and short programs, and successfully inbound study abroad program. A passionate supporter of global mobility and its value to all graduates, he ensures equity, social justice, and inclusion in learning abroad. He is proud to have fostered growing indigenous participation and is leading an advisory group to the NCP Secretariat, Convener of the IEAA Learning Abroad group. He regularly speaks at Australian and international forums to foster shared learning. Simon also speaks Japanese.

Dino Willox

Director, Student Employability, The University of Queensland Student Employability Centre

AIEC Track Chair, Employability (EMP)

Dr Dino Willox is Director, Student Employability, at The University of Queensland and a Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE. They are responsible for the strategic direction, policy, and services that help students become game-changing graduates. Dino collaborates with stakeholders across curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular spaces, taking a multidimensional approach to embedding employability. Dino is Chair of the Employability Group and a member of the Student Experience Committee at Universitas 21, a global network of universities committed to fostering global citizenship through research-inspired education, student mobility, and internationalisation advocacy. Dino's pronouns are they/them.

Kim Stevenson

Director, Think Business Events 

It's the challenge of achieving individual conference success that keeps Kim motivated even after 26 years of industry experience. With an attention to detail that sets her apart from her peers, Kim is skilled at ensuring each part of the conference puzzle is carefully considered to realise optimal outcomes. With an honest and practical approach, she is skilful at building trusting and open relationships with committees and staff alike.

Josephine Williams

Events and Partnerships Manager, IDP Education

AIEC Conference Manager

Josephine joined IDP in 2013. In her current role as Events and Partnerships Manager, Josephine manages the Events team and oversees the AIEC and other IDP events. Prior to IDP, Josephine worked as a bid manager for the Melbourne Convention Bureau and as an Event Coordinator at a professional organising agency. She has also worked in English Language teaching and public relations in Korea, and as a translator in Canada.