Conference Committees

Catania Aviles

Manager, Events (APAC Partnerships) IDP Education

AIEC Conference Manager

With over 17 years’ experience in events, administration, and business management, Catania brings both strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail to her role as Events Manager at IDP. She leads the delivery of the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) and other key partnership events across the Asia–Pacific region, ensuring every project creates impact and strengthens connections.

Her career spans coordination roles with a top-tier global consulting firm and founding a successful performing arts academy in Sydney, giving her a unique blend of creativity, operational expertise, and commercial acumen. Passionate about connecting people and delivering exceptional outcomes, Catania thrives on turning complex ideas into memorable, high-quality experiences.

Dr Vincent Blokker

Head of Partnerships, IELTS, IDP Education

James Bennett

Head of External Engagement, IDP APAC

James Bennett took up the role of Head of External Engagement (APAC) in October 2025. Previously James was the Head of Client Success (APAC) in the IDP Partnerships team. Since joining IDP in March 2009 IDP James has worked in the B2B client and partnerships space and across several company-wide projects. In his current role as Head of External Engagement (APAC) James oversees the B2B Events and Marketing functions in the APAC Partnerships team as well as building engagement for IDP and IELTS across peak bodies, sector partners, and government. James joined IDP from the international student recruitment team at Monash University and prior to that he spent 13 years working in the global student travel industry.

Jon Chew

Chief Insights Officer, Navitas

Vice President, IEAA

Jon Chew is one of the world’s leading market analysts in international education. He is the Chief Insights Officer at Navitas. Jon brings in-depth expertise on global trends in education, built on the rigorous analysis of a wide range of external and in-house datasets. His work is informed by an up-to-the-minute industry perspective, developed collaboratively with a global network of stakeholders, policymakers, and market experts. Jon’s ability to uncover and deliver the stories and strategies behind the statistics makes him a sought-after and influential voice in international education.

Tracy Harris

Principal, Tracy Harris Solutions

Board Member, IEAA

Tracy brings over three decades of leadership experience in international education, spanning universities, pathways, federal government, and the not-for-profit sector.  As Principal of Tracy Harris Solutions, she advises clients on leadership, governance, communication, marketing, and stakeholder engagement. Tracy also contributes regularly to The Koala News. Her past roles include General Manager and Dean at Swinburne College, Executive Director of Global Development at RMIT University, and various public sector positions with Austrade and the Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, including overseas representation.

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.

Rishen Shekhar

Director, Global Recruitment & Engagement - UniSA International, University of South Australia

Rishen is the Director, Global Recruitment and Engagement at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and is responsible for strategic leadership and management of international student recruitment, strategic international business development and global student mobility functions across the university. 

Before UniSA, Rishen held roles with the University of New England (UNE) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) across recruitment, admissions/enquiry (CRM) functions and has worked extensively across South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia and the Middle East. 

External to the University sector, Rishen was previously the Business Development Director of StudyLink Asia Pacific and worked across the University, TAFE and private Registered Training Organisation (RTO) sectors. He managed the implementation of StudyLink admissions, agent management and enquiry management solutions at Griffith University, Macquarie University, TAFE Queensland and across the Navitas network. 

Rishen is an executive member of the Australian Universities International Directors' Forum (AUIDF), an ordinary board member of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), and part of the IDP Connect ANZ Advisory Panel.

A former international student, Rishen is passionate about the value of international education and global student mobility and its impact on diplomacy and employability.

Lucy Williams

Product Manager - Student Essentials and Events , IDP Education

Lucy Williams is a product leader at IDP, shaping global strategies to enhance the student journey from first touchpoint to last. Based in Melbourne, Lucy leads global product teams and drives marketing and commercial partnerships worldwide. With a background in creative and digital producing, she first joined IDP in 2021 to spearhead the digital transformation of its global event technology. Today, Lucy shapes innovative solutions across IDP's essential services to ensure international students have the support they need throughout their journey. 

Catania Aviles

Manager, Events (APAC Partnerships)

With over 17 years’ experience in events, administration, and business management, Catania brings both strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail to her role as Events Manager at IDP. She leads the delivery of the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) and other key partnership events across the Asia–Pacific region, ensuring every project creates impact and strengthens connections.

Her career spans coordination roles with a top-tier global consulting firm and founding a successful performing arts academy in Sydney, giving her a unique blend of creativity, operational expertise, and commercial acumen. Passionate about connecting people and delivering exceptional outcomes, Catania thrives on turning complex ideas into memorable, high-quality experiences.

Rebecca Bendall

Director, Partnership Development Acumen, (Sannam S4)

Convener, IEAA Marketing & Recruitment Network

AIEC Track Chair, Marketing (MKT)

Rebecca is Director, Partnership Development at Acumen (Sannam S4). She has previously held roles as Board Member and President of the Student Accommodation Association, as Director of International Business Development at Torrens University, and as a committee member of ITECA. She has also previously served as an IEAA Board member. 

Christina Del Medico

Director of Learning & Teaching Services, Navitas University Partnerships Australasia (UPA)

Convenor, IEAA Learning and Teaching Network

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

Christina Del Medico is Director of Learning & Teaching Services at Navitas University Partnerships Australasia (UPA). She is a highly effective and experienced learning and teaching expert with a strong practice in strategic leadership in International Higher Education. Christina is committed to delivering results and adopting innovative and responsive teaching approaches rooted in sound philosophical and pedagogical foundations. Christina’s expertise includes building teacher capability, curriculum and digital transformation, innovation and strategic leadership. Christina is passionate about the student experience and successful outcomes for students. 

TBC

IEAA Young Professionals Network

Christine Fyfe

General Manager, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)

Chris brings 20+ years’ experience working across international markets in the VET, Pathways and University sectors to her role at IEAA. Chris’ most recent international education responsibilities have included, but have not been limited to, building up a network of international offices for the University of Melbourne to international program building for Trinity College, The University of Melbourne. Chris is an experienced stakeholder relationship and business network manager and is looking forward to working with the international education community.

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).

Dom Harden

Academic Director, La Trobe College

Convener, IEAA Transnational Education Network

AIEC Track Chair, Pathways (PATH)

Dom is the Academic Director at La Trobe College Australia and has over fifteen years in international pathways education spanning teaching at dual sector universities to leadership roles in Foundation and Diploma programs. Dom is committed to strategic approaches to improve student engagement and success. She is dedicated to advancing staff skills and knowledge in pathways education to further enhance the learning journey for international students. 

Peter Harris

Executive Director Future Students, UTS College

Deputy Convener, IEAA Transnational Education Network

AIEC Track Chair, Transnational education (TNE)

Peter brings a range of experience and perspective from over 20 years in executive and board roles including professional services, government, start-ups and listed companies. Peter brings a range of experience and perspective from over 20 years in executive and board roles including professional services, government, start-ups and listed companies. Peter is Chief Executive Officer for UTS College and has oversight for their strategy for cross-border programs including partnerships in Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, China, Nepal, and Myanmar as well as the assessment and development of new partnerships.

Dr Kirrilee Hughes

Research Manager, IEAA

Kirrilee is an international education consultant and IEAA's Research Manager. She has 15 years of experience in the higher education and schools' sectors and held leadership and strategy roles for global education organisations as well as sessional teaching and research positions at four leading Australian universities. Kirrilee is an IEAA Senior Fellow and has special expertise in Indonesia and broader Southeast Asia.

TBC

AIEC Track Chair, Vocational education and training (VET)

Alexander Reeman-Clark 

General Manager, Student Experience | Kaplan Business School 

Convenor, IEAA Student Life Network

AIEC Track Chair, Students (STU)

Alex Reeman Clark is the General Manager, Student Experience at Kaplan Business School, where he leads a national team of over 80 staff across six campuses. With more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning the sporting, medical, and education sectors, Alex is passionate about creating authentic student engagement and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. 

TBC

AIEC Track Chair, Employability (EMP)

Linda Rust

Manager, Global Learning, University of Melbourne

Convenor, IEAA Learning Abroad Network

AIEC Track Chair, Learning Abroad (LA)

Linda is Manager, Global Learning at University of Melbourne. She has previously held roles at RMIT, James Cook University and Flinders University. Linda has previously served as Convener of the Learning Abroad network.

TBC

AIEC Track Chair, English language (EL)

Linda Vaughan

Executive Director – International Education Division, Department of Education and Training, Victorian Government

AIEC Track Chair, Schools (SCH)

In her role as Executive Director, the division is responsible for leading the internationalisation of education in Victorian government schools and facilitating education-related, government to government linkages and cooperation between Victoria and other countries. Linda has over 13 years of experience in the public service and has held a variety of roles during this time. She has also managed employment programs and held executive positions in the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions in industry development and participation with a particular focus on the manufacturing, food and construction sectors. Linda has an extensive international education background with her first role in the public service being in the International Education Division and prior to that, Linda worked at Deakin University for over 6 years in international focussed roles.

Linda holds a Master of Arts (Aberdeen University) and is originally from Scotland. In her spare time Linda is a St Kilda FC tragic and enjoys the rare wins and occasional finals appearances.

Alison White

Associate Director (International Education), Tetra Tech International Development

Convener, IEAA Scholarships and Fellowships Network

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

Alison White has almost 25 years of experience in higher education, focusing on international education and scholarships. Alison is an IEAA Senior Fellow, and is currently Acting Director of Scholarships at Tetra Tech International Development overseeing Tetra Tech’s extensive portfolio of scholarship and fellowship programs across South-East Asia and the Pacific. Alison held multiple roles in international education/scholarship management at the University of Adelaide over approximately 12 years (2001-2011 and 2019-2021). She also worked for the managing contractor of the Defence Cooperation Scholarship Program for eight years as Program Manager, and has completed short-term engagements and consultancies. 

Andrew Whyte

Professional Learning and Events Coordinator, IEAA

Andrew has more than a decade of experience in managing major events. Starting his career in Canberra, he graduated with a diploma in Event Management from the Canberra Institute of Technology in 2011. The following year he worked as a Venue & Event Coordinator at Old Parliament House. Moving to Melbourne in 2015, he worked as an Event Coordinator at the Australian HR Institute, successfully delivering virtual, hybrid and in-person conferences for thousands of attendees over five years.

Clare Wilson

Director, Operations (Recruitment and International Operations), La Trobe University

Deupty Convenor, IEAA Admissions and Compliance Network

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

Clare Wilson’s career spans over 25 years in the education sector working in Higher Education and TAFE providers in Victoria and Tasmania. She has experience working in international education at providers offering ELICOS, TAFE, higher education and VCE. She has extensive experience working across the prospective student journey and in international compliance and quality assurance. Currently, Clare is the Director, Operations (Recruitment and International Operations) at La Trobe University. 

Catania Aviles

Manager, Events (APAC Partnerships)

AIEC Conference Manager

With over 17 years’ experience in events, administration, and business management, Catania brings both strategic vision and meticulous attention to detail to her role as Events Manager at IDP. She leads the delivery of the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) and other key partnership events across the Asia–Pacific region, ensuring every project creates impact and strengthens connections.

Her career spans coordination roles with a top-tier global consulting firm and founding a successful performing arts academy in Sydney, giving her a unique blend of creativity, operational expertise, and commercial acumen. Passionate about connecting people and delivering exceptional outcomes, Catania thrives on turning complex ideas into memorable, high-quality experiences.

Ariane Dwyer

Conference Manager, Think Business Events 

Ariane is a Conference Manager at Think Business Events with 17 years of experience in the events industry. Seven of those years have been with Think Business Events, during which she has successfully delivered conferences of all sizes across a wide range of industries. Driven by the fast‑paced, ever‑evolving nature of events, she thrives on the fact that no two days are ever the same - something that keeps her inspired and constantly on her toes.

As part of the AIEC team since 2019, Ariane works closely with the team and committee to create seamless, memorable experiences for delegates, focusing on elevating the logistical elements and improving the conference experience year after year, ensuring every conference builds on the success of the last.

Christine Fyfe

General Manager, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)

Chris brings 20+ years’ experience working across international markets in the VET, Pathways and University sectors to her role at IEAA. Chris’ most recent international education responsibilities have included, but have not been limited to, building up a network of international offices for the University of Melbourne to international program building for Trinity College, The University of Melbourne. Chris is an experienced stakeholder relationship and business network manager and is looking forward to working with the international education community.