Program Executive for Identity, Communion and Formation

Department for Theology, Mission and Justice

Lutheran World Federation, Geneva

Chad Rimmer is an ordained Lutheran pastor and currently serves as the Program Executive for Identity, Communion and Formation at the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the author of several articles, the book Greening the Children of God: Thomas Traherne and Nature’s Role in the Ecological Formation of Children and the collection of poetry titled, Yellow: Chemopoetry from a Caretaker’s Journey. Growing up in the USA, Chad has lived, served and taught around the world among cultures, lifestyles and languages of multi-religious people in Scandinavia, Scotland, and Sénégal in West Africa.

Louka Parry is the CEO + Founder of The Learning Future and works globally as a speaker, learning strategist and education futurist. He speaks on innovation, leadership and change having worked with thousands of leaders and educators from diverse contexts all across the world, including in high-level policy fora such as the OECD, UNESCO, and the European Commission, and with all Australian States and Territories. A rapid learner, he speaks five languages, has visited over 80 countries, and holds two Masters degrees, one in Instructional Leadership from the University of Melbourne and another in Applied Linguistics, and has also completed executive studies at Harvard and a residency at the d.school at Stanford University. Through his work, he has acquired expert knowledge in leadership, strategy, communication, wellbeing and organisational change and culture. As an education leader, he was promoted to Principal at only 27 years old and in 2012 he was named South Australian Inspirational Public Secondary Teacher of the Year. As CEO of The Learning Future, he is committed to transform learning structures, systems and societies that better empower individuals to develop the key human capabilities that matter most now and into the future. He sits on the Steering Committee for Learning Creates Australia, and also co-leads Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social Emotional Learning and Life Skills, which connects the global education community at the forefront of the future of education and social emotional learning to empower children, educators and communities all across the globe.

Brenda Matthews is a proud Wiradjuri woman living in Bundjalung country in Queensland. She will share a very personal story that will inspire and motivate you. Through her story, Brenda invites people to walk together with deeper connection and understanding.

Dr Majon Williamson-Kefu has a mixed heritage and a background in social sciences, community partnerships and international development. Majon did her PhD research on enhancing the role of learning and teaching around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and perspectives in primary schools through Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. Majon is currently the Senior Manager of Research and Impact at Australians Together, where she works to support the Australian education sector to embed First Nations histories and cultures into classrooms and schools. Passionate about ensuring the next generations has a deeper understanding of Australia’s true histories, Majon hopes her work will contribute to a broader and positive change in our society.

Julianne’s Keynote Session is Sponsored by AON and LCA Insurance

Professor Emeritus Julianne Schultz AM FAHA is the Chair of The Conversation. She was the publisher and founding editor of Griffith Review, and is Professor Emeritus of Media and Culture at Griffith’s Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, and a member of the advisory board of the Gradient Institute. She is an acclaimed author of several books, including Reviving the Fourth Estate (Cambridge) and Steel City Blues (Penguin), and the librettos to the award-winning operas Black River and Going Into Shadows. In 2009, Julianne became a Member of the Order of Australia for services to journalism and the community, and an honorary fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities the following year. She has served on the board of directors of the ABC, Grattan Institute and Copyright Agency, and chaired the Australian Film TV and Radio School, Queensland Design Council and National Cultural Policy Reference Group.