2026 NEAS Conference

6–7 May 2026 MCG, Melbourne

Intro General info Program Speakers Sponsors Tickets

Adam Kilburn

Chief Executive Officer

NEAS Australia

Adam Kilburn brings over 30 years of experience in the English Language Teaching (ELT) sector to his current role as CEO of NEAS Australia. He has previously held management roles across academic, marketing, and general operations, including managing a CELTA centre and overseeing multi-campus operations in Vietnam, Melbourne and Sydney for respectively universities, TAFE and private entities. With an MA in Language and Literacy and an MBA, Adam combines business skills with a deep understanding of ELT and international education.

Adiba Erfan

Adiba Erfan is a scientist, educator, and community leader dedicated to advancing education, health, and leadership opportunities for Afghan girls and women in Afghanistan and Australia. She is the founder of The Pink Education Foundation, which provides culturally sensitive educational and health programs in highly restricted contexts in Afghanistan, empowering Afghan girls and women through knowledge, confidence, and long-term opportunities. Now, Adiba is a third-year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Melbourne and an undergraduate researcher. Previously a fourth-year medical student in Afghanistan, she conducted research on women’s mental health, co-authoring three academic articles on the psychological impacts of conflict, displacement, and gender inequality. She is actively working to return to medicine, combining clinical ambitions with research and community-based impact. She co-founded the Afghan Turkic Community in Australia (ATCA), serving as women’s representative, leading programs in literacy, language education, and youth and women’s community initiatives. For her leadership, academic excellence, and community impact, Adiba was named International Student of the Year and received the Premier’s Award at the Victorian International Education Awards 2025. Her work continues to empower women and girls locally and globally.

Andrew Parker

Chair

NEAS Australia

Andrew is the Chair of NEAS Australia. He was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Australia until his retirement in March 2022. He joined the New South Wales (NSW) Government in April 2022 and was based in Singapore where he was the Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner leading the NSW Government’s team in ASEAN until April 2025. Andrew’s career included 12 years working in PwC’s London, Moscow and Jakarta offices. He was the Australian firm’s Asia Practice Leader and prior to that, the Asia Pacific Telecommunications Industry Leader. Andrew began his career in the audit business where he spent more than 20 years serving listed and unlisted clients. Prior to his retirement, Andrew was a partner in the Deals business where he provided financial due diligence services in connection with mergers, acquisitions, disposals and capital raising transactions. He was also Chair of PwC Australia’s Public Reports Panel which was responsible for reviewing reports issued in connection with IPO’s and capital raising activities. Andrew’s experience covers a broad range of industries including not-for-profit organisations and businesses involved in international education. He was appointed as a member of the Business Reference Group supporting Nicholas Moore AO, as the Special Envoy to South-East Asia, in the development of the Australian Government’s Southeast Asian Economic Strategy. He was co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Group for the Australian Government’s Blueprint for deepening Australia’s Trade and Investment with Indonesia. Andrew is a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee of SingTel Optus Pty Limited, a member of the advisory boards of the Australia-Indonesia Centre at Monash University, the Cross Sector Partnerships Initiative (XSPI) and the Asia Society of Australia. He has previously been a member of the Executive Committee of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee (AJBCC) and was a non-executive director of China Matters Ltd, Australian Visa Processing Pty Ltd and Aurora Community Television Limited. Andrew has a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia & New Zealand and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Anthony (Harry) Moffitt

Managing Director

Stotan Group

Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt is a former SAS Team Commander and now the lead psychologist and Managing Director of Stotan Group, a human and team performance research and consulting company. He is a director at the Mission Critical Team Institute which works with and for some of the most elite teams in the world. Harry is also a best-selling author of two books – his memoir Eleven Bats: combat, cricket, and the SAS and The Fourth Pillar: modern stoicism and the philosophy of high performance – as well as the lead singer and songwriter for the original punk rock band The Externals.

Bailey Lawrence

E2Language

Bailey Lawrence is the Head of Content at E2Language, where she leads pedagogical strategy and content design for E2Language's IELTS preparation programs and its wider portfolio of English language tests, reaching over three million learners worldwide. A Cambridge CELTA-qualified educator with over 16 years in the Education field, Bailey has taught ESL face-to-face in Guatemala and online to adult test-prep learners around the world. Her teaching sits alongside a decade of professional exam-marking experience at ETS and Pearson, and a background in learning design and curriculum development. Her focus is bridging the gap between the classroom and the test - helping learners build real skills, not just exam technique.

Bharat Sundaresan

Cricket Commentator and Story Teller

Bharat Sundaresan is an award-winning cricket commentator, writer and author, but above all, a storyteller. A familiar voice and face across Australian sport, Bharat hosts a weekly podcast and radio show on Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) and appears regularly on Seven Network covering both cricket and the AFL. During the 2026 AFL season, he will write a weekly column for AFL.com.au as well as host another AFL Podcast. Originally from India and now based in Adelaide, Bharat has covered cricket around the world for more than 18 years. In Australia, he is one of the country’s most recognisable cricket voices, appearing across major television and radio platforms as a trusted expert and media personality — from ABC News Breakfast to The Project and Offsiders. In February 2025, Bharat was the subject of a feature episode of Australian Story on the ABC. World-renowned for his technicolour, flamboyant attire and vibrant on-air presence, Bharat brings colour, depth and humanity to every story he tells.

Brett McGeorge

Director, Marketing & Business Development

AEAS

Brett’s career in schools began with stints as the Head of Marketing at two of Victoria’s leading private schools - St Leonard’s College in Brighton (co-educational), and Trinity Grammar School in Kew (boys). In 2020, just as the pandemic took hold, Brett moved to AEAS as the Director, Marketing & Business Development, and was instrumental in supporting AEAS' sector leadership and advocacy in relation to COVID-19 responses. He has significantly improved and strengthened AEAS marketing across all elements of the business. He holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Linguistics, and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing from Monash University, and his expertise lies in developing innovative and highly effective marketing campaigns, achieving excellent results from a minimum of resources. Having worked in international education for over 10 years, he has a passion for helping international families to find the right school for their student, and ensuring a high quality experience which places the best interests of the student at the heart of every decision. Brett has lived and worked throughout Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom, and has executed marketing campaigns across all of the key recruitment markets for Australian schools. He has a deep understanding of the nuances of each market, and has worked closely with on-the-ground partners to develop tools and relationships to effectively and successfully promote AEAS and schools in these locations.

Cr. Andrew Rowse

Councillor

City of Melbourne

Councillor Andrew Rowse was elected to Melbourne City Council in November 2024. Cr Rowse is the portfolio head for Innovation and Education, portfolio deputy for City Economy and Business, and one of Council's representatives on the Design Excellence Advisory Committee, championing the people and projects that shape Melbourne as a city of possibility. Andrew completed a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Melbourne before specialising in entrepreneurship at the Wade Institute. He went on to lead programs at the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre, helping researchers and founders turn big ideas into real-world impact. Driven by a passion for ideas, education, and entrepreneurship, Andrew is focused on building a city that inspires creativity, backs bold ideas, and creates opportunities for all Melburnians.

Dafi Jenkins

Centre Manager

RMIT Vietnam (Hanoi Campus)

Dafi Jenkins is the Centre Manager of the School of English & University Pathways at RMIT Vietnam, Hanoi. He holds a Master’s in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from the University of Leicester and has over a decade of experience in educational leadership, teacher development, and strategic program management. At RMIT, Dafi leads large-scale English language and academic pathways programs that serve university, corporate, and government partners. His work focuses on curriculum innovation, operational excellence, and data-informed approaches to quality assurance and teacher capability. His professional and research interests centre on teacher education - particularly how reflective practice, coaching, and evidence-based design can strengthen teaching quality and learner outcomes.

Dani Gross

Teacher

University of Sydney, Centre for English Teaching

Dani is originally from the UK and came to Australia in 2010 for what was meant to be a holiday. With a BA in Theatre Studies and Education and over 15 years of experience in the ELICOS sector, Dani believes deeply in the power of education to create connection and possibility. As a neurodivergent educator, she brings lived experience of navigating learning in a predominantly neurotypical world. This perspective fuels her passion for fostering awareness, empathy, and practical strategies to support neurodivergent students.

David Hill

Managing Director

ELT Support

David has worked for over three decades in English language teaching in various countries. He currently lives in Sydney, running an consultancy that helps English language providers of all types and sizes with curriculum, assessment, compliance and related areas. He has also written a number of coursebooks used around the world and worked with various international exams in test writing and examining.

David Ferguson

Deputy Principal ‑ International & Accommodation

John Paul International College

[email protected]

David Ferguson is Deputy Principal – International and Accommodation Operations at John Paul College in Queensland Australia, where he leads one of Australia's largest school-based international student programs, supporting over 250 students across boarding, homestay, and day student arrangements. With 10 years at the College, David serves as an executive member responsible for the strategic direction of international operations, including John Paul International College's curriculum licensing initiatives. A qualified secondary school teacher and TESOL educator, David brings extensive experience across schools, universities, and language school settings in Australia and abroad. He holds postgraduate qualifications in both education and business, combining pedagogical expertise with strategic planning and implementation capabilities. David's work focuses on creating sustainable, research-driven approaches to international education that deliver measurable student outcomes while maintaining operational excellence.

Diego Luna Alamilla

International Student of the Year Award (NW)

Diego Luna Alamilla is an international student at IKON Institute of the Bachelors on Counseling and Psychotherapy and Diploma of Counselling graduate from the Australian Learning Group (ALG), recognised for his compassion, leadership, and commitment to mental health and inclusivity. He works a Strength Based Counselor in over 150+ schools across NSW. He has made an outstanding impact in the community for the last 5 years. Diego’s efforts, including volunteering at youth centers and his ongoing work with MyStrengthsAustralia, bridge the gap for young people in need and foster a sense of hope and belonging.

Eric Zhang

CEO

Australian Institute of Language

Eric Zhang is the Founder and CEO of Australian Institute of Language (AIL), where he leads strategic growth and academic innovation across VET, ELICOS, and secondary pathway programs. With over 15 years of experience in international education, he specialises in policy and compliance, oversees operations, and manages the delivery of high-stakes English language assessments. He works closely with schools, agents, and partners, actively building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships while developing high-quality ELICOS and VET programs.

Geoff Denison

President

Student Accommodation Association

Geoff is the sitting President of the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) and Director Accommodation Services at Adelaide University. Geoff began his career working in international hotels in Australia and Japan before applying his accommodation management skills to operating one of Australia’s first commercial (non-collegiate) student accommodation properties in Sydney. He later transitioned from managing commercial student accommodation to operating university managed student housing. His project development experience includes the planning, delivery and establishment of large-scale student housing in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia, and as a consultant, on campus student accommodation in Asia and the Middle East. Geoff is a strong advocate for education providers demonstrating a genuine commitment to student wellbeing and pastoral care through access to quality student accommodation and the role student accommodation plays in enhancing a student’s education experience.

Gregory Simmons

Acting Executive Director, Integrity and Compliance

Australian Skills Quality Authority

Greg Simmons is the Executive Director responsible for Integrity and Compliance at the Australian Skills Quality Authority, where he leads intelligence, compliance and enforcement functions to protect the integrity of Australia’s vocational education and training system. Greg has held senior leadership roles across both national education regulators—ASQA and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency—spanning intelligence, regulatory enforcement, data and risk analytics, policy, and governance. With more than two decades of experience across Commonwealth regulation and higher education, his career combines deep technical expertise with practical regulatory leadership, including extensive work with partner agencies to address complex and systemic integrity risks.

Hugh Leong

Associate Executive Dean

AEMG ACADEMY PTY LTD

Associate Professor Hugh Leong is the Dean of the College of Academic Language at the Australia Institute of Future Education (AIFE) and Associate Executive Dean of the Graduate Institute. He provides academic leadership across transnational English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and pathway programs in partnership with universities in China and internationally. His work focuses on curriculum design, quality assurance, and academic governance, with particular expertise in higher education program development, transnational education management, and teacher professional development. Hugh has led large-scale curriculum renewal initiatives and cross-border collaborations to strengthen student pathways and academic outcomes. He is actively engaged in scholarship of teaching and learning and is committed to advancing inclusive, high-quality English language education in global contexts.

James Holden

Head of Institutional Engagement, ANZ

Duolingo English Test

James is a language educator and international education specialist who has taught in five countries and speaks four languages. Having worked closely with learners across a range of settings, including rural and remote communities, he brings a grounded perspective on the real-world pressures that shape language learning, and a strong belief that access to opportunity should not be limited by geography, cost, or circumstance. His experience spans the international education sector, including roles across TAFE, secondary schools, skilled migration programs, government, and EdTech. In his current role, James leads institutional engagement for the Duolingo English Test across Australia and New Zealand, working with universities, governments, and education providers to expand access to fair, scalable language assessment.

Jason Yang

Group Academic Director

Charlton Brown

Jason is a strategic and results-driven Executive Leader with over 15 years of experience in Australia's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and Higher Education sectors. Currently serving as Group Executive Director (Academic) at NIET Group, he oversees corporate business strategy, academic compliance, and financial performance across the organisation. Jason holds deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks including ASQA, CRICOS, ESOS, and ELICOS standards, and is known for his ability to drive institutional growth while maintaining rigorous governance. A skilled faculty leader and stakeholder engager, he is passionate about improving student retention and delivering long-term educational success.

Jen Bahen

Executive Director, Regulatory Operations

TESQA

Jen is the Executive Director, Regulatory Operations for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, a role she commenced in January 2025. Most recently, Jen was the Counsellor (Education and Research) to the Australian Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam, with responsibility to Vietnam and Thailand. Jen has also worked in the sector as the Director for International Education at TAFE Directors Australia, and has a detailed knowledge of Australia’s tertiary education system in domestic and international settings. Jen has previously worked in several positions within the Australian Government, leading policy and program initiatives spanning schools, vocational education and youth engagement. Jen was posted with the Department of Education, Skills and Employment to the Australian Embassies in Beijing and Bangkok, managing the broad bilateral relationship between China and Australia and Thailand and Australia. Jen has also worked in the education sector privately supporting both school and university engagement in China. Jen has lived in Hanoi, Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok, and is passionate about enabling global engagement and exchange in education. Jen completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Melbourne.